Objective: To analyze the difference in blood uric acid levels between patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women of childbearing age, and to investigate the correlation between body composition and blood uric acid levels. Methods: A total of 153 eligible childbearing age patients with PCOS treated at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2018 to March 2022 were selected, and 153 healthy women with normal menstruation were selected as the control group. Fasting blood uric acid levels were measured by venous blood test, and body composition was measured by a body composition analyzer. Group comparisons were made to analyze the correlation between body composition and blood uric acid levels. Results: The incidence of hyperuricemia was higher in patients with PCOS than that in the control group [30.1% (46/153) vs 2.0% (3/153)], with a statistically significant difference (χ²=44.429, P<0.001). Blood uric acid level was also significantly higher in patients with PCOS than that in the control group [(371±98) vs (265±67) μmol/L; t=11.170, P<0.001]. Among PCOS patients, there were statistically significant differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, lean body weight, fat mass/lean body weight, percent skeletal muscle, and visceral fat level between the hyperuricemia group and the normal blood uric acid group (all P<0.001), but no significant difference was observed in waist-hip ratio (P=0.348). The following body composition indicators: weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, visceral fat level, lean body weight, and fat mass/lean body weight in all subjects, the PCOS patients and the control group, were positively correlated with blood uric acid levels (all P<0.01). The blood uric acid level in PCOS obese patients was higher than that in non-obese PCOS patients, and the difference was statistically significant [(425±83) vs (336±91) μmol/L; t=6.133, P<0.001]. The blood uric acid level in central obesity PCOS patients was also higher than that in non-central obesity PCOS patients [(385±95) vs (299±79) μmol/L], the difference was statistically significant (t=4.261, P<0.001). The blood uric acid level in normal-weight obese PCOS patients was higher than that in normal-weight non-obese PCOS patients [(333±73) vs (277±54) μmol/L], and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.848, P=0.006). Blood uric acid levels in normal-weight [(315±74) vs (255±67) μmol/L], overweight [(362±102) vs (276±57) μmol/L], and obese PCOS patients [(425±83) vs (303±74) μmol/L] were all higher than those in the corresponding control groups, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.001). Conclusions: PCOS patients have a higher incidence of hyperuricemia than healthy women of childbearing age. Blood uric acid levels are closely correlated with body composition indicators, such as weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, and visceral fat level. Body composition analysis of women with PCOS could help identify potentially obese people more accurately and carry out individualized treatment, thereby reducing the risk of metabolic abnormalities.
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/complications* ; Uric Acid ; Hyperuricemia/complications* ; Insulin ; Body Composition/physiology* ; Obesity/complications* ; Body Mass Index

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of different numbers of microhaplotype (MH) loci and the introduction of different reference samples on the identification of full sibling, half sibling and differentiation between full sibling and half sibling kinships, and to explore the effect of changing mutation rate on sibling testing. METHODS: First, a family map involving three generations was established, and four full sibling identification models, five half sibling identification models and five models distinguishing full and half siblings were constructed for different reference samples introduced. Based on the results of the previous study, two sets of nonbinary SNP-MH containing 34 and 54 loci were selected. Based on the above MH loci, 100 000 pairs of full sibling vs. unrelated individuals, 100 000 pairs of half sibling vs. unrelated individuals and 100 000 pairs of full sibling vs. half sibling were simulated based on the corresponding sibling kinship testing models, and the efficacy of each sibling kinship testing model was analyzed by the likelihood ratio algorithm under different thresholds. The mutant rate of 54 MH loci was changed to analyze the effect of mutation rate on sibling identification. RESULTS: In the same relationship testing model, the systematic efficacy of sibling testing was positively correlated with the number of MH loci detected. With the same number of MH loci, the efficacy of full sibling testing was better than that of uncle or grandfather when the reference sample introduced was a full sibling of A, but there was no significant difference in the identification efficacy of the four reference samples introduced for full sibling and half sibling differentiation testing. In addition, the mutation rate had a slight effect on the efficacy of sibling kinship testing. CONCLUSIONS Increasing the number of MH loci and introducing reference samples of known relatives can increase the efficacy of full sibling testing, half sibling testing, and differentiation between full and half sibling kinships. The level of mutation rate in sibling testing by likelihood ratio method has a slight but insignificant effect on the efficacy.
Humans ; Siblings ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods*

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare clinically and genetically overlapping disorder caused by mutations in the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) gene or the anti-Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 (AMHR2) gene. Affected individuals present uterus and tubes in normally virilized males and are discovered unexpectedly during other surgeries. Since it is rare and complex, a definitive clinical diagnosis can be missed, and there are no guidelines regarding how to deal with the uterus. In the present study, exome sequencing and Sanger verification were performed for causal variants in 12 PMDS patients. Preoperative diagnoses were made by positive exome sequencing in 8 patients. Of them, 7 patients evoked on the basis of ultrasound indicating bilateral testes on the same side of the body. Twelve different AMH variants (2 frameshift/nonsense, 1 deletion, 8 missense, and 1 in-frame) in 9 patients and 6 different AMHR2 variants (5 missense and 1 splicing) in 3 patients were identified. Seven variants were classified as "pathogenic" or "likely pathogenic", and 4 of them were novel. All but two patients with AMH defects showed low serum AMH concentrations, but all patients with AMHR2 defects showed elevated AMH levels. During surgery, an abnormal vas deferens was observed in half of the patients. Eight patients underwent orchidopexy with uterine preservation. Of them, 2 patients presented complications including irreducible cryptorchidism, and 3 patients developed Müllerian remnant cysts. Three patients underwent subtotal hysterectomy. Of them, one patient had complication of injury to the vas deferens, and one had hemorrhage after operation. This is the first report of PMDS involving a large Chinese population. The present study not only expands the variation spectrum but also provides clinical experience about the management of the uterus.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; China ; Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Ultrasonography

Cerebrovascular diseases have the characteristics of high morbidity, high disability, high mortality and high recurrence rate, which seriously harm human health and increase the national health economic burden. 3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) is a new drug commonly used in clinical treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, and it is also one of the main active components in traditional Chinese medicine such as Angelica sinensis and Chuanxiong. In this review, the pharmacological effects of NBP were systematically summarized. Studies have shown that NBP has pharmacological effects such as antiplatelet aggregation, anti-thrombosis, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, anti-oxidation, anti-cerebral ischemia, anti-brain injury, and anti-vascular dementia. In clinical practice, it is often combined with edaravone, alteplase, fasudil, Xingnaojing injection, and compound Danshen injection to treat cerebral vascular diseases such as stroke, vascular dementia, and cerebral vasospasm, and plays a good synergistic effect. This summary could provide support for the rational clinical application of NBP, and also provide basis for the in-depth study of the interaction of its drug combination.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanistic basis for the attenuation of bone degeneration by edible bird's nest (EBN) in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Forty-two female Sprage-Dawley rats were randomized into 7 groups (6 in each group). The ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX + 6%, 3%, and 1.5% EBN and OVX +estrogen groups were given standard rat chow alone, standard rat chow +6%, 3%, and 1.5% EBN, or standard rat chow +estrogen therapy (0.2mg/kg per day), respectively. The sham-operation group was surgically opened without removing the ovaries. The control group did not have any surgical intervention. After 12 weeks of intervention, blood samples were taken for serum estrogen, osteocalcin, and osteoprotegerin, as well as the measurement of magnesium, calcium abd zinc concentrations. While femurs were removed from the surrounding muscles to measure bone mass density using the X-ray edge detection technique, then collected for histology and estrogen receptor (ER) immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Ovariectomy altered serum estrogen levels resulting in increased food intake and weight gain, while estrogen and EBN supplementation attenuated these changes. Ovariectomy also reduced bone ER expression and density, and the production of osteopcalcin and osteorotegerin, which are important pro-osteoplastic hormones that promote bone mineraliztion and density. Conversely, estrogen and EBN increased serum estrogen levels leading to increased bone ER expression, pro-osteoplastic hormone production and bone density (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION EBN could be used as a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapys for managing menopausal complications like bone degeneration.

Objective:To review the categories of physical activities and rehabilitation exercise for aging people based on the theory and method of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Methods:From the framework and coding of ICF, physical activities, rehabilitation exercise and functional improvement for the aging people were reviewed. Results:There were three typical physical activities: physical fitness, skills and sports, mainly including regular exercises, cognitive amusements, leisure sports activities, recreational sports activities, rehabilitation exercises, etc. Physical activities promoted the functioning of the aging people, including mental function (b1), pain and sensory dysfunction (b2), cardiovascular, blood, the function of the immune system and respiratory system (b4), digestion, metabolism and function of the endocrine system (b5), nerve musculoskeletal function related to movement (b7), the function of skin and related structures (b8), activity (d4), and community, social and civic life (d9), etc., especially body mass index, cardiovascular, physical fitness (muscular strength and endurance, aerobic endurance), balance, flexibility, upper and lower extremities strength, sleep, metabolic capability, cognitive function and anti-aging ability. There were more gains at individual levels, including promotion of subjective happiness, quality of life, reducing depression, risk of sarcopenia, dementia and falling, etc. The environmental and personal factors related to activity and participation in physical activities included the products and technologies (e1), natural environment and man-made changes to the environment (e3), support and interpersonal relationships (e3), attitude, service system and policy (e5), such as urban environment, building environment, street pavement behavior, weather, caregivers, accompany of family and friends, etc. Conclusion:The physical activities and rehabilitation exercise the aged joined include physical fitness activities, skills activities, and sports activities. The physical activities had effects on the rehabilitation of the aged including the function of the body(mental function, pain and sensory dysfunction, cardiovascular, blood, the function of the immune system and respiratory system, digestion, metabolism, and function of the endocrine system, nerve musculoskeletal function related to movement, the function of skin and related structures) and the participation in activities (activities, community, society and civic life). The function of the body works for the health of the aged to promote physical health, mental health, functional health, social adjustment and social well-being.

Air Pollution ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; China ; Humans ; Treatment Adherence and Compliance

ObjectiveLymphatic epithelial cells (LECs) are important links involved in lymphatic metastasis in the microenvironment of cholangiocarcinoma. This study aims to detect the modulation of inflammatory factors and chemokines secreted by LECs after stimulation of cholangiocarcinoma cells, and observe the effects of highly expressed factors on lymphangiogenesis.MethodsThe culture medium of cholangiocarcinoma (RBE, HCCC9810), LECs stimulated by cholangiocarcinoma cell culture medium (CCM), and normal LECs were prepared. Inflammatory factors and chemokines in the culture medium were detected using protein chip. The experiments are divided into the following groups, including a blank control group, CCM group, CCM coupled with Anti-ENA-78 group, Anti-ENA-78 group, ENA-78 group, ENA-78 coupled with SB2252002, and SB225002 group. The relationship between the content of factor and time was investigated using ELISA, while the relation between target factors and lymphangiogenesis obtained by cell proliferation and tubule formation assay.ResultsWe found ENA-78, IP-10, GCP-2, MCP-2, MCP-3, MIP-3a, HCC-1, and Lymphotactin expression increased in LECs supernatant after CCM stimulation. However, I-TAC, MIP-1d, IL-10, MIG, PDGF-BB, and CXCL16 factors showed down-regulation. The secretion of ENA-78 in CCM was relatively low. By ELISA, we found that the ENA-78 protein in RBE-LECs and HCCC9810-LECs gradually increased over time, and reached the plateau phase at the point of 48h. The lymphatic tube forming ability of LECs cultured in CCM was significantly increased compared with that of the control group, and this ability could be partially weakened by ENA-78 neutralizing antibodies. In the exogenous ENA-78 protein group, the lymphatic tube formation ability was as well significantly increased compared with that in the control group, and this ability could be effectively blocked by the IL-8B inhibitor.ConclusionThe increased secretion ENA-78 of lymphatic epithelial cells induced by cholangiocarcinoma may play a role in promoting lymphangiogenesis through the IL-8B receptor.

Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius have similar bioactive components and morphological characteristics, but they are known to have different medicinal values, high-sensitive and accurate method is expected to identify the sources of ginseng products and evaluate the quality, but with a huge challenge. Our established UHPLC-TOF/MS method coupled with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model based on 18 ginsenosides was applied to discriminate the sources of raw medicinal materials in ginseng products, and nested PCR strategy was used to discover 6 novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in functional dammarenediol synthase (DS) gene for genetic authentication of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius for the first time. OPLS-DA model could identify the sources of raw ginseng materials are real or not. SNP markers were applied to identify ginseng fresh samples as well as commercial products, and proved to be successful. This established molecular method can tell exact source information of adulterants, and it was highly sensitive and specific even when total DNA amount was only 0.1 ng and the adulteration was as low as 1%. Therefore, this study made an attempt at the exploration of new type SNP marker for variety authentication and function regulation at the same time, and the combination of chemical and molecular discrimination methods provided the comprehensive evaluation and authentication for the sources of ginseng herbs and products.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between rolling needle pricking-cupping (RNP-C) and traditional pricking-cupping (TP-C) for cervical spondylosis of neck type. METHODS: A total of 96 patients with cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomly divided into an RNP-C group, a TP-C group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, 32 cases in each group. Each group was treated with EA at Jingbailao (EX-HN 15), Fengchi (GB 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Jianjing (GB 21) and RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the scores of NPQ and VAS in each group were all reduced at 2 and 4 weeks into treatment and follow-up ( CONCLUSION TP-C and RNP-C could both improve the cervical pain symptoms in patients with cervical spondylosis of neck type, and improve the overall function of the cervical spine, and the curative effect is similar.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Cupping Therapy ; Humans ; Spondylosis/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome