Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of low- and intermediate-dose factor Ⅷ (F Ⅷ) prophylaxis in Chinese adult patients with severe hemophilia A. Methods: Thirty adult patients with severe hemophilia A who received low- (n=20) /intermediate-dose (n=10) F Ⅷ prophylaxis at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University Medical College were included in the study. The annual bleeding rate (ABR), annual joint bleeding rate (AJBR), number of target joints, functional independence score of hemophilia (FISH), quality of life score, and health status score (SF-36) before and after preventive treatment were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Results: The median follow-up was 48 months. Compared with on-demand treatment, low- and intermediate-dose prophylaxis significantly reduced ABR, AJBR, and the number of target joints (P<0.05) ; the improvement in the intermediate-dose prophylaxis group was better than that in the low-dose prophylaxis group (P<0.05). Compared with on-demand treatment, the FISH score, quality of life score, and SF-36 score significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion: In Chinese adults with severe hemophilia A, low- and intermediate-dose prophylaxis can significantly reduce bleeding frequency, delay the progression of joint lesions, and improve the quality of life of patients as compared with on-demand treatment. The improvement in clinical bleeding was better with intermediate-dose prophylaxis than low-dose prophylaxis.
Humans ; Hemophilia A/drug therapy* ; Factor VIII/therapeutic use* ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Hemarthrosis/prevention & control* ; Hemorrhage/drug therapy*

The purpose of this study was to investigate how Zuogui pills from the Kidney-tonifying and Nourishing Yin formula, in combination with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist cetrorelix, affected the ovarian local oxidative stress response in decreasing ovarian reserve (DOR) mice. All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the guidelines and standards established by Jinan University's Experimental Animal Management Committee. Cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated DOR mice were given Zuogui pills, cetrorelix, or a combination of the two drugs intragastrically. After treatment, there were changes in the estrous cycle, serum sex hormone levels, oxidative stress-related indexes, growth biochemical factor levels, and SIRT1/P53/P21 expression. In comparison to the model group, the Zuogui pills and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had significantly prolonged estrous periods and shortened interestrous periods, and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had a significantly shortened cycle length. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased and estradiol (E₂) increased in all treatment groups compared to the model group, oxidative stress indexes nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased, growth biochemical factors brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) concentrations increased significantly, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) showed no significant change. SIRT1/P53/P21 immunohistochemical results revealed that, when compared to the model group, the expression of SIRT1 increased while the expression of P53 and P21 proteins decreased in all treatment groups, with the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group having the largest decrease, with significant differences in all indicators. We conclude that cetrorelix combined with Zuogui pills for kidney nourishing and Yin recipe improved the oxidative stress response in the follicle by regulating the SIRT1/P53/P21 pathway, reducing peroxide product production, protecting ovarian function, and regulating ovarian hormone secretion, and its efficacy is superior to that of cetrorelix or Zuogui pills alone.

Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare type of teratozoospermia that severely impairs the reproductive ability of male patients, and genetic defects have been recognized as the main cause of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Spermatogenesis and centriole-associated 1 like (SPATC1L) is indispensable for maintaining the integrity of sperm head-to-tail connections in mice, but its roles in human sperm and early embryonic development remain largely unknown. Herein, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 22 infertile men with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. An in silico analysis of the candidate variants was conducted, and WES data analysis was performed using another cohort consisting of 34 patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and 25 control subjects with proven fertility. We identified biallelic mutations in SPATC1L (c.910C>T:p.Arg304Cys and c.994G>T:p.Glu332X) from a patient whose sperm displayed complete acephalia. Both SPATC1L variants are rare and deleterious. SPATC1L is mainly expressed at the head-tail junction of elongating spermatids. Plasmids containing pathogenic variants decreased the level of SPATC1L in vitro. Moreover, none of the patient's four attempts at intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) resulted in a transplantable embryo, which suggests that SPATC1L defects might affect early embryonic development. In conclusion, this study provides the first identification of SPATC1L as a novel gene for human acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Furthermore, WES might be applied for patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome who exhibit reiterative ICSI failures.
Centrioles/genetics* ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Male ; Mutation ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Spermatozoa

Objective:To investigate the printability and cytocompatibility of sodium alginate-gelatin (AG) bioink containing platelet-rich plasma derived from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB-PRP), named HUCB-PRP-AG bioink, and the effect of the three-dimensionally printed tissue with the bioink on full-thickness skin defect wounds in nude mice.Methods:The method of experimental research was used. HUCB-PRP-AG bioinks with 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10.0% of HUCB-PRP by volume were prepared and named 1P-AG, 2P-AG, and 4P-AG, respectively. The appearances of AG, 1P-AG, 2P-AG, and 4P-AG at room temperature were observed, and their viscosity and storage/loss modulus were measured by a rotational rheometer. The above four bioinks were used for three-dimensional bioprinting respectively, and the appearances of the printed tissue were observed (the printed tissue was subsequently cross-linked and used). The four kinds of bioprinted tissue were respectively co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in Transwell chambers with HUVEC special medium for 24 h, and the cell proliferation level was detected by cell counting kit 8 ( n=3). The four kinds of bioprinted tissue were respectively cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium for 12, 24, and 48 h, which were dried and weighed, and the degradation rate was calculated ( n=3). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the culture supernatant of 1P-AG, 2P-AG, or 4P-AG cultured in phosphate buffer solution at 0.5, 24.0, and 48.0 h was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( n=5). Sixteen female BALB/c-NU nude mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected to establish a full-thickness skin defect wound model on the back and were divided into conventional control group with wounds being covered with medical hydrocolloid dressing alone, HUCB-PRP group with additional HUCB-PRP dripping to the wounds, AG group additionally covered with AG printed tissue, and 4P-AG group additionally covered with 4P-AG printed tissue, respectively (with 4 nude mice in each group). The wound healing of 3 nude mice in each group was observed on post injury day (PID) 4, 8, and 14, and the wound healing rate was calculated. The wound tissue of the remaining nude mouse in each group was collected on PID 8, the histopathological changes were observed after hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the CD31-positive new blood vessels were observed after immunohistochemical staining. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, least significant difference test, and Bonferroni correction. Results:At room temperature, AG, 1P-AG, 2P-AG, and 4P-AG were semi-transparent liquid, and AG was light yellow, while 1P-AG, 2P-AG, and 4P-AG were light red but the color successively deepened. The viscosity of AG, 1P-AG, 2P-AG, and 4P-AG decreased with the increase of shear rate at the temperature of 10 ℃ and shear rate of 0.1-10.0 s -1; the storage moduli of the four bioinks were greater than the loss moduli at the temperature of 10 ℃ and angular frequency range of 1-100 rad/s. Both the resolution and morphology of the printed tissue of four bioinks were similar. The proliferation levels of HUVECs co-cultured with 1P-AG, 2P-AG, and 4P-AG printed tissue for 24 h were 0.885±0.030, 1.126±0.032, and 1.156±0.045, respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.712±0.019 of HUVECs co-cultured with AG printed tissue ( P<0.01). The proliferation levels of HUVECs co-cultured with 2P-AG and 4P-AG printed tissue for 24 h were significantly higher than the level of HUVECs co-cultured with 1P-AG printed tissue ( P<0.01). The degradation rates of 1P-AG, 2P-AG, and 4P-AG printed tissue were significantly higher than those of AG printed tissue at 12, 24, and 48 h of culture ( P<0.01). The degradation rates of 2P-AG and 4P-AG printed tissue at 24 and 48 h of culture were significantly higher than those of 1P-AG printed tissue ( P<0.01). The degradation rate of 4P-AG printed tissue at 12 h of culture was significantly higher than that of 1P-AG printed tissue ( P<0.01), and the degradation rates of 4P-AG printed tissue at 24 and 48 h of culture were significantly higher than those of 2P-AG printed tissue ( P<0.01). At 0.5, 24.0, and 48.0 h of culture, the expressions of VEGF in the culture supernatant of 2P-AG printed tissue were significantly higher than those of 1P-AG printed tissue ( P<0.01), and the expressions of VEGF in the culture supernatant of 1P-AG and 2P-AG printed tissue were significantly lower than those of 4P-AG printed tissue ( P<0.01). The wounds of nude mice in conventional control group and HUCB-PRP group were dry and smaller on PID 8 compared with those on PID 4, and the wounds of nude mice in HUCB-PRP group were smaller with no scabs on PID 14 compared with those in conventional control group. The printed tissue on the wound of nude mice in AG and 4P-AG groups was significantly degraded with no obvious exudation being observed on the wounds on PID 4, the wounds were significantly epithelialized and smaller on PID 8, and there was no scab on the wound on PID 14. The wounds of nude mice in 4P-AG group were completely epithelialized on PID 14. Compared with those in conventional control group, the wound healing rate of nude mice in AG group was significantly decreased on PID 4 ( P<0.05), and the wound healing rates of nude mice in HUCB-PRP group and 4P-AG group at all time points after injury and in AG group on PID 8 and 14 were significantly increased ( P<0.01). Compared with those in HUCB-PRP group, the wound healing rates of nude mice were significantly decreased on PID 4 and 8 in AG group and on PID 4 in 4P-AG group ( P<0.01), while the wound healing rates of nude mice were significantly increased on PID 14 in AG group and on PID 8 and 14 in 4P-AG group ( P<0.01). The wound healing rate of nude mice in 4P-AG group was significantly higher than that in AG group at all time points after injury ( P<0.01). On PID 8, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration, a small amount of new microvessels, and a small amount of CD31-positive new blood vessels were observed in the wounds of nude mice in conventional control group; a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration, abundant new microvessels, and quite a lot CD31-positive new blood vessels were observed in the wounds of nude mice in HUCB-PRP group; light inflammatory inflammation, a small amount of new microvessels, and a small amount of CD31-positive new blood vessels were observed in the wounds of nude mice in AG group; light inflammatory inflammation, a large number of new microvessels, and a large number of CD31-positive new blood vessels were observed in the wounds of nude mice in 4P-AG group. Conclusions:HUCB-PRP-AG bioink has good printability and cytocompatibility, and its three-dimensionally printed tissue can promote vascularization of full-thickness skin defect wounds in nude mice and accelerate wound healing.

Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles with diameters from 30 to 150 nm, released upon fusion of multivesicular bodies with the cell surface. They can transport nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids for intercellular communication and activate signaling pathways in target cells. In cancers, exosomes may participate in growth and metastasis of tumors by regulating the immune response, blocking the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and promoting angiogenesis. They are also involved in the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Exosomes in liquid biopsies can be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and diagnosis of cancers. Because of their amphipathic structure, exosomes are natural drug delivery vehicles for cancer therapy.

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics technology were used to predict the mechanism of action of Fuzi-Lizhong pill (FLP) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). 26 components (23 prototype compounds and 3 metabolites) in the blood of FLP were selected as the research objects. PharmMapper database, SwissTargetPrediction platform, GeneCards and OMIM database were used to screen and predict potential targets of FLP in blood. The protein-protein interaction network model was constructed by using String database and Cytoscape software. DAVID platform, KEGG and Reactome databases were used for GO analysis and pathway analysis of potential targets. Network of drug ingredients-targets-pathways was constructed by Cytoscape software. AutoDock vina software was used to dock the molecules of the absorbed ingredients of FLP in blood with the key targets. 82 potential targets of FLP for treatment of UC were obtained. Potential targets mainly involve biological processes such as response to organic substance, regulation of apoptosis, regulation of programmed cell death, which played roles in the treatment of UC by adjusting pathways in cancer, Colorectal cancer, Vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, arachidonic acid metabolism and the other signal pathways. From the perspective of network pharmacology, this study predicted the mechanisms of action of FLP in treating UC, indicating that FLP in treating UC had the characteristics of multiple ingredients, multiple targets and multiple pathways, which laid a foundation for further research.

Objective:To investigate the allelopathic effects of water extracts from rhizosphere soil of three medicinal plants Rehmannia glutinosa，Pinellia ternata and Isatis indigotica on seed germination and seedling growth of Polygala tenuifolia， screen the stubble varieties suitable for crop rotation with P. tenuifolia， and provide some scientific basis for continuous cropping obstacles of P. tenuifolia. Method:The bioassay method was used to study the effects of rhizosphere soil water extracts from three medicinal plants Rehmannia glutinosa，Pinellia ternata and Isatis indigotica at concentrations of 0.3，0.6，0.9 g·mL^-1 on the germination of P. tenuifolia seed and seedling growth. Result:The rhizosphere soil water extracts of Rehmannia glutinosa and Pinellia ternata showed basically low-promotion and high-inhibition concentration effects on the final germination rate，germination potential，and germination index of P. tenuifolia seeds，while the water extract of Isatis indigotica showed significant allelopathic inhibition effect. All three rhizosphere soil water extracts showed significant allelopathic inhibition effects on the growth index of P. tenuifolia seedlings. Among them，the rhizosphere soil water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa showed lower inhibitory effect on the plant height and root length of P. tenuifolia seedlings than the other two water extracts. The photosynthetic pigment content，proline（Pro） content，and soluble sugar content of P. tenuifolia chinensis seedlings were the highest under 0.3 g·mL^-1 soil water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa， with relatively higher content of soluble protein， and relatively lower content of hydrogen oxide（H₂O₂）. Under the treatment of 0.9 g·mL^-1 soil water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa，P. tenuifolia seedlings had the highest peroxidase（POD） and superoxide dismutase（SOD） activities，low catalase（CAT） activity，and lowest content of malondialdehyde（MDA）. Conclusion:Based on the comprehensive analysis of the above experimental data and allelopathic effects，the water extract of rhizosphere of Rehmannia glutinosa can promote the germination of P. tenuifolia seeds to a certain extent，and lay the foundation for seedling resistance to biochemical stress. Therefore， Rehmannia glutinosa is more suitable for crop rotation with P. tenuifolia.