1.Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota Influencing Reproductive Function via The Gut-Gonadal Axis
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Li-Li QI ; Jin-Bo WANG ; Xu-Qi HU ; Meng-Ting WANG ; Hai-Guang MAO ; Qiu-Zhen SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1152-1164
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Nutritional status and its related factors among primary and secondary school students in Beijing City
WANG Yan, SUN Bingjie, ZHAO Hai, XU Huiyu, GAO Ruoyi, LUO Huijuan, GUO Xin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(2):188-192
		                        		
		                        			Objective:
		                        			To assess the nutritional status of primary and secondary school students in Beijing City and to analyze the related factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving the nutritional status of primary and secondary school students in a targeted manner.
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Based on the 2021 Beijing Student Common Diseases and Health Influencing Factors Surveillance Project, a stratified random cluster sampling method was used to conduct a physical examination and questionnaire survey on 25 487 primary and secondary school students from September to November 2021. The  Chi square test was used for comparison of nutritional status detection rates, and disordered multi classification Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with students  nutritional status.
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			The detection rates of malnutrition, overweight and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Beijing City were 4.7%, 18.0% and 23.8% respectively. The detection rates of malnutrition, overweight and obesity were higher among male students (5.1%, 20.4%, 29.7%) than female students (4.2%, 15.5%, 17.4%) ( χ 2= 12.23, 101.71, 526.99,  P <0.01). The detection rate of obesity was higher in the suburbs than urban areas(26.6%, 19.8%), and the detection rate of malnutrition was lower in the suburbs than urban areas (4.2%,5.5%)( χ 2=157.25, 23.61,  P <0.01). The results of disordered multi classification Logistic regression showed that the related factors for malnutrition, overweight and obesity were gender, residence, moderate to vigorous exercise ≥60 min per day and lack of sleep( OR =1.70, 1.88,2.48; 1.14, 0.87, 0.67; 0.85, 0.92,  0.81 ; 0.83, 1.08, 1.07); frequency of fried food intake daily was a related factor for overweight ( OR =0.70); whether eating breakfast daily or not was a related factor for overweight and obesity ( OR =0.91, 0.84); academic level (middle and high school) was a related factor for malnutrition and obesity ( OR =1.38, 1.37; 0.77, 1.40)( P <0.05).
		                        		
		                        			Conclusions
		                        			The problem of overweight and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Beijing City continues to be serious, especially among boys and suburban areas. It is recommended that society, schools, families and individuals should work together to improve the nutritional status of primary and secondary school students by adopting a graded and classified approach.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Effects of long-term high-altitude exposure on the composition of gut microflora in different intestinal segments of rats
Zhi-Fang ZHAO ; Xu-Fei ZHANG ; Ning SUN ; Hao LI ; Hai-Lin MA
Modern Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment in Gastroenterology 2024;29(5):552-559
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effects of long-term high altitude exposure on the composition and structure of the gut microbiota in rats in different intestinal segments,and to explore the key affected intestinal segments initially.Methods Six-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group(Control group)and a high altitude exposed group(HA group).The HA group was exposed to a low-pressure oxygen chamber at a simulated altitude of 3500-4000 m for 20 weeks,after which the microbiomes of both groups were analysed using high-throughput 16s rRNA sequencing and core changes in the duodenal,jejunal,ileal and colonic microflora communities were determined.Results The microbial abundance of the colon was significantly reduced in the hypoxic environment of high altitude,the microbial abundance and diversity of the foregut did not change significantly,and the AVD value of the colon was higher than that of the other intestinal segments,and it tended to be more stable after prolonged exposure to treatment in high altitude;At the Bray-curtis distance,the Microbial structure of the ileum and colon was significantly different between the Control and HA groups,whereas the duodenum and jejunum showed no significant changes;The predominant phylum in all intestinal segments was Firmicutes,but the dominant phyla varied in different intestinal segments and treatment groups,with Lactobacillus spp.contributing highly to the changes in the gut microflora;the complexity of the phylogenetic network of the ileum was higher than that of the other intestinal segments,whereas the colon had the fewest phylogenetic interactions;the jejunum and the ileum consisted mainly of abundant taxa,whereas the colon had a significantly smaller proportion of abundant taxa,mainly Conditionally rare taxa.The duodenum differed in taxa composition between the Control and HA groups.Conclusion High-altitude hypoxia can affect the microecological environment of the ileum and colon by remodelling the composition and structure of the intestinal microflora,especially in the ileum compared with the other three intestinal segments.In addition,the ileum is characterised by both lower complexity of the microflora structure and the prominent role of key genera in the high altitude hypoxia study,in which the changes of Lactobacillus spp.are worthy of more in-depth study at a later stage.Therefore,the ileal microbiota of rats may have a higher research value compared with other intestinal segments.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Application of artificial pancreas in treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children
Lihong YANG ; Hai XU ; Linqi HAN ; Zhiqiang WEI ; Yan SUN
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(10):789-792
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the main type of diabetes in children, which seriously endangers children′s health.With the development of technology, the emergence of artificial pancreas has brought new progress for the treatment of T1DM.Artificial pancreas can imitate the insulin physiological secretion of pancreas β cells to control glucose, and achieve close-loop management by accurately regulating insulin infusion through continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump and control algorithms.Here the current clinical studies on the safety, effectiveness and limitations of artificial pancreas in the treatment of T1DM were reviewed.It is expected to provide another choice for children with T1DM.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Correlation between the level of NT-proBNP and cardiorespiratory fitness of individuals following acute high altitude exposure
Ping-Ping LI ; Xiao-Wei YE ; Jie YANG ; Zhe-Xue QIN ; Shi-Zhu BIAN ; Ji-Hang ZHANG ; Xu-Bin GAO ; Meng-Jia SUN ; Zhen LIU ; Hai-Lin LYU ; Qian-Yu JIA ; Yuan-Qi YANG ; Bing-Jie YANG ; Lan HUANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(9):998-1003
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of N-terminal pro-Brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and cardiorespiratory fitness following acute exposure to high altitude.Methods Forty-six subjects were recruited from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University in June 2022,including 19 males and 27 females.After completing cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET),serological detection of myocardial cell-related markers,and multiple metabolites at a plain altitude(300 meters above sea level),all subjects flew to a high-altitude location(3900 meters above sea level).Biomarker testing and CPET were repeated on the second and third days after arrival at high altitude.Changes in serum biomarker and key CPET indicators before and after rapid ascent to high altitude were compared,and the correlation between serum levels of various myocardial cell-related markers and metabolites and high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness was analyzed.Results Compared with the plain altitude,there was a significant decrease in maximal oxygen uptake after rapid ascent to high altitude[(25.41±6.20)ml/(kg.min)vs.(30.17±5.01)ml/(kg.min),P<0.001].Serum levels of NT-proBNP,Epinephrine(E),plasma renin activity(PRA),angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)and leptin(LEP)significantly increased,with all differences being statistically significant(P<0.05)after acute high altitude exposure.In contrast,no statistically significant differences were observed for creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),cardiac troponin I(cTnI),myoglobin(Myo)and norepinephrine(NE)(P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between NT-proBNP at plain altitude(r=-0.768,P<0.001)and at high altitude(r=-0.791,P<0.001)with maximal oxygen uptake at high altitude.Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that maximal oxygen uptake at plain altitude(t=2.069,P=0.045),NT-proBNP at plain altitude(t=-2.436,P=0.020)and at high altitude(t=-3.578,P=0.001)were independent influencing factors of cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude.Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness significantly decreases after rapid ascent to high altitude,and the baseline NT-proBNP level at plain altitude is closely related to cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude,making it a potential predictor indicator for high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Mechanisms of resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam of carbapenem-resis-tant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Xi-Yuan CHEN ; Zi-Ling WANG ; Shuang SONG ; Bo-Yin XU ; Jing-Fang SUN ; Shu-Long ZHAO ; Hai-Quan KANG
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(11):1365-1372
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP),and reveal its mechanism of resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam(CZA).Methods CZA-re-sistant CRKP strains initially isolated from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2021 to September 2023 were collected.The carriage of 5 carbapenemase genes(blaKPC,blaNDM,blaOXA,blaVIM,blaIMp)were detected with gene amplification method and colloidal gold method.The relative copy number and expression level of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP)carbapenemase-producing KP(KPC-KP)was detected with real-time quantita-tive polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),mutation sites of KPC mutation strains were analyzed with whole-ge-nome sequencing,and epidemic characteristics of CRKP and resistance mechanism to CZA were analyzed.Results A total of 73 CZA-resistant CRKP strains were isolated,with 37(50.68%)being KPC and NDM co-producing strains,33(45.21%)NDM-producing alone(23 strains producing NDM-5 and 10 strains producing NDM-1),and 3 KPC-producing alone.KP-2842 strain was identified as ST11-type KPC-33 variant,KP-2127 and KP-2189 strains produced KPC-2.Compared with KP ATCC BAA-1705,the copy number of blaKPC in these strains up-regulated by 1.04-3.86 fold,and the expression increased by 6.66-12.93 fold,respectively.Colloidal gold and PCR methods demonstrated good consistency and the ability to detect the enzyme co-producing and KPC-33 variant.Conclusion In this hospital,the resistance of CRKP to CZA is primarily mediated by the metalloenzyme NDM,with co-produc-tion of NDM and KPC being a characteristic of CRKP.High copy number and expression level of blaKPC-2 also con-tribute to CZA resistance.This study identified the KPC-33 variant for the first time in ST11-type CRKP in Jiangsu Province.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitor for newly-diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia: a domestic multi-centre retrospective real-world study
Xiaoshuai ZHANG ; Bingcheng LIU ; Xin DU ; Yanli ZHANG ; Na XU ; Xiaoli LIU ; Weiming LI ; Hai LIN ; Rong LIANG ; Chunyan CHEN ; Jian HUANG ; Yunfan YANG ; Huanling ZHU ; Ling PAN ; Xiaodong WANG ; Guohui LI ; Zhuogang LIU ; Yanqing ZHANG ; Zhenfang LIU ; Jianda HU ; Chunshui LIU ; Fei LI ; Wei YANG ; Li MENG ; Yanqiu HAN ; Li'e LIN ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Chuanqing TU ; Caifeng ZHENG ; Yanliang BAI ; Zeping ZHOU ; Suning CHEN ; Huiying QIU ; Lijie YANG ; Xiuli SUN ; Hui SUN ; Li ZHOU ; Zelin LIU ; Danyu WANG ; Jianxin GUO ; Liping PANG ; Qingshu ZENG ; Xiaohui SUO ; Weihua ZHANG ; Yuanjun ZHENG ; Qian JIANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(3):215-224
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Causal association between depression and stress urinary incontinence:A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Cheng-Xiao JIANG ; Wei-Qi YIN ; Jing-Jing XU ; Ying-Jiao SHI ; Li WANG ; Zhi-Bo ZHENG ; Rui SU ; Qin-Bo HU ; Jun-Hai QIAN ; Shu-Ben SUN
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(3):217-223
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the causal correlation between depression and stress urinary incontinence(SUI)using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods:We searched the FinnGen Consortium database for genome-wide association studies(GWAS)on depression and obtained 23 424 case samples and 192 220 control samples,with the GWAS data on SUI provided by the UK Biobank,including 4 340 case samples and 458 670 control samples.We investigated the correlation between depression and SUI based on the depression data collected from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium(PGC).We employed inverse-variance weighting as the main method for the MR study,and performed sensitivity analysis to verify the accuracy and stability of the findings.Results:Analysis of the data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen Consortium showed that depression was significantly correlated with an increased risk of SUI(P=0.005),but not SUI with the risk of depression(P=0.927).And analysis of the PGC data verified the correlation of depression with the increased risk of SUI(P=0.043).Conclusion:Depression is associated with an increased risk of SUI,while SUI does not increase the risk of depression.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Construction of iPSC-derived Inhibitory Neural Network Tissue with Synaptic Transmission Potentials
Li-zhi PENG ; Qing-shuai WEI ; Yuan-huan MA ; Jin-hai XU ; Bin JIANG ; Yuan-shan ZENG ; Xiang ZENG ; Ying DING
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(1):18-25
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveDirected differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into spinal cord γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic progenitor cells were implanted into an decellularized optical nerve (DON) bioscaffold to construct a hiPSC-derived inhibitory neural network tissue with synaptic activities. This study aimed to provide a novel stem cell-based tissue engineering product for the study and the repair of central nervous system injury. MethodsThe combination of stepwise directional induction and tissue engineering technology was applied in this study. After hiPSCs were directionally induced into human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) in vitro, they were seeded into a DON for three-dimensional culture, allowing further differentiation into inhibitory GABAergic neurons under the specific neuronal induction environment. Transmission electron microscopy and whole cell patch clamp technique were used to detect whether the hiPSCs differentiated neurons could form synapse-like structures and whether these neurons had spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents, respectively, in order to validate that the hiPSC-derived neurons would form neural networks with synaptic transmission potentials from a structural and functional perspective. ResultsThe inhibitory neurons of GABAergic phenotype were successfully induced from hiPSCs in vitro, and maintained good viability after 28 days of culture. With the transmission electron microscopy, it was observed that many cell junctions were formed between hiPSC-derived neural cells in the three-dimensional materials, some of which presented a synapse- like structure, manifested as the slight thickness of cell membrane and a small number of vesicles within one side of the cell junctions, the typical structure of a presynatic component, and focal thickness of the membrane of the other side of the cell junctions, a typical structure of a postsynaptic component. According to whole-cell patch-clamp recording, the hiPSC-derived neurons had the capability to generate action potentials and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents were recorded in this biotissue. ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that hiPSCs can be induced to differentiate into GABAergic progenitor cells in vitro and can successfully construct iPSC-derived inhibitory neural network tissue with synaptic transmission after implanted into a DON for three-dimensional culture. This study would provide a novel neural network tissue for future research and treatment of central nervous system injury by stem cell tissue engineering technology. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Construction of hiPSC-derived Excitatory Neural Network-like Tissue
Qi-song SU ; Ge LI ; Jin-hai XU ; Bin JIANG ; Qing-shuai WEI ; Xiang ZENG ; Yuan-shan ZENG ; Ping ZHU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(4):625-633
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo construct a neural network-like tissue with the potential of synaptic formation in vitro by seeding human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural precursor cells (hiPSC-NPCs) on decellularized optic nerve (DON), so as to provide a promising approach for repair of nerve tissue injury. MethodsThrough directional induction and tissue engineering technology, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and 3D DON scaffolds were combined to construct neural network-like tissues. Then the hiPSCs were directionally induced into human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) and neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify cell differentiation efficiency. 3D DON scaffolds were prepared. Morphology and cytocompatibility of scaffolds were identified by scanning electron microscopy and Tunnel staining. Induced hiPSC-NPCs were seeded on DON scaffolds. Immunofluorescence staining, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and patch clamp were used to observe the morphology and functional identification of constructed neural network tissues. Results①The results of immunofluorescence staining suggested that most of hiPSC-NPCs differentiated into neurons in vitro. We had successfully constructed a neural network dominated by neurons. ② The results of scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry suggested that a neural network-like tissue with predominating excitatory neurons in vitro was successfully constructed. ③The results of immunohistochemical staining, transmission electron microscopy and patch clamp indicated that the neural network-like tissue had synaptic transmission function. ConclusionA neural network-like tissue mainly composed of excitatory neurons has been constructed by the combination of natural uniform-channel DON scaffold and hiPSC-NPCs, which has the function of synaptic transmission. This neural network plays a significant role in stem cell derived replacement therapy, and offers a promising prospect for repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neural tissue injuries. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            

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