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.Loong oil-lyotropic liquid crystals for the treatment of combined radiation and burn injury
Wan-ting GUO ; Xue-li JIA ; Yan LIU ; Ya-dan HU ; Ke WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Yong ZHANG ; Yi-guang JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1449-1457
Combined radiation and burn injury (CRBI) is a severe syndrome, which is induced by the simultaneous or successive radiation and burn; but no appropriate clinical therapies are available. Loong oil (LO) is a traditional Chinese medicine oil composed of the oil extracts of cuttlebone, safflower, walnut oil, and rapeseed oil, which has been demonstrated to own anti-radiation and tissue healing functions. In this study, glyceryl monostearate (GMO) was used for the preparation of lyotropic liquid crystals that loaded LO to obtain Loong oil-lyotropic liquid crystals (LOL) for the treatment of skin CRBI. The hexagonal phase structure of LOL was proved by small X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis with an approximate
3.The impact of DRGs payment on Traditional Chinese Medicine hospitals:Based on difference-in-difference analysis
Hui-Jun GUO ; Jing LIU ; Guang-Yu HU ; Yi-Wei HAO ; Xin-Mei HAO ; Ya-Nan WANG ; Hui-Dong ZHU ; Qiu-Yan LI
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(6):47-55
Objective:This study aims to evaluate the impact of Diagnosis-Related-Groups(DRGs)payment on the average total cost,length of stay,service volume,effectiveness,and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)hospitals.Methods:A national medical center specializing in TCM was selected as the research subject.The Difference-in-Difference Model(DID)was utilized to analyze the differences in various indicators between insured patients(intervention group)and uninsured patients(control group)before and after the implementation of the payment reform policy.The reliability and stability of the model were verified through parallel trend tests and placebo tests.Results:The coefficients of DID interaction terms for eleven indicators including average total hospitalization cost,number of cases,length of stay,proportion of medical service revenue,and proportion of herbal medicine revenue were significant(P<0.05).The DID interaction term coefficients for four indicators including herbal medicine usage rate and proportion of non-pharmacological TCM therapy revenue were not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:DRG payment significantly reduced the per-admission cost,with significant decreases in consumables and medical technology expenses,optimizing cost structure,and a slight decrease in the proportion of herbal medicine costs.It is necessary to further expand the sample size,track policy impacts,and comprehensively evaluate the effects of DRG payment on TCM hospitals in China.
4.Epidemiological investigation on the local epidemic situation in Zhengzhou High-Tech Zone caused by SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.
Yue Fei JIN ; Yue LI ; Jun Wei LI ; Zhuo Ya YAN ; Shuai Yin CHEN ; Xiao Min LOU ; Ke FAN ; Fan WU ; Yuuan Yuan CAO ; Fang Yuan HU ; Long CHEN ; Ya Qi XIE ; Cheng CHENG ; Hai Yan YANG ; Guang Cai DUAN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(1):43-47
This study collected epidemic data of COVID-19 in Zhengzhou from January 1 to January 20 in 2022. The epidemiological characteristics of the local epidemic in Zhengzhou High-tech Zone caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant were analyzed through epidemiological survey and big data analysis, which could provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of the Delta variant. In detail, a total of 276 close contacts and 599 secondary close contacts were found in this study. The attack rate of close contacts and secondary close contacts was 5.43% (15/276) and 0.17% (1/599), respectively. There were 10 confirmed cases associated with the chain of transmission. Among them, the attack rates in close contacts of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth generation cases were 20.00% (5/25), 17.86% (5/28), 0.72% (1/139) and 14.81% (4/27), 0 (0/57), respectively. The attack rates in close contacts after sharing rooms/beds, having meals, having neighbor contacts, sharing vehicles with the patients, having same space contacts, and having work contacts were 26.67%, 9.10%, 8.33%, 4.55%, 1.43%, and 0 respectively. Collectively, the local epidemic situation in Zhengzhou High-tech Zone has an obvious family cluster. Prevention and control work should focus on decreasing family clusters of cases and community transmission.
Humans
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SARS-CoV-2
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COVID-19
;
Epidemics
;
Incidence
5.Risk factors for neonatal asphyxia and establishment of a nomogram model for predicting neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture: a multicenter study.
Fang JIN ; Yu CHEN ; Yi-Xun LIU ; Su-Ying WU ; Chao-Ce FANG ; Yong-Fang ZHANG ; Lu ZHENG ; Li-Fang ZHANG ; Xiao-Dong SONG ; Hong XIA ; Er-Ming CHEN ; Xiao-Qin RAO ; Guang-Quan CHEN ; Qiong YI ; Yan HU ; Lang JIANG ; Jing LI ; Qing-Wei PANG ; Chong YOU ; Bi-Xia CHENG ; Zhang-Hua TAN ; Ya-Juan TAN ; Ding ZHANG ; Tie-Sheng YU ; Jian RAO ; Yi-Dan LIANG ; Shi-Wen XIA
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2023;25(7):697-704
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia.
METHODS:
A retrospective study was conducted with 613 cases of neonatal asphyxia treated in 20 cooperative hospitals in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from January to December 2019 as the asphyxia group, and 988 randomly selected non-asphyxia neonates born and admitted to the neonatology department of these hospitals during the same period as the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for neonatal asphyxia. R software (4.2.2) was used to establish a nomogram model. Receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, respectively.
RESULTS:
Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that minority (Tujia), male sex, premature birth, congenital malformations, abnormal fetal position, intrauterine distress, maternal occupation as a farmer, education level below high school, fewer than 9 prenatal check-ups, threatened abortion, abnormal umbilical cord, abnormal amniotic fluid, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, emergency caesarean section, and assisted delivery were independent risk factors for neonatal asphyxia (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia based on these risk factors was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.723-0.772). The calibration curve indicated high accuracy of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. The decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide a higher net benefit for neonates at risk of asphyxia.
CONCLUSIONS
The risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture are multifactorial, and the nomogram model based on these factors has good value in predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, which can help clinicians identify neonates at high risk of asphyxia early, and reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia.
Infant, Newborn
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Humans
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Male
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Pregnancy
;
Female
;
Nomograms
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Cesarean Section
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Risk Factors
;
Asphyxia Neonatorum/etiology*
6.Value of MRI Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Ovarian-Adnexal Lesions
Wen-hao FU ; Xiao-xiao HU ; Meng-ya SUN ; Fan ZHANG ; Ke WANG ; Guang-lei TANG ; Jian GUAN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(1):99-105
ObjectiveTo explore the value of MRI ovarian-adnexal reporting and data system (O-RADS MRI) in differentiating benign and malignant ovarian-adnexal masses.MethodsTotally 146 patients (202 masses) with ovarian-adnexal lesions who underwent pelvic examination at 3.0 T MRI according to standardized scan protocol of O-RADS MRI and were pathologically confirmed in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2020 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Two radiologists classified the ovarian-adnexal masses as risk levels 1~5 according to O-RADS MRI and evaluated their consistency by Cohen’s kappa. Using pathological findings as the gold standard, the detection yield of malignant lesions with O-RADS MRI classification was analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated (cutoff for malignancy, score ≥ 4).ResultsOf 202 masses, 62 (30.7%) were malignant, 140 (69.3%) were benign. The two radiologists presented good agreement in O-RADS MRI classification of ovarian adnexal masses (Kappa=0.932). The malignancy rates of masses with scores of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 0%, 0%, 7.7%, 95%, 97.6%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 96.8% (60/62), 98.6% (138/140), 98.0% (198/202), 0.977.ConclusionsO-RADS MRI yields high diagnostic efficiency for benign and malignant ovarian adnexal masses and its widespread implementation will improve communication between radiologists and clinicians, and facilitate optimal patient management. Therefore, O-RADS MRI warrants widespread use in clinical setting.
7.The research of liver failure in Banna miniature pigs caused by amanita exitialis.
Hong Yue XU ; Jia Ju ZHONG ; Qun Mei YAO ; Lu LIU ; Ya Guang HU ; Cheng Min YU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2023;41(6):443-447
Objective: To explore the characteristics of Banna miniature pig liver failure induced by amanita exitialis. Methods: From September to October 2020, a reverse high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was used to determine the toxin content of amanita exitialis solution, and 2.0 mg/kg amanita exitialis solution (α-amanitins+β-amanitins) was administered orally to Banna miniature pigs. Toxic symptoms, blood biochemical indexes and histopathological changes of liver, heart and kidney were observed at each time point. Results: All Banna miniature pigs died within 76 h of exposure, and different degrees of digestive tract symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea appeared between 6 and 36 h. The biochemical indexes of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine increased significantly at 52 h after exposure, and the differences were statistically significant compared with 0 h (P<0.05). The bleeding of liver and heart was obvious under macroscopic and microscopic observation, hepatocyte necrosis, renal tubule epithelial cell swelling. Conclusion: Large dose of amanita exitialis can cause acute liver failure of Banna miniature pigs, which is in line with the pathophysiological characteristics of acute liver failure, and lays a foundation for further research on the toxic mechanism and detoxification drugs of amanita exitialis induced liver failure.
Animals
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Swine
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Amanitins/metabolism*
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Swine, Miniature/metabolism*
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Amanita/metabolism*
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Liver Failure, Acute
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Mushroom Poisoning/diagnosis*
8.Practice and experience of preventing blindness using a mobile cataract operation vehicle in Shaanxi province for 25 years
Jing LI ; Ya-Guang HU ; Xiu-E SHI ; Yi GUO ; Jing GUO ; Yan-Nian HUI ; Xian-Fu YUE
International Eye Science 2022;22(11):1886-1891
The“14th Five-Year” National Eye Health Plan has been released and national eye health has risen as a national strategy. Cataract is the primary blinding eye disease in our country, which seriously affects the national eye health. Shaanxi Province, an old revolutionary base area in the western of China, has a relative lower socioeconomic level and about millions of people need to undergo cataract surgery. In 1996, multi-cooperation built the mobile ophthalmic operation vehicle — “Fuming No.1” to contribute the poverty alleviation initiative in Shaanxi Province. In the past 25a, “Fuming No.1” has taken the advantage of the convenience of mobile operation vehicles, implementing operations in rural, mountainous and old areas with weak medical services in Shaanxi Province. A total of more than 480 trips have been made, with a total mileage of more than 200 000 kilometers,covering 104 counties and districts in the province, and nearly 60 000 cases of cataract operations have been completed. “Fuming No.1” bring the light, relieve the pain for cataract patients and help them better fit the world. Furthermore, “Fuming No.1” also offers free operation and intraocular lens for more than 30 000 poor rural patients and reduces medical expenses by nearly 10 million yuan, which has obtained high praise and support from the patients and all walks of life. In addition, “Fuming No.1” is also a mobile training vehicle, which could improve the operation skills of ophthalmologists. In the process of teaching and training, the operations had also been completed with high quality. In view of the unbalanced economic development in our country, “Fuming No.1” will expand service projects, innovate work models, and continue to construct eye healthy in Shaanxi province, making greater contributions to consolidating the achievements of poverty alleviation.
9.Association of the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy with congenital heart defects in offspring: a prospective cohort study.
Jing-Ting LIU ; Ya-Wei ZHOU ; Wen-Di WANG ; Bao-Hong MAO ; Ya-Guang HU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2022;24(2):147-154
OBJECTIVES:
To study the association of the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy with congenital heart defects (CHD) in offspring, and to establish a model for predicting the probability of CHD based on the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy.
METHODS:
Based on the prospective birth cohort study in Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital in 2010-2012, a nested case-control study was conducted for the follow-up observation of 14 359 pregnant women. Among the pregnant women, 97 pregnant women whose offspring were diagnosed with CHD during follow-up were enrolled as the CHD group, and 194 pregnant women whose offspring had no CHD were selected as the control group. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure the levels of heavy metals and trace elements in maternal blood samples and fetal umbilical cord blood samples. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between heavy metal and trace elements and CHD in offspring. A nomogram model for predicting the probability of CHD in offspring was established based on the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the CHD group had significantly higher levels of aluminum (Al), natrium (Na), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), stannum (Sn), stibium (Sb), barium (Ba), and thorium (Th) in maternal blood samples (P<0.05), as well as significantly higher levels of Al, zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), kalium (K), Ca, Ti, chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), Se, Sr, argentum (Ag), cadmium (Cd), Sn, and plumbum (Pb) in umbilical cord blood (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in the Sb level in maternal blood was associated with the increase in the risk of CHD in offspring [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=4.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.65-14.07, P=0.004], while in umbilical cord blood, the high levels of Al (aOR=4.22, 95%CI: 1.35-13.16, P=0.013), Mg (aOR=8.00, 95%CI: 1.52-42.08, P=0.014), and Pb (aOR=3.82, 95%CI: 0.96-15.23, P=0.049) were significantly associated with the risk of CHD in offspring. The levels of Al, Th, and Sb in maternal blood and levels of Al, Mg, and Pb in umbilical cord blood were included in the predictive model for CHD in offspring based on the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy, and the calibration curve of the nomogram predictive model was close to the ideal curve.
CONCLUSIONS
Increases in the levels of Al, Th, Sb, Mg, and Pb during pregnancy may indicate the increase in the risk of CHD in offspring, and the nomogram predictive model based on these indices can be used to predict the probability of CHD in offspring.
Case-Control Studies
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Child
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Cohort Studies
;
Female
;
Heart Defects, Congenital/etiology*
;
Humans
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Metals, Heavy
;
Pregnancy
;
Prospective Studies
;
Trace Elements/analysis*
10.Efficacy of modified folding intraocular lens suspension surgery in treatment of traumatic dislocation of lens
Ya-Guang HU ; Xi QIAO ; Xuan LIU ; Jian-Qin LEI ; An-Ming XIE ; Jing-Ming LI ; Wan-Hu ZHANG
International Eye Science 2022;22(7):1069-1073
AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of modified folding intraocular lens(IOL)suspension surgery in treatment of traumatic dislocation of lens surgery technique.METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled study. A total of 15 patients underwent the modified folding IOL suspension surgery. Among them, 9 patients chose Akreos AO IOL, and polypropylene sutures were used to thread the haptics of IOL. After guided to puncture out through the sclera, the ends of sutures were thermal expanded and fixed in the sclera. And 6 patients chose Tecnis ZA9003 IOL and no sutures were used. After guided the haptics to puncture out through the sclera, the ends of haptics were thermal expanded and fixed in the sclera. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA, LogMAR)of all patients and postoperative complication were observed. RESULTS: This study included 15 patients, among them, 7 were male and 8 were female, the mean age was 64.00±9.85 years old, the mean course of diseases was 5.80±3.17 wk. There were no significant differences between the demographic and baseline clinical characteristics. After underwent the modified folding IOL suspension surgery, visual acuity of all patients were obviously improved. After 3mo of the surgery, the BCVA(LogMAR)of patients were improved from 1.28±0.56 to 0.52±0.30. More specifically, the BCVA(LogMAR)of patients who chose Akreos AO IOL were improved from 1.39±0.62 to 0.59±0.25, and those who chose Tecnis ZA9003 IOL of the BCVA(LogMAR)were improved from 1.12±0.45 to 0.42±0.35. Furthermore, there was no severe postoperative complication observed in our study. Only one patient suffered IOL dislocation and the IOL optical surface was mild oblique.CONCLUSION: Modified folding IOL suspension surgery technique resulted in good visual and outcomes with no severe complication, making it an effective option for IOL suspension surgery.

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