Exploration of the misunderstandings， challenges， and countermeasures of exemption from ethical review from the perspective of medical and health institutions / 中国医学伦理学

In the implementation of exemption from ethical review， medical institutions equate exemption from ethical review with no ethical review or simple review， misunderstand the scope of exemption from ethical review， confuse the concepts of de-identification and anonymization， and equate privacy with personal information