OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of quercetin against testicular oxidative damage induced by a mixture of 3 commonly used phthalates (MPEs) in rats. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, MPEs exposure group, and MPEs with low-, median- and high-dose quercetin treatment groups. For MPEs exposure, the rats were subjected to intragastric administration of MPEs at the daily dose of 900 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days; Quercetin treatments were administered in the same manner at the daily dose of 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg. After the treatments, serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testicular malondialdeyhde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected, and testicular pathologies of the rats were observed with HE staining. The expressions of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH2 associated protein 1 (Keap1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the testis were detected using immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the rats with MPEs exposure showed significant reductions of the anogenital distance, weight of the testis and epididymis, and the coefficients of the testis and epididymis with lowered serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels (P < 0.05). Testicular histological examination revealed atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic arrest, and hyperplasia of the Leydig cells in MPEs-exposed rats. MPEs exposure also caused significant increments of testicular Nrf2, MDA, SOD, CAT and HO-1 expressions and lowered testicular Keap1 expression (P < 0.05). Treatment with quercetin at the median and high doses significantly ameliorated the pathological changes induced by MPEs exposure (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Quercetin treatment inhibits MPEs-induced oxidative testicular damage in rats possibly by direct scavenging of free radicals to lower testicular oxidative stress and restore the regulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Testis ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Testosterone/pharmacology* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Luteinizing Hormone

Objective:To explore the relationship between 18F-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-42 SUV max of primary gastric cancer and clinicopathological factors of patients. Methods:Fifty-one patients (31males, 20 females, age: 51(47, 65) years) with gastric cancer who underwent 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT before surgical resection in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from February 2022 to January 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinicopathological factors that might affect tumor SUV max (including gender, age, tumor location, pathological type, histological grade, Lauren classification, vascular and(or) neural invasion, programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, pathologic(p)T stage, pN stage and pTNM stage) were evaluated by the univariate analysis (Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test) and multivariate analysis (multiple linear regression analysis). Results:The sensitivity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT in the diagnosis of patients with primary gastric cancer was 82.35% (42/51). The diagnostic sensitivities for early gastric cancer (T1) and locally advanced gastric cancer (T2-T4) were 59.09%(13/22) and 100%(29/29), respectively. The SUV max of primary lesion was 4.90(1.71, 12.51). The univariate analysis showed that SUV max of primary gastric cancer was related to tumor location ( z=-2.00, P=0.046), pT stage ( H=36.94, P<0.001), pN stage ( z=-3.89, P<0.001), pTNM stage ( H=31.49, P<0.001) and vascular and(or) nerve invasion ( z=-5.22, P<0.001), but not related to pathological type, histological grade, Lauren typing, and PD-L1 expression ( z values: from -1.78 to -0.09, all P>0.05). pT stage was found to be a significant independent factor for SUV max in primary gastric lesion by multivariate analysis ( t=2.52, P=0.015). Conclusions:The 18F-FAPI-42 SUV max of primary tumor was related to tumor location, pT stage, pN stage, pTNM stage, and vascular and(or) nerve invasion; pT stage is an independent factor affecting tumor SUV max. The ability of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT to detect gastric cancer is mainly affected by pT stage.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of serum containing Sanwubai San on TGF-β₁ induced epithelial mesenchymal transition （EMT） of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells and its mechanism in vitro based on transforming growth factor-β/Smad（TGF-β/Smad）signaling pathway. MethodTwenty-eight male SD rats （SPF grade， three months） were randomly divided into blank group and Sanwubai low （0.031 25 g·kg^-1·d^-1， ig）， medium （0.062 5 g·kg^-1·d^-1， ig） and high （0.125 g·kg^-1·d^-1， ig） dose groups， seven in each group. The blank group was given the same volume of ultrapure water （ig）. The gavage was performed once a day for seven consecutive days. The serum containing the drug was taken from the abdominal aorta 45 min after the last administration. Cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method was used to detect the effect of serum in Sanwubai San high dose group on the activity of SGC-7901 cells. Changes of cell morphology after treatment with TGF-β₁ and serum containing Sanwubai San were observed by microscopy， and the migration rate and invasion rate of the SGC-7901 cells were detected by cell scratch assay and transwell assay， respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression of E-cadherin， snail， TGF-β₁， Smad3， p-Smad3 and Smad7 proteins. ResultCompared with the blank group， 10%， 15% and 20% high-dose Sanwubai San inhibited the activity of SGC-7901 cells in a concentration and time dependent manner. Compared with the conditions in the blank group， the cells in the model group lost spindle shape， and most cells became round and long. Compared with the model group， the Sanwubai San groups had decreased pseudopodia and small cells with the morphology returning to normal. Compared with the conditions in the blank group， enhanced ability of cell migration and invasion （P<0.01）， lowered expression of E-cadherin and Smad7 （P<0.01）， and increased expression of Snail， p-Smad3 and TGF-β₁ （P<0.01） were found in the model group， with the total protein level of Smad3 remaining unchanged. Compared with the conditions in the model group， the cell migration ability was inhibited in the Sanwubai San high and medium dose groups （P<0.01） after 24 h， and the ability was inhibited in all three Sanwubai San groups after 48 h （P<0.01）， while the invasion ability was enhanced. In addition， the Sanwubai San high and medium dose groups had elevated expression of E-cadherin （P<0.01） and Smad7 （P<0.01）， and decreased expression of Snail （P<0.01）， and the expression of TGF-β₁ and p-Smad3 was down-regulated in the three Sanwubai San groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionSanwubai San could inhibit TGF-β₁ induced EMT in SGC-7901 cells， and its mechanism might be related to the regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

The small molecule nutrients and cell growth factors required for the normal metabolism of chondrocyte mainly transport into the cartilage through free diffusion. However, the specific mass transfer law in the cartilage remains to be studied. In this study, using small molecule rhodamine B as tracer, the mass transfer models of cartilage were built under different pathways including surface pathway, lateral pathway and composite pathway. Sections of cartilage at different mass transfer times were observed by using laser confocal microscopy and the transport law of small molecules within different layers of cartilage was studied. The results showed that rhodamine B diffused into the whole cartilage layer through surface pathway within 2 h. The fluorescence intensity in the whole cartilage layer increased with the increase of mass transfer time. Compared to mass transfer of 2 h, the mean fluorescence intensity in the superficial, middle, and deep layers of cartilage increased by 1.83, 1.95, and 3.64 times, respectively, after 24 h of mass transfer. Under lateral path condition, rhodamine B was transported along the cartilage width, and the molecular transport distance increased with increasing mass transfer time. It is noted that rhodamine B could be transported to 2 mm away from cartilage side after 24 h of mass transfer. The effect of mass transfer under the composite path was better than those under the surface path and the lateral path, and especially the mass transfer in the deep layer of cartilage was improved. This study may provide a reference for the treatment and repair of cartilage injury.
Cartilage, Articular ; Rhodamines/pharmacology* ; Chondrocytes

