Objective To investigate the mechanism by which peripubertal exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)induces reproductive injury in adult male mice through impairment of Sertoli cell function and the blood-testis barrier.Methods A total of 180 male C57BL/6J mice(3 weeks old)were randomly divided into corn oil group(control group),and 5,25,125,250 and 500 mg/kg DEHP exposure groups.All groups received daily oral gavage for 5 consecutive weeks.Ten mice from each group were sacrificed for first material collection when they were 9 weeks old.The remaining F0 generation mice were mated with unexposed adult female mice at a male-to-female ratio of 1∶2 at 14 weeks of age for a period of 2 weeks.The second material collection was completed at 16 weeks of age,with 20 mice taken from each group.A computer-assisted analysis system was used to detect sperm density and motility in 9-week-old and 16-week-old male mice.The average birth body weight of F1 generation pups,survival rate of pups at 4 d after birth per litter,number of pups per litter,and male-to-female sex ratio within the litter were recorded.ELISA was used to detect hormone levels in the serum.Sperm abnormalities were observed using eosin staining.HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in testicular tissue.Immunofluorescence assay was utilized to detect the protein expression of tight junction protein 1(zonula occludens-1,ZO-1)and gap junction protein 43(connexin43,Cx43)related to the blood-testis barrier in testicular tissue,as well as the protein expression of apoptosis-related molecule Cleaved-Caspase3.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Sertoli cell marker SOX9 protein in testicular tissue.TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis in testicular tissue.Comparative toxicogenomics database(CTD)was used to screen for mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(MEHP)induced reproductive damage-associated genes and combined with GO/KEGG and Reactome enrichment analysis to predict possible signaling pathways.An in vitro exposure model was established by treating TM4 cells with MEHP at concentrations of 0,50,100,200 and 400 μmol/L,respectively.CCK-8 assay,flow cytometry and Western blotting were applied to detect the cell viability,apoptosis,and protein expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),and blood-testis barrier-related proteins ZO-1 and Cx43.Results Compared with the control group,the pregnancy rate was decreased from 80.0%to 52.5%,and the total number of pups was decreased from 212 to 125 in the female mice mating with the male from the 500 mg/kg group.Compared with the control group,the sperm density and motility were significantly reduced,and the total rate of sperm abnormalities was obviously increased in the 9-week-old DEHP-exposed mice(P<0.05),and even in the 16-week-old mice,the sperm motility was still in a dose-dependent downward trend(P<0.05).In the 25,125,250 and 500 mg/kg DEHP exposure groups,the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium was obviously decreased,with more cellular vacuolization and notable epithelial atrophy and degeneration.Cell apoptosis in the testicular tissue was enhanced,while the expression of ZO-1 and Cx43 were decreased in the 250 and 500 mg/kg exposure groups.The levels of androgen-binding protein,gonadotropin-releasing hormone,and testosterone in the serum were decreased in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05),while those of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone showed a dose-dependent increase(P<0.05).Bioinformatics analysis showed that 153 genes related to male system diseases were screened out by CTD for MEHP.GO enrichment,KEGG pathway,and Reactome enrichment analyses displayed that the apoptosis signaling pathway was significantly enriched.CCK-8 assay showed that TM4 cell viability was decreased in a dose-dependent manner after MEHP treatment when compared with the control group(P<0.05).Western blotting indicated that MEHP treatment reduced the expression levels of Bcl-2,ZO-1 and Cx43(P<0.05),and enhanced that of Bax in comparison with the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Peripubertal DEHP exposure may lead to reduced sperm quality and reproductive damage in adult male mice by disrupting the blood-testis barrier and activating Sertoli cell apoptosis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) in treatment-na?ve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) .Methods:Clinical data from 68 CLL/SLL patients treated with FCR at Jiangsu Province Hospital (August 2008–May 2021) were retrospectively analyzed to assess efficacy, safety, and survival outcomes.Results:Among 68 patients [46 males, 22 females; median age 55 (47, 60) years], 13.1% (8/61) had a complex karyotype, 32.3% (20/62) had immunoglobulin heavy variable region mutated (IGHV-M) type, 6.6% (4/61) had del (17p), and 14.8% (8/54) had del (11q). Patients received a median of 6 (4, 6) FCR cycles. The overall response rate was 88.2% (60/68), including 47.0% (32/68) complete remissions. Over a median follow-up of 82 (59, 98) months, 66.2% (45/68) experienced disease progression. Median progression-free survival was 56 (21, 123) months, while median overall survival was not reached. The 5- and 10-year PFS rates were 42.6% (95% CI: 31.9–56.8% ) and 28.7% (95% CI: 19.0–43.4% ), respectively. Poor PFS was associated with del (17p) ( HR=5.04, 95% CI: 1.72–14.74, P=0.003), del (11q) ( HR=5.27, 95% CI: 2.11–13.15, P<0.001), IGHV unmutated (IGHV-UM) ( HR=4.11, 95% CI: 1.72–9.79, P=0.001), complex karyotype (CK) ( HR=3.53, 95% CI: 1.58–7.85, P=0.002), β 2-microglobulin >3.5 mg/L ( HR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.37–6.01, P=0.005). In multivariate analysis, IGHV-UM remained an independent predictor of PFS ( HR=8.63, 95% CI: 1.09–68.40, P=0.042). Sixteen patients with IGHV-M and lacking del (17p) or CK had a median PFS of 123 (58,123) months and a 5-year PFS rate of 70.7% (95% CI: 49.7–99.1% ), reaching a plateau after 5 years with no recurrences by 10 years. Common grade 3–4 adverse events included hematologic toxicity (44.1%, 30/68), infection (36.7%, 25/68), and liver dysfunction (4.4%, 3/68). Among 25 patients receiving single-agent BTK inhibitors after FCR progression, median follow-up was 45 (26, 64) months; 36% (9/25) experienced disease progression, with a median PFS time of 55 (27, 55) months. Conclusion:First-line FCR provides durable long-term benefits for patients with IGHV-M CLL without del (17p) or CK.

Objective To analyze the current quality of treatment for hospitalized cancer patients in Bei-jing,identify major issues in treatment practices,and propose improvements.Methods Nine hospitals in Beijing were selected for examination.Expert on-site interviews and medical record sampling were conducted.The"Bei-jing Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Quality Control Checklist"was used to assess the hardware,management,anti-cancer drug therapy,radiation therapy,and surgical treatment during cancer treatment at these hospitals from January to October 2023.The relevant problems were analyzed.Results Among the nine hospitals,two(22.2％)were equipped with laminar flow rooms,and three(33.3％)had intravenous drug preparation centers.In terms of institutional management,seven hospitals(77.8％)had standardized anti-cancer drug prescription authority management,eight(88.9％)had complete emergency plans,and five(55.6％)had oncology specialist pharmacists.Regarding anti-cancer drug therapy,the areas with higher completion rates included pathology diag-nosis support(97.6％),routine pre-treatment examinations(96.3％),adverse reaction evaluation(92.7％),discharge summaries(95.1％),and admission records(91.5％).However,the accuracy of tumor staging before treatment(70.7％)and the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy after drug treatment(76.9％)needed improvement.The oncology specialty significantly outperformed the non-oncology specialty in terms of the accuracy rate of TNM staging(86.0％vs.46.9％,P＜0.001),the completeness of informed consent forms(100％vs.68.8％,P＜0.001),the completeness of drug indication evaluation(96.0％vs.78.1％,P=0.025),the completeness of admission medical history records(98.0％vs.81.3％,P=0.008),the rationality of drug dosage(96.0％vs.75.0％,P=0.005),the rationality of drug infusion time(100％vs.62.5％,P＜0.001),and the rationality of the order of drug infusion(100％vs.87.5％,P=0.010).Although the quality of radiation therapy was high,the subsequent evaluation of therapeutic efficacy(39.3％)requires enhancement.In surgical treatment,the preoper-ative pathology diagnosis support rate(78.1％)and the accuracy of tumor staging(37.5％)were relatively low,indicating issues with incomplete preoperative evaluation and the absence of multidisciplinary discussions.Conclusions There remains significant room for improvement in the quality of cancer treatment in China.It is recommended to standardize tumor staging assessment processes,strengthen entry assessments for non-oncology departments,promote the implementation of multidisciplinary treatment models,and establish a multi-department collaborative management model.Continuous monitoring of cancer diagnosis and treatment quality indicators is es-sential to promote ongoing improvements in cancer treatment quality.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) in treatment-na?ve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) .Methods:Clinical data from 68 CLL/SLL patients treated with FCR at Jiangsu Province Hospital (August 2008–May 2021) were retrospectively analyzed to assess efficacy, safety, and survival outcomes.Results:Among 68 patients [46 males, 22 females; median age 55 (47, 60) years], 13.1% (8/61) had a complex karyotype, 32.3% (20/62) had immunoglobulin heavy variable region mutated (IGHV-M) type, 6.6% (4/61) had del (17p), and 14.8% (8/54) had del (11q). Patients received a median of 6 (4, 6) FCR cycles. The overall response rate was 88.2% (60/68), including 47.0% (32/68) complete remissions. Over a median follow-up of 82 (59, 98) months, 66.2% (45/68) experienced disease progression. Median progression-free survival was 56 (21, 123) months, while median overall survival was not reached. The 5- and 10-year PFS rates were 42.6% (95% CI: 31.9–56.8% ) and 28.7% (95% CI: 19.0–43.4% ), respectively. Poor PFS was associated with del (17p) ( HR=5.04, 95% CI: 1.72–14.74, P=0.003), del (11q) ( HR=5.27, 95% CI: 2.11–13.15, P<0.001), IGHV unmutated (IGHV-UM) ( HR=4.11, 95% CI: 1.72–9.79, P=0.001), complex karyotype (CK) ( HR=3.53, 95% CI: 1.58–7.85, P=0.002), β 2-microglobulin >3.5 mg/L ( HR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.37–6.01, P=0.005). In multivariate analysis, IGHV-UM remained an independent predictor of PFS ( HR=8.63, 95% CI: 1.09–68.40, P=0.042). Sixteen patients with IGHV-M and lacking del (17p) or CK had a median PFS of 123 (58,123) months and a 5-year PFS rate of 70.7% (95% CI: 49.7–99.1% ), reaching a plateau after 5 years with no recurrences by 10 years. Common grade 3–4 adverse events included hematologic toxicity (44.1%, 30/68), infection (36.7%, 25/68), and liver dysfunction (4.4%, 3/68). Among 25 patients receiving single-agent BTK inhibitors after FCR progression, median follow-up was 45 (26, 64) months; 36% (9/25) experienced disease progression, with a median PFS time of 55 (27, 55) months. Conclusion:First-line FCR provides durable long-term benefits for patients with IGHV-M CLL without del (17p) or CK.

Adenomyosis(AM)is characterized by the benign invasion of endometrial tissue and stroma into the myometrium,resulting in diffuse or localized pathological changes.Typical symptoms include increased menstrual volume,prolonged menstrual periods,and progressive dysmenorrhea.In severe cases,AM can lead to infertility.Endometrial receptivity(ER)plays a crucial role in facilitating adhesion,penetration,and implantation required for successful embryo implantation and pregnancy outcome.The impairment of ER due to AM-related factors involves complex mechanisms.This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent research findings on the mecha-nisms underlying ER injury caused by AM over the past three years while highlighting the latest advancements in treatment strategies.

Objective:To analyze the impact of individual and regional level socioeconomic characteristics on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.Methods:This study was a cohort study. Using the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, subjects without depression were screened in the baseline survey, the depression status of the selected subjects was tracked and observed for seven years. Descriptive statistical analysis, multivariate logistic analysis, joint analysis were used to analyze the influence of factors such as gender, personal annual income, education level, urban and rural areas, and eastern, central, and western regions on the risk of depression among middle-aged and elderly people.Results:The 7-year follow-up results showed that the prevalence of depression symptoms in the study subjects was 42.24%; compared with men, women′s risk of developing depression symptoms was significantly increased ( OR=1.782); compared with junior college education and above, middle school (including technical secondary school), primary and lower education levels had a significantly increased risk of developing depression symptoms ( OR=1.476, 2.134); compared with annual income of more than 10 000 yuan, subjects with an annual income of 10 000 yuan or below had significantly increased risk of developing depression symptoms ( OR=1.251). At the same time, compared with the urban area, the risk of developing depression symptoms was significantly increased in the rural areas ( OR=1.389). Compared with the eastern area, the risk of developing depression symptoms was significantly higher in the central and western areas ( OR=1.342, 1.730). The joint analysis results showed that compared with high-income and high-education men, low-income low-education women, high-income low-education women, low-income middle-education women, and high-income middle-education women were at the top four odd ratios for developing depression symptoms ( OR=5.050, 3.662, 3.047, 2.641); compared with men in eastern cities, rural women in the west, rural women in the middle, women in the western cities, and rural women in the east ranked the first four odd ratios for developing depression symptoms ( OR=4.286, 3.216, 2.642, 2.158). Conclusion:Socioeconomic factors at the individual and regional levels have a significant impact on the risk of developing depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults, and mental health management of middle-aged and older adults with low socioeconomic status should be strengthened.

BACKGROUND:Numerous clinical and basic studies have shown that electroacupuncture can improve the function of neurogenic bladder after suprasacral spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on bladder function and connective tissue growth factor expression in rats with suprasacral spinal cord injury. METHODS:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=12 per group):the blank group did not receive any treatment;the sham-operated group only exposed the T8 subvertebral spinal cord;in the model group established,a T8 subvertebral spinal cord transection injury model was established;in the electroacupuncture group,the T8 subvertebral spinal cord transection injury model was established,and electroacupuncture intervention at Ciliao(BL32),Zhongji(RN03)and Sanyinjiao(SP06)was given at 19 days after modeling,20 minutes once a day,for 10 continuous days.After the intervention,the relevant indicators were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Urodynamics:Compared with the blank group,the leakage point pressure,maximum bladder capacity and maximum bladder pressure of rats in the model group increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the leakage point pressure,maximum bladder capacity and maximum bladder pressure of rats in the electroacupuncture group decreased(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining:Compared with the blank group,the bladder epithelial cells in the model group were arranged in a disordered manner,the lamina propria was destroyed,the detrusor muscle bundles were hypertrophied,the muscle fibers were arranged in a disordered manner,and the tissue edema was obvious.Compared with the model group,the bladder epithelial cells in the electroacupuncture group were arranged in a regular and orderly manner,and the degree of bladder fibrosis and tissue edema was relatively reduced.Masson staining:The degree of bladder detrusor muscle fibrosis was severe in the model group and it was lighter in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group.Transmission electron microscopy:Mitochondria in the bladder tissue in the model group were swollen and vacuolated,the morphology of the detrusor muscle was twisted and distorted,and the muscle gap was widened.Compared with the model group,mitochondria in the electroacupuncture group had a slightly clearer contour and were less vacuolated,and the muscle gap was narrowed.Western blot detection:The protein expression of connective tissue growth factor in the detrusor muscle of the bladder was elevated in the model group compared with the blank group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expression of connective tissue growth factor in the bladder detrusor muscle was decreased in the electroacupuncture group(P<0.05).To conclude,electroacupuncture at Ciliao(BL32),Zhongji(RN03)and Sanyinjiao(SP06)acupoints can improve the morphology,structure and function of the bladder in rats with suprasacral spinal cord injury,and the mechanism of action may be related to the down-regulation of connective tissue growth factor protein expression in the detrusor muscle.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of RNA demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)in the ferroptosis in testicular interstitial cells induced by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP).Methods Forty 3-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a control group(corn oil)and 3 dosed DEHP treatment groups(5,250 and 500 mg/kg),and received an intragastric infusion of corresponding agents for 35 d,respectively.After mouse testicular interstitial TM3 cells was treated with 0,100,200 and 400 μmol/L mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(MEHP)for 24 h,corresponding plasmids were transfected to construct Fto overexpressing TM3 cells.Serum testosterone level was detected by ELISA,expression of testicular proteins was detected with immunohistochemical assay,and contents of Fe2+,malondialdehyde(MDA)and lipid peroxides in the testicle were detected by colorimetry.Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation,RT-PCR,and Western blotting were used to detect the level of N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification.Results In the mice exposed to 250 and 500 mg/kg DEHP,the serum testosterone level was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),contents of Fe2+,MAD and lipid peroxides in testicular tissue were obviously increased(P＜0.01),and protein levels of RNA demethylase FTO,and ferroptosis related molecules ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05),while those of transferrin receptor(TFRC),ferroportin(FPN),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)were notably up-regulated(P＜0.05).MEHP treatment for 24 h resulted in remarkably decreased cell viability in the TM3 cells,increased production of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS),reduced mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)(P＜0.01),down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Fto(P＜0.01),and the changes in other ferroptosis related proteins were consistent with the trend in testicular tissue,indicating ferroptosis in testicular interstitial cells.Intervention with ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 or overexpression of Fto significantly inhibited MEHP-induced toxicity and ferroptosis in TM3 cells(P＜0.05),and overexpression of Fto reduced the m6A modification of Gpx4 and Fth1 mRNA(P＜0.05).Conclusion Abnormal m6A modification of Gpx4 and Fth1 caused by inhibiting FTO expression may be the mechanism of ferroptosis in testicular interstitial cells induced by DEHP.

To analyze the current quality of treatment for hospitalized cancer patients in Beijing, identify major issues in treatment practices, and propose improvements.

Objective:To investigate the vaccination status, characteristics and prognosis of patients suffering from a combination of COVID-19 and chronic lymphocytic anemia (CLL) in China.Methods:Clinical data of 328 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who were first diagnosed with COVID-19 and treated in the Department of Hematology of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital between November 2022 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis of data of patients with severe/critical COVID-19 were conducted by applying the binary logistic regression model.Results:The median age of the CLL patients was 60 (24-87) years. 23.5% (77/328) of these patients suffered from severe/critical COVID-19 infection. Univariate analysis of the data demonstrated that a combination of factors including age >67 years ( OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.24- 3.73, P=0.006), diabetes ( OR=2.09, 95% CI 1.05-4.20, P=0.037), chronic hepatitis B ( OR=2.91, 95% CI 1.30-6.51, P=0.010), CLL progressive ( OR=3.79, 95% CI 1.57-9.15, P=0.003) and CD20 antibody-based treatments within three months prior to the COVID-19 infection ( OR=2.79, 95% CI 1.35-5.77, P=0.006) were the risk factors for severe/critical COVID-19. According to the multivariate analysis, CLL progressive ( OR=2.98, 95% CI 1.10-8.10, P=0.033) was an independent risk factor for severe/critical COVID-19 and administration of the BTK (Bruton tyrosine kinase) inhibitor monotherapy might exert a protective effect and influence a positive outcome of the COVID-19 infection ( OR=0.38, 95% CI 0.16-0.90, P=0.028). Among the 242 patients who were followed up until October 2023, 9.1% (22/242) had multiple subsequent COVID-19 infections (≥3), and 2.1% (5/242) had persistent COVID-19 infections (patients with persistent positive test for the SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing until missing follow-up for any reason). The peak value of the anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG titres was observed between three and four months post symptom onset (median: 3.511 S/CO vs 1.047 S/CO, P<0.05). The levels of immunoglobulin A gradually decreased following infection with COVID-19, and its trough levels were attained between two to four weeks post infection (median: 0.30 g/L vs 0.74 g/L, P<0.05). According to this study the mortality of patients suffering from a combination of COVID-19 infection and CLL was 2.7% (9/328), and the main reason for their death was respiratory failure and heart failure. Conclusions:A low rate of COVID-19 vaccination and a high rate of severe/critical COVID-19 infection was observed in the CLL patients. CLL progressive was associated with severe/critical COVID-19. Anti-CD20-based treatments received within the past three months might be a risk factor for exacerbation of COVID-19 infection, whereas a monotherapy with BTK inhibitors exert a protective effect and improve outcome of COVID-19 infection.