Nomogram based on a circular RNA biomarker for predicting the likelihood of successful sperm retrieval via microdissection testicular sperm extraction in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia

BackgroundMany circular RNAs (circRNAs) are specifically expressed in the testes and seminal plasma of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), highlighting them as potential predictors of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) outcomes. Although research has indicated that circular RNA monoglyceride lipase (circ_MGLL) is highly expressed in the testicular tissues of patients with NOA, the association between circ_MGLL expression and sperm retrieval outcomes (SROs) in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (iNOA) receiving micro-TESE remains unclear.MethodsThis single-center, retrospective cohort study enrolled 114 patients with iNOA who underwent micro-TESE at Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to November 2021. A logistic regression model was used to examine associations between SRO and circ_MGLL expression in testicular tissues, the results of which were used in conjunction with previous findings to establish a nomogram. The predictive performance of the circ_MGLL-based nomogram was evaluated via calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) using an internal validation method.ResultsThe generalized additive model indicated that the probability of successful SRO for micro-TESE decreased as circ_MGLL expression increased in testicular tissues. Across the entire cohort, univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that circ_MGLL expression was inversely associated with SRO in patients with NOA. This trend did not change after stratification according to age, body mass index, testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, luteinizing hormone (LH) level, testosterone (T) level, or pathological type (or after adjusting for these confounders) (odds ratio <1, P < 0.001). A nomogram was then generated by integrating circ_MGLL, pathological types, and FSH, LH, and T levels. The circ_MGLL-based predictive model achieved satisfactory discrimination, with an area under the curve of 0.857, and the calibration curves demonstrated impressive agreement. The DCA indicated that the net clinical benefit of the circ_MGLL-based predictive model was greater than that of circ_MGLL alone.Conclusioncirc_MGLL is significantly associated with the SRO of micro-TESE in patients with iNOA. The circ_MGLL-based nomogram developed in the current study can predict successful SRO with high accuracy

2,2′-(4-{[(E)-4-Meth­oxy­benzyl­idene]amino}­phenyl­imino)­diethanol

In the title compound, C18H22N2O3, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 3.9 (2)°. Both H atoms of the hy­droxy groups are involved in inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding. In the crystal structure, this hydrogen bonding assembles mol­ecules into chains of 21 symmetry extending parallel to the b axis. The almost planar (within 0.09 and 0.06 Å) 4-CH3O–C6H4–CH=N–C6H4– groups are oriented outwards the twofold screw axis

The value of Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A1 ratio for metabolic syndrome diagnosis in a Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The apoB/apoA1 ratio has been reported to be associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS), and it may be a more convenient biomarker in MetS predicting. However, whether apoB/apoA1 ratio is a better indicator of metabolic syndrome than other biomarkers and what is the optimal cut-off value of apoB/apoA1 ratio as an indicator of metabolic syndrome in Chinese population remain unknown. Thus, we carried out the current study to assess the predictive value of apoB/apoA1 ratio and determine the optimal cut-off value of apoB/apoA1 ratio for diagnosing MetS in a Chinese population. METHOD: We selected 1,855 subjects with MetS and 6,265 individuals without MetS based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the China Health Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2009. MetS was identified based on the diagnostic criteria of International Diabetes Federation (2005). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between the apoB/apoA1 ratio and risk of MetS, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to test the predictive value of apoB/apoA1 ratio and calculate the appropriate cut-off value. RESULTS: Compared with the lowest quartile of apoB/apoA1 ratio, subjects in the fourth quartile had a higher risk of MetS in both men [odds ratio (OR) = 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.82-3.83] and women (OR = 5.18, 95% CI = 3.87-6.92) after adjustment for potential confounders. The optimal cut-off value of apoB/apoA1 ratio for MetS detection was 0.85 in men and 0.80 in women. Comparisons of ROC curves indicated that apoB/apoA1 ratio was better than traditional biomarkers in predicting MetS. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that, apoB/apoA1 ratio has a promising predictive effectiveness in detection of MetS. An apoB/apoA1 ratio higher than 0.85 in men and 0.80 in women may be a promising and convenient marker of MetS

Optimization of Ganoderma leucocontextum Fermented Tea Medium Formula Based on High-yield Extracellular Crude

To investigate the optimal nutritional conditions and their contributing factors for the secretion of extracellular crude polysaccharides with Ganoderma leucocontextum on a liquid tea substrate, this study optimized the nutritional conditions of its extracellular crude polysaccharides formation by orthogonal experiment and analysis of variance on the basis of the single-factor test, and explored the relevance between its liquid culture characteristics and the secretion of extracellular crude polysaccharides using correlation and path analyses. The results of study revealed that the greatest output of extracellular crude polysaccharide (1.49±0.33 g/L) was achieved on a tea culture medium of 50 g/L potato, 40 g/L glucose, 3 g/L laterite, 20 g/L Pu'er tea and 0.075 mm tea powder particle size, and was affected by each nutritional condition in the descending order of glucose>tea variety>laterite>potato>tea powder particle size. Moreover, the secretion of extracellular crude polysaccharides in G. leucocontextum was significantly impacted by the soluble solids of the fermentation broth and the number of mycelium balls, with the former having the greatest indirect effect while the latter, the greatest direct and combined effect on it. In conclusion, the nutritional conditions (variety, concentration, particle size, etc.) of the tea culture medium and the liquid culture characteristics of G. leucocontextum exerted a significant and interactive effect on the secretion of extracellular crude polysaccharides, and the aforesaid results may provide a theoretical reference for extraction of polysaccharides from this mushroom and development of it as functional foods

CASE REPORT Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Disease after BCG Vaccination: A Case Report from China

ABSTRACT Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is recommended for newborn infants worldwide to prevent tuberculosis. However, complications do occur inevitably in a very low rate, among which the most serious is disseminated disease. The disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guérin disease is a rare disease with high fatality, and can be seen among persons with an underlying immunodeficiency. Case presentation: We report a 4-month-old male infant presenting with recurrent fever, an isolated left axillary massand swelling at the site of BCG inoculation. The cellular immune function analysis showed that the value of CD4/CD8 was 0.994, indicating the existence of immunodeficiency.The results of blood culture and throat swab culture showed conditional pathogen infection. He died of cardiopulmonary failure. Conclusion: In this case, necropsy played a significant role in the final diagnosis of disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis

Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis of a Competing Endogenous RNA Network Reveals a Prognostic Signature in Endometrial Cancer

In endometrial carcinoma, the clinical outcome directly correlates with the TNM stage, but the lack of sufficient information prevents accurate prediction. The molecular mechanism underlying the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis has not been investigated in endometrial cancer. Multi-bioinformatic analyses, including differentially expressed gene analysis, ceRNA network construction, Cox regression analysis, function enrichment analysis, and protein-protein network analysis, were performed on the sequence data acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data bank. A ceRNA network comprising 366 mRNAs, 27 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 66 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) was established. Survival analysis performed with the univariate Cox regression analysis revealed nine lncRNAs with prognostic power in endometrial carcinoma. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, a signature comprising LINC00491, LINC00483, ADARB2-AS1, and C8orf49 showed remarkable prognostic power. Risk score and neoplasm status, but not TNM stage, were independent prognostic factors of endometrial carcinoma. A ceRNA network comprising differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs may reveal the molecular events involved in the progression of endometrial carcinoma. In addition, the signature with prognostic value may discriminate patients with increased risk for poor outcome, which may allow physicians to take accurate decisions

The Efficacy of Acupuncture on Anthropometric Measures and the Biochemical Markers for Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Background. Many previous studies have shown the potential therapeutic effect of acupuncture for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, most of these studies were limited by short durations of observation and a lack of sham acupuncture as control. We designed a randomized controlled trial, used sham acupuncture as the control, and evaluated the efficacy over 12 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up. Methods/Design. The study was designed as a multicentre, parallel-group, randomized, double-blinded trial. 40 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: treatment group (treated with acupuncture) and control group (treated with sham acupuncture). Outcomes were measured at 4, 8, and 12 weeks and 3 months after treatment. Results. 33 participants (17 in acupuncture group and 16 in control group) completed the treatment and the follow-up. Decreases from baseline in mean waist circumference (WC) and weight at the end of treatment were 4.85 cm (95% CI [2.405,5.595]) and 4.00 kg (95% CI [1.6208,4.4498]) in acupuncture group and 1.62 cm and 1.64 kg in control group (P<0.01). The changes in mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and blood pressure in acupuncture group were greater than the changes in control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion. Acupuncture decreases WC, HC, HbA1c, TG, and TC values and blood pressure in MetS

Spatial resolution of light field sectioning pyrometry for flame temperature measurement

The light field sectioning pyrometry (LFSP) has proven a significant advancement for in-situ measurement of flame temperature through a single light field camera. However, the spatial resolution of LFSP is limited, which severely inhibits the measurement accuracy. This paper aims to evaluate the spatial resolution of LFSP for flame temperature measurement quantitatively. A theoretical model of the spatial resolution is established based on optical parameters and point spread function of the light field camera. The spatial resolution is then numerically analyzed with different parameters of light field cameras. Based on the theoretical model, a novel cage-typed light field camera with a higher spatial resolution of LFSP is developed and experimentally evaluated. A significant improvement of spatial resolution about 17% and 50% in lateral and depth directions, respectively, is achieved. Results show that the spatial resolution is in good agreement with the theoretical model. The LFSP is then evaluated under different combustion cases and their temperatures are reconstructed