Aim To investigate the anti-acute lung injury(ALI)effect of Sterculiae Lychnophorae Semen(SLS)and its mechanism.Methods The main ac-tive components of SLS and their core targets and path-ways of action against ALI were obtained by network pharmacology methods.Subsequently,molecular doc-king technology and in vitro cellular experiments were applied for validation.Results A total of 19 core tar-gets were obtained,including HSP90AA1,CASP3,TNF,MAPK8 and MAPK14.The mechanisms may in-volve signaling pathways such as cancer,PI3K/Akt and MAPK.Molecular docking confirmed that the key targets of SLS formed a better binding activity with the relevant active ingredients.The in vitro results showed that SLS was able to protect the PM2.5-contaminated BEAS-2B cells,inhibit their NO,IL-1β and TNF-αlevels,and reduce the expression of p-p38 MAPK and p-JNK proteins.Conclusions The study successfully predicts the active ingredients,targets and signaling pathways of SLS against ALI,and in vitro experiments demonstrate that SLS might protect BEAS-2B cells from PM2.5 stimulus-induced inflammation and apoptosis by inhibiting the over-activation of p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways.

Objective:To investigate whether malignant tumors affect the laboratory outcomes of patients in their first controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control study that analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of patients who underwent fertility preservation before chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to malignant tumors, as well as patients with infertility caused by tubal factors who first underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2024. Patients who underwent fertility preservation were designated as the research group, while patients who underwent assisted reproduction due to tubal factors during the same period were designated as control group. After 1∶3 propensity score matching (PSM), 40 patients were included in the research group and 118 patients were included in control group. The ovarian response, oocyte retrieval outcomes, and embryonic development after fertilization in the first COH cycle were compared between the two groups. Results:After PSM, the research group and control group showed statistically significant differences in the gonadotropin (Gn) starting dosage [225.00 (162.50, 300.00) U vs. 193.75 (150.00, 225.00) U, P=0.002], duration of Gn used [10.00 (8.00, 11.00) d vs. 12.00 (10.00, 13.00) d, P<0.001], and average estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day [2 487.00 (1 461.25, 4 090.25) pmol/L vs. 10 738.50 (8 400.00, 16 507.25) pmol/L, P<0.001]. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the total dosages of Gn used between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of metaphase Ⅱ oocytes, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, 2PN cleavage rate, available embryo rate, high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, and available blastocyst formation rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with infertility patients with tubal factors, there is no significant difference in the laboratory outcomes of malignant tumor patients undergoing COH for fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy and radiation.

Objective:To investigate the effects of male body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters and perinatal outcomes following artificial insemination by husband (AIH) treatment.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 5 053 patients underwent AIH treatment at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from January 2017 to February 2024. The study focused on factors such as male semen parameter abnormalities, male sexual dysfunction, female cervical factors, reproductive tract malformations, and unexplained infertility. Patients were classified into three groups based on male BMI: normal weight group (18.5-23.9 kg/m2, n=1 673), overweight group (24.0-27.9 kg/m2, n=2 078), and obese group (BMI≥28.0 kg/m2, n=1 302). The primary objective was to assess the differences in semen parameters and perinatal outcomes among the three groups. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were applied to adjust for potential confounders that could influence semen parameters and perinatal outcomes. Results:Semen volume in the normal weight group and overweight group [4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL, 4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL] was higher than that in the obese group [4.00 (3.00, 5.00) mL], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P<0.001, a P<0.001). The total sperm count in the normal group and overweight group [207.60 (121.90, 341.75)×10 6, 211.80 (119.88, 334.83)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [188.40 (110.96, 323.41)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.007, a P<0.001). The total progressive sperm motility count in the normal group [88.18 (43.63, 163.80)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [75.30 (40.29, 147.86)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.001, a P<0.001). The percentage of forward motile sperm in the normal group [(45.37±17.16)%] was higher than that in the overweight group [(44.03±17.36)%] and the obese group [(43.80±17.21)%], with a significant difference compared among the three groups ( P=0.020, a P=0.016]. In terms of perinatal outcomes, after multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the overweight and obese groups had higher newborn birth weights [(3 389.53±472.65) g, (3 408.57±507.90) g] compared with the normal group [(3 271.32±532.02) g], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.010, a P=0.009). Conclusion:Higher male BMI is associated with decreased semen quality and may increase newborn birth weight following AIH treatment.

Objective:To investigate the mediating role of serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels on the relationship between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes following single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer 14 d post-transfer.Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected data from patients who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between August 2017 and June 2021. Patients were grouped according to embryo quality into good-quality blastocyst group ( n=3 191) and available blastocyst group ( n=2 027). Differences in serum β-hCG levels and pregnancy outcomes at 14 d post-transfer were compared between the two groups. Mediation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to explore the mediating effect of β-hCG levels on the relationship between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes and to evaluate the differences in the incidence of placental-related diseases between the two groups. Results:The good-quality blastocyst group had significantly higher serum β-hCG levels [1 177.0 (1.8, 2 278.5) U/L], clinical pregnancy rate [65.62% (2 094/3 191)], and live birth rate [52.55% (1 667/3 191)] compared with the available blastocyst group [54.4 (0.1, 1 453.5) U/L, P<0.001; 46.13% (935/2 027), P<0.001; 34.19% (693/2 027), P<0.001]. The early miscarriage rate in the good-quality group [13.47% (282/2 094)] was lower than that in the available blastocyst group [19.14% (179/935), P<0.001]. Serum β-hCG levels at 14 d post-transfer showed significant mediating effects on clinical pregnancy rate ( r=-0.126), live birth rate ( r=-0.122), and early miscarriage rate ( r=0.028) in both groups (all P<0.001). The cut-off values for β-hCG to predict live birth in the available and good-quality blastocyst groups were 366.9 U/L and 485.5 U/L, with positive predictive values of 76.28% (672/881) and 82.84% (1 628/1 965), respectively, and negative predictive values of 98.15% (1 114/1 135) and 96.14% (1 170/1 217). The cut-off values for predicting clinical pregnancy were 118.8 U/L and 226.5 U/L, with positive predictive values of 95.43% (919/963) and 98.45% (2 037/2 069), and negative predictive values of 99.72% (1 050/1 053) and 94.89% (1 059/1 116). The cut-off values for predicting early miscarriage were 1 337.0 U/L and 1 162.6 U/L, with positive predictive values of 32.75% (130/397) and 30.18% (150/497), and negative predictive values of 90.89% (489/538) and 91.73% (1 465/1 597). No differences were found in the incidence of placental-related diseases between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:This study indicates that both embryo quality and serum β-hCG levels at 14 d post-transfer significantly affect pregnancy outcomes. β-hCG levels play an important mediating role between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes. ROC analysis demonstrates the good predictive efficacy of serum β-hCG levels for pregnancy outcomes, providing scientific evidence for optimizing embryo selection.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

Objective To investigate the effect of dorsal repulsive axon guidance protein(Draxin)on the migration of trunk neural crest cells during the early development of embryonic mouse spinal cord.Methods Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression characteristics of Draxin in early embryonic spinal cord(8 mice each group);In situ hybridization was used to detect the change of migration characteristics of trunk neural crest cells in early embryonic spinal cord of different types of mouse(5 mice each group);in vitro culture method was used to check the effect of Draxin on the migration characteristics of embryonic mouse trunk neural crest cells(16 mice each group).Resultsβ-galactosidase gene Z(LacZ)gene was introduced when Draxin gene was knocked out to produce Draxin gene knockout mice.β-galactosidase staining was used to detect LacZ gene expression in Draxin knockout embryonic mice,and the result showed that Draxin expression was observed in the spinal cord of early embryonic mice since 9.5 days(E9.5).Draxin expression was obvious in the embryonic mice spinal cord in E10.5 period.In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of Draxin gene in the spinal cord of wild type embryonic mice,and the result further verified the obvious expression of Draxin in the early embryonic mice spinal cord in El0.5 period.Sox10 in situ hybridization was used to detect neural crest cell migration in the spinal cord of embryonic mice in E10.5 period.The result showed that segmental migration of neural crest cells in the early embryonic spinal cord of some Draxin knockout mice was delayed compared with the wild type mice.The effect of Draxin on the migration of wild type early embryonic mice trunk neural crest cells in vitro was tested.The result showed that Draxin reduced the migration distance of neural crest cells in vitro.Conclusion In the early developmental stage of embryonic spinal cord(E9.5-E10.5),neural crest cells migrated exuberant.At the same time,Draxin plays an important inhibitory function in the formation of the specific migration pathways of trunk neural crest cells by promoting neural crest cells migrating away from Draxin expressing regions.

Aim To investigate the anti-acute lung injury(ALI)effect of Sterculiae Lychnophorae Semen(SLS)and its mechanism.Methods The main ac-tive components of SLS and their core targets and path-ways of action against ALI were obtained by network pharmacology methods.Subsequently,molecular doc-king technology and in vitro cellular experiments were applied for validation.Results A total of 19 core tar-gets were obtained,including HSP90AA1,CASP3,TNF,MAPK8 and MAPK14.The mechanisms may in-volve signaling pathways such as cancer,PI3K/Akt and MAPK.Molecular docking confirmed that the key targets of SLS formed a better binding activity with the relevant active ingredients.The in vitro results showed that SLS was able to protect the PM2.5-contaminated BEAS-2B cells,inhibit their NO,IL-1β and TNF-αlevels,and reduce the expression of p-p38 MAPK and p-JNK proteins.Conclusions The study successfully predicts the active ingredients,targets and signaling pathways of SLS against ALI,and in vitro experiments demonstrate that SLS might protect BEAS-2B cells from PM2.5 stimulus-induced inflammation and apoptosis by inhibiting the over-activation of p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways.

Objective:To investigate whether malignant tumors affect the laboratory outcomes of patients in their first controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control study that analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of patients who underwent fertility preservation before chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to malignant tumors, as well as patients with infertility caused by tubal factors who first underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2024. Patients who underwent fertility preservation were designated as the research group, while patients who underwent assisted reproduction due to tubal factors during the same period were designated as control group. After 1∶3 propensity score matching (PSM), 40 patients were included in the research group and 118 patients were included in control group. The ovarian response, oocyte retrieval outcomes, and embryonic development after fertilization in the first COH cycle were compared between the two groups. Results:After PSM, the research group and control group showed statistically significant differences in the gonadotropin (Gn) starting dosage [225.00 (162.50, 300.00) U vs. 193.75 (150.00, 225.00) U, P=0.002], duration of Gn used [10.00 (8.00, 11.00) d vs. 12.00 (10.00, 13.00) d, P<0.001], and average estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day [2 487.00 (1 461.25, 4 090.25) pmol/L vs. 10 738.50 (8 400.00, 16 507.25) pmol/L, P<0.001]. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the total dosages of Gn used between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of metaphase Ⅱ oocytes, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, 2PN cleavage rate, available embryo rate, high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, and available blastocyst formation rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with infertility patients with tubal factors, there is no significant difference in the laboratory outcomes of malignant tumor patients undergoing COH for fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy and radiation.

Objective:To investigate the effects of male body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters and perinatal outcomes following artificial insemination by husband (AIH) treatment.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 5 053 patients underwent AIH treatment at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from January 2017 to February 2024. The study focused on factors such as male semen parameter abnormalities, male sexual dysfunction, female cervical factors, reproductive tract malformations, and unexplained infertility. Patients were classified into three groups based on male BMI: normal weight group (18.5-23.9 kg/m2, n=1 673), overweight group (24.0-27.9 kg/m2, n=2 078), and obese group (BMI≥28.0 kg/m2, n=1 302). The primary objective was to assess the differences in semen parameters and perinatal outcomes among the three groups. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were applied to adjust for potential confounders that could influence semen parameters and perinatal outcomes. Results:Semen volume in the normal weight group and overweight group [4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL, 4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL] was higher than that in the obese group [4.00 (3.00, 5.00) mL], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P<0.001, a P<0.001). The total sperm count in the normal group and overweight group [207.60 (121.90, 341.75)×10 6, 211.80 (119.88, 334.83)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [188.40 (110.96, 323.41)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.007, a P<0.001). The total progressive sperm motility count in the normal group [88.18 (43.63, 163.80)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [75.30 (40.29, 147.86)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.001, a P<0.001). The percentage of forward motile sperm in the normal group [(45.37±17.16)%] was higher than that in the overweight group [(44.03±17.36)%] and the obese group [(43.80±17.21)%], with a significant difference compared among the three groups ( P=0.020, a P=0.016]. In terms of perinatal outcomes, after multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the overweight and obese groups had higher newborn birth weights [(3 389.53±472.65) g, (3 408.57±507.90) g] compared with the normal group [(3 271.32±532.02) g], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.010, a P=0.009). Conclusion:Higher male BMI is associated with decreased semen quality and may increase newborn birth weight following AIH treatment.