Objective:To investigate the association between high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) persistent infection and vaginal microecology.Methods:A total of 53 women were enrolled in the gynecological clinic of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021, including 7 women without HPV and 46 women with hrHPV infection. Among the hrHPV infected women, 24 woemn who did not use any drugs were classified as the observation group and the other 22 women who were given standardized interferon vaginal administration for 3 months were regarded as the treatment group. Vaginal secretions of all women were taken for Gram-stained microecological test at the time of enrollment and at the 4, 8, and 12 month follow-up. HPV turning negative was taken as the end point of follow-up.Results:(1) Women of hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups had more times of abortions ( P=0.180). (2) The hrHPV negative conversion rate was 17% (4/24) in the observation group and 36% (8/22) in the treatment group, but the difference was not significant ( P=0.183). The median hrHPV negative conversion time were 11.0 months and 7.5 months in the observation and treatment groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.001). (3) Vaginal microecology was generally normal at the time of enrollment and at the end of follow-up in women with HPV natural negative conversion in the observation group. While vaginal microecological disorders were more common in women with hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups, including high vaginal pH value, poor vaginal cleanliness, poor grade of Lactobacillus and increased vaginal clutter bacteria, and the vaginal microecological situation did not improve after the 12-month follow-up. (4) In the treatment group, women who turned HPV negative within six months all had normal vaginal microecology when enrollment (5/5). While those who turned negative six months later had a higher proportion of vaginal clutter bacteria (2/3), a poor grade of Lactobacillus (2/3) and a higher proportion of vaginal dysbiosis (2/3). Conclusions:(1) Interferon therapy could shorten the negative turning time of hrHPV. (2) Women with normal vaginal microecology have the ability to naturally clear hrHPV. (3) The vaginal microecological Gram-stain test has limited value in predicting hrHPV clearance, perhaps due to its inability to detect Lactobacillus subtypes.

Objective:To establish a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and to directly observe the histopathological and ultrastructural characteristics of vaginal mucosal barrier after Candida albicans infection and treatment with Lactobacillus crispatus.Methods:Female unmated SD rats were used to establish the VVC model and divided into three groups (normal group, VVC group, and Lactobacillus group; n=6 per group). Lactobacillus group received intravaginal administration of Lactobacillus crispatus suspension, while rats in VVC group and normal group were infused with phosphate buffered solution instead. Vaginal tissues were collected on day 4 post-treatment for HE staining and transmission electron microscopy (to observe ultrastructural pathological changes). Results:The results of HE staining revealed the disruption and desquamation of vaginal epithelium, necrotic epithelial tissues, neutrophil infiltration in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal structure (mucosal layers and thickness) to normal levels, mucosal layers of Lactobacillus group and normal group were 9.50±1.38 vs 10.67±1.03 ( P=0.226), mucosal thickness of Lactobacillus group and normal group were (116.50±12.14) vs (130.33±13.91) μm ( P=0.211). The results of transmission electron microscopy revealed intercellular desmosome rupture, loss of microvilli and glycocalyx on superficial cells, and mitochondrial swelling in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal ultrastructures (mitochondria and intercellular connections, etc.) to normal levels. Conclusions:Fungal infection severely disrupte the vaginal mucosal barrier in rats. Lactobacillus crispatus could restore the vaginal mucosal barrier and epithelial ultrastructures.

Objective:To explore the correlation among sensory information processing, self-regulation abilities, and clinical symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Methods:From December 1, 2023 to May 1, 2024, a total of 73 ASD children aged 3-7 years old meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited, and they were divided into mild group ( n=20), moderate group ( n=26), and severe group ( n=27) based on clinical symptoms.The sensory processing and self-regulation checklist (SPSRC) was used to assess sensory processing and self-regulation abilities. Clinical symptoms of ASD were assessed by the social responsiveness scale (SRS), the autism behavior checklist (ABC), and the childhood autism rating scale (CARS). Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 25.0 software, including Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Abnormal rates of sensory processing across the six domains in ASD children were as follows: auditory (31.51%, 23/73), visual (32.88%, 24/73), tactile (32.88%, 24/73), gustatory/olfactory (32.88%, 24/73), vestibular (24.66%, 18/73), and proprioception (27.40%, 20/73).Abnormal rates of self-regulation abilities across the three domains were as follows: physiological state (38.36%, 28/73), emotional regulation (49.32%, 36/73), and adaptability (31.51%, 23/73).The severe group showed higher abnormal rates in SPSRC domains compared to the moderate and mild groups (all P<0.05). Total scores of each SPSRC domain were negatively correlated with total scores of SRS, ABC, and CARS ( r=-0.648--0.236, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The more severe the impairment in sensory processing and self-regulation abilities in ASD children, the more severe their clinical symptoms. Improving sensory processing and self-regulation abilities may contribute to the rehabilitation of children with ASD.

Objective To explore the clinical value of serum stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)and macro-phage inflammatory protein-1α(MIP-1α)in predicting biliary tract infection after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)stone removal in patients with common bile duct stones.Methods From January 2022 to January 2024,100 patients with common bile duct stones who underwent ERCP stone removal surgery in Pingdingshan First People's Hospital were collected.They were grouped into an infection group(12 cases)and a non-infection group(88 cases)based on whether biliary tract infection occurred after surgery.The general information of patients in the two groups was compared.ELISA method was used to measure the levels of serum SDF-1 and MIP-1α.Spearman method was applied to analyze the correlation between the severity of infec-tion and serum level of SDF-1 and MIP-1α.ROC curve was applied to analyze the value of serum SDF-1 and MIP-1α to predict biliary tract infection after ERCP stone removal in patients with common bile duct stones.Results A total of 36 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected in the biliary drainage fluid samples of the infection group,among which Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 55.56%and Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 44.44%.The infection group showed significantly higher serum levels of SDF-1 and MIP-1α(P＜0.05).As the infection wors-ened,SDF-1 and MIP-1α levels progressively increased(P＜0.05).The severity of biliary tract infection was sig-nificantly positively correlated with both serum SDF-1 and MIP-1α levels(P＜0.05).For predicting biliary tract in-fection,SDF-1 and MIP-1α exhibited AUC values of 0.761 and 0.825,sensitivities of 63.33%and 66.67%,and specificities of 83.33%and 83.33%,respectively.When combined,the predictive AUC reached 0.977,with a sensitivity of 83.33%and a specificity of 98.33%.Conclusions Serum level of SDF-1 and MIP-1α are significant-ly elevated in patients with common bile duct stones and biliary tract infections after ERCP stone removal surgery,showing a positive correlation with the severity of the infection.The combination of these two biomarkers demon-strates excellent predictive efficacy for postoperative infection.

Objective:To explore the correlation among sensory information processing, self-regulation abilities, and clinical symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Methods:From December 1, 2023 to May 1, 2024, a total of 73 ASD children aged 3-7 years old meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited, and they were divided into mild group ( n=20), moderate group ( n=26), and severe group ( n=27) based on clinical symptoms.The sensory processing and self-regulation checklist (SPSRC) was used to assess sensory processing and self-regulation abilities. Clinical symptoms of ASD were assessed by the social responsiveness scale (SRS), the autism behavior checklist (ABC), and the childhood autism rating scale (CARS). Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 25.0 software, including Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Abnormal rates of sensory processing across the six domains in ASD children were as follows: auditory (31.51%, 23/73), visual (32.88%, 24/73), tactile (32.88%, 24/73), gustatory/olfactory (32.88%, 24/73), vestibular (24.66%, 18/73), and proprioception (27.40%, 20/73).Abnormal rates of self-regulation abilities across the three domains were as follows: physiological state (38.36%, 28/73), emotional regulation (49.32%, 36/73), and adaptability (31.51%, 23/73).The severe group showed higher abnormal rates in SPSRC domains compared to the moderate and mild groups (all P<0.05). Total scores of each SPSRC domain were negatively correlated with total scores of SRS, ABC, and CARS ( r=-0.648--0.236, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The more severe the impairment in sensory processing and self-regulation abilities in ASD children, the more severe their clinical symptoms. Improving sensory processing and self-regulation abilities may contribute to the rehabilitation of children with ASD.

Objective:To investigate the association between high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) persistent infection and vaginal microecology.Methods:A total of 53 women were enrolled in the gynecological clinic of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021, including 7 women without HPV and 46 women with hrHPV infection. Among the hrHPV infected women, 24 woemn who did not use any drugs were classified as the observation group and the other 22 women who were given standardized interferon vaginal administration for 3 months were regarded as the treatment group. Vaginal secretions of all women were taken for Gram-stained microecological test at the time of enrollment and at the 4, 8, and 12 month follow-up. HPV turning negative was taken as the end point of follow-up.Results:(1) Women of hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups had more times of abortions ( P=0.180). (2) The hrHPV negative conversion rate was 17% (4/24) in the observation group and 36% (8/22) in the treatment group, but the difference was not significant ( P=0.183). The median hrHPV negative conversion time were 11.0 months and 7.5 months in the observation and treatment groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.001). (3) Vaginal microecology was generally normal at the time of enrollment and at the end of follow-up in women with HPV natural negative conversion in the observation group. While vaginal microecological disorders were more common in women with hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups, including high vaginal pH value, poor vaginal cleanliness, poor grade of Lactobacillus and increased vaginal clutter bacteria, and the vaginal microecological situation did not improve after the 12-month follow-up. (4) In the treatment group, women who turned HPV negative within six months all had normal vaginal microecology when enrollment (5/5). While those who turned negative six months later had a higher proportion of vaginal clutter bacteria (2/3), a poor grade of Lactobacillus (2/3) and a higher proportion of vaginal dysbiosis (2/3). Conclusions:(1) Interferon therapy could shorten the negative turning time of hrHPV. (2) Women with normal vaginal microecology have the ability to naturally clear hrHPV. (3) The vaginal microecological Gram-stain test has limited value in predicting hrHPV clearance, perhaps due to its inability to detect Lactobacillus subtypes.

Objective:To establish a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and to directly observe the histopathological and ultrastructural characteristics of vaginal mucosal barrier after Candida albicans infection and treatment with Lactobacillus crispatus.Methods:Female unmated SD rats were used to establish the VVC model and divided into three groups (normal group, VVC group, and Lactobacillus group; n=6 per group). Lactobacillus group received intravaginal administration of Lactobacillus crispatus suspension, while rats in VVC group and normal group were infused with phosphate buffered solution instead. Vaginal tissues were collected on day 4 post-treatment for HE staining and transmission electron microscopy (to observe ultrastructural pathological changes). Results:The results of HE staining revealed the disruption and desquamation of vaginal epithelium, necrotic epithelial tissues, neutrophil infiltration in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal structure (mucosal layers and thickness) to normal levels, mucosal layers of Lactobacillus group and normal group were 9.50±1.38 vs 10.67±1.03 ( P=0.226), mucosal thickness of Lactobacillus group and normal group were (116.50±12.14) vs (130.33±13.91) μm ( P=0.211). The results of transmission electron microscopy revealed intercellular desmosome rupture, loss of microvilli and glycocalyx on superficial cells, and mitochondrial swelling in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal ultrastructures (mitochondria and intercellular connections, etc.) to normal levels. Conclusions:Fungal infection severely disrupte the vaginal mucosal barrier in rats. Lactobacillus crispatus could restore the vaginal mucosal barrier and epithelial ultrastructures.

Objective: To investigate the differences in enolase and laminin levels in vaginal epithelial tissues between mice successfully infected withGardnerellaand mice not infected with Gardnerella, providing information for further exploration of the correlation between enolase and laminin levels and the incidence of bacterial vaginosis. Methods: Gardnerella strains isolated, purified, and identified from vaginal secretions of patients with bacterial vaginosis were used to infect the vagina of mice and establish a mouse model of bacterial vaginosis. Successful and failed mice was defined as successful and failed groups, respectively. Differential expression of enolase and laminin in the vaginal epithelial tissue of two groups of mice was detected by Western blot. Modeling success rate was statistically analyzed, and the expression differences of enolase and laminin was compared between two groups. Results: One strain of Gardnerella vaginalis infected 10 SPF grade KM mice, 7 mice met the diagnostic criteria for bacterial vaginosis, and 3 mice failed to model, with a success rate of 70%. Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels, and the levels of laminin and enolase in the successfully modeled mouse vaginal epithelial tissue were significantly higher than those in the failed modeling group, with statistical differences between the two groups(P<0.05). Conclusion Enolase and laminin may be involved in the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis, however, further research is needed to determine the mechanisms through which they trigger the occurrence and development of the disease.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) reportedly function as important modulators of gene regulation and malignant processes in the development of human cancers. The lncRNA JPX is a novel molecular switch for X chromosome inactivation and differentially expressed JPX has exhibited certain clinical correlations in several cancers. Notably, JPX participates in cancer growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance, by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for microRNA, interacting with proteins, and regulating some specific signaling pathways. Moreover, JPX may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. The present article summarizes our current understanding of the structure, expression, and function of JPX in malignant cancer processes and discusses its molecular mechanisms and potential applications in cancer biology and medicine.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; X Chromosome Inactivation