Objective:To observe the effect of methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) combined with mentalization-based family therapy (MBFT) on clinical efficacy and social function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods:Sixty-four children with ADHD diagnosed in Wuxi Children's Hospital and Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from June 2019 to May 2021 were selected and divided into observation group ( n=32) and control group ( n=32) according to the random number table.Children in both groups received methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets, while those in the observation group were given additional MBFT.The duration of treatment was 12 weeks in both groups.The parent symptom questionnaire (PSQ), swanson nolan and pelham-version Ⅳ (SNAP-Ⅳ) parent Al scale, and Weiss impairment functional scale (WFIRS-P) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 25.0 statistical software.In particular, the χ2 test was used for counting data and the paired sample t test was used for comparison of measurement data between the two groups before and after treatment. Results:(1) All the PSQ dimension scores of patients in the observation group and the control group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the PSQ dimension scores of personality and behavior problems ((1.25±0.15), (0.94±0.18), t=7.484, P<0.001), learning problems ((1.57±0.16), (1.32±0.20), t=5.522, P<0.001), psychosomatic disorders ((0.56±0.11), (0.44±0.13), t=3.986, P<0.001), impulse hyperactivity ((1.76±0.23), (1.54±0.25), t=3.663, P<0.001), anxiety ((0.94±0.12), (0.76±0.11), t=6.255, P<0.001) and hyperactivity index ((1.74±0.19), (1.51±0.16), t=5.238, P<0.001) decreased significantly in the observation group after treatment.(2) Compared with the pre-treatment period, the SNAP-Ⅳ scale scores of attention deficit, impulsivity-hyperactivity and oppositional defiance were significantly lower in both groups after treatment (all P<0.01); and compared with the control group, the SNAP-Ⅳ scale scores of the above three dimensions were significantly lower in the observation group (all P<0.01). (3) All six dimensions (family, learning and school, life skills, self-management, social activities, and risk-taking activities)of the WFIRS-P scale were significantly lower in the children in the observation group after treatment compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), and all the six dimensions of the WFIRS-P scale were significantly lower in the observation group compared with those in the control group (all P<0.01). Conclusion:Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets combined with MBFT can significantly improve the clinical symptoms and social function of children with ADHD.

The vagina contains at least a billion microbial cells,dominated by lactobacilli.Here we perform metagenomic shotgun sequencing on cervical and fecal samples from a cohort of 516 Chinese women of reproductive age,as well as cervical,fecal,and salivary samples from a second cohort of 632 women.Factors such as pregnancy history,delivery history,cesarean section,and breastfeeding were all more important than menstrual cycle in shaping the microbiome,and such information would be necessary before trying to interpret differences between vagino-cervical micro-biome data.Greater proportion of Bifidobacterium breve was seen with older age at sexual debut.The relative abundance of lactobacilli especially Lactobacillus crispatus was negatively associated with pregnancy history.Potential markers for lack of menstrual regularity,heavy flow,dysmenor-rhea,and contraceptives were also identified.Lactobacilli were rare during breastfeeding or post-menopause.Other features such as mood fluctuations and facial speckles could potentially be predicted from the vagino-cervical microbiome.Gut and salivary microbiomes,plasma vitamins,metals,amino acids,and hormones showed associations with the vagino-cervical microbiome.Our results offer an unprecedented glimpse into the microbiota of the female reproductive tract and call for international collaborations to better understand its long-term health impact other than in the settings of infection or pre-term birth.

Objective To explore the sample type and drug resistance characteristics of Streptococcus pneu-monia(Spn)isolated from pediatric patients in Guangzhou district,and their age distribution to offer instruc-tions for prevention and clinical treatment.Methods Spn isolates were cultured and identified according to the national standard procedure for clinical laboratory operation,followed by analysis of sample type and age dis-tribution of pediatric patients with positive isolates of Spn in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Cen-ter from 2013 Jan 1st to 2015 Dec 31st,drug resistance status was determined by MIC test.Results Totally, 1 243 strains of Spn were isolated,which were mainly from pediatric patients under 1 year old(42.80%).Spn isolates were mainly isolated from respiratory tract(72.81%),ear secretions(15.37%),blood(5.63%),cere-brospinal fluid(3.06%)and hydrothorax(2.01%).For all Spn isolates,the resistance rate to erythromycin, tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole was especially high as 94.93%,85.76%,73.53% respectively,with relative high resistance to penicillin G(24.70%),amoxicillin(39.59%),ceftriaxone(24.05%),meropenem(22.85%) and cefotaxime(19.89%),low resistance to quinolone antibiotics(<10.00%),and no resistance to vancomycin and linezolid.Conclusion The major age group of children with Spn infection is infants under one year old in Guangzhou,clinicians should be serious about the high resistant rate of Spn to erythromycin,tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole,the significantly increased resistant rate to penicillin,amoxicillin and ceftriaxone.Clinicians should choose antibiotics rationally according to the characteristics of drug sensitivity for better treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of Goserelin in protection of the ovarian function of pre-menopausal breast cancer patients. Methods Eighty premenopausal patients with breast cancer randomly divided equally into study group and control group. The two groups were compared in terms of the menstrual status and the levels of E2,FSH,LH before and after chemotherapy. Results The menstrual recovery rates of the study group and the control group were 90% and 57.5%,respectively ,with statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.018). In the study group,the serum E2 decreased gradually to the postmenopausal level,and the serum levels of FSH and LH were also significantly decreased during the treatment. While in the control group ,the E2 levels gradually decreased ,but the levels of FSH and LH significantly increased during the chemotherapy. Conclusions Goserelin can effectively prevent the injury of ovarian function caused by chemotherapy.

Objective To explore the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on renal expression of TGFβ1,Smad3 and Smad7.Methods 40 Sprague-Dawley mts were randomized into 4 groups:normal control rats (group A),diabetic nephropathy group (group B),small dose 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D treatment group (0.5 μg · kg-1 · d-1,group C) and large dose 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D treatment group (1 μg · kg-1 · d-1,group D),each group had 10 rats.After 12 weeks,the renal function,blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin and the urine trace albumin content of each rats were tested.Results The biochemical indicators in group B were higher than those in group A,(t =-16.566,P ＜0.05;t =-16.949,P ＜0.05;t =-11.844,P ＜0.05;t =-19.778,P ＜0.05;t =-14.013,P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group B,the biochemical indicators and the expression of TGFβ1,Smad3 mRNA reduced in group C and group D,and the expression of Smad7 mRNA increased (F =37.892,P ＜ 0.05;F =70.068,P ＜ 0.05;F =21.95,P ＜0.05;F =77.619,P ＜0.05;F =37.670,P ＜0.05;F =1062.562,P ＜0.05;F =2463.789,P ＜0.05;F =81.745,P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between group C and group D (t =0.538,P＞0.05;t =1.737,P＞0.05;t =0.671,P＞0.05;t =1.763,P ＞0.05;t =0.997,P ＞0.05;t =1.653,P ＞0.05;t=1.543,P＞0.05;t =-1.313,P ＞0.05).Conclusion 1,25-dihydroxyvitamnin D3 has protective effect on diabetic nephropathy rats model,the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the expression of TGF β1 and Smad3,increasing the expression of Smad7.

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular basis for a CD36 deficiency individual and distribution of CD36 gene mutation in Guangxi population.

METHODSA female individual was studied. CD36 phenotype was detected by monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigens assay (MAIPA) and flow cytometry (FCM). The coding regions of the CD36 gene were sequenced. A DNA-based polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) assay was used to verify the identified mutation. Cell lines expressing the mutant and wild-type CD36[CD36(MT) and CD36(WT)] were established, with the expression of CD36 determined by Western blotting. The distribution of CD36 gene mutation was investigated among 1010 unrelated individuals with the PCR-SSP assay.

RESULTSBoth MAIPA and FCM assays showed that the patient had type II CD36 deficiency. DNA sequencing showed that she has carried a heterozygous mutation T538C (Trp180Arg) in the exon 6 of CD36. Sequencing of cDNA clone confirmed that there was a nucleotide substitution at position 538 (538T>C). Western blotting also confirmed that the CD36 did not express on the CD36(MT) cell line that expressed the 538C mutant, but did express on the CD36(WT) cell line. The novel CD36 mutation T538C was further verified with 100% concordance of genotyping results by DNA-based PCR-SSP assay and 1010 unrelated individuals. No CD36 538C allele was detected among the 1010 individuals.

CONCLUSIONThis study has identified a novel CD36 mutation T538C(Trp180Arg)(GenBank: HM217022.1), and established a genotyping method for the novel sequence-specific primer PCR. The novel mutation is rare in Guangxi and can cause type II CD36 deficiency.

Base Sequence ; Blood Platelet Disorders ; genetics ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; CD36 Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; genetics ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques ; methods ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mutation, Missense ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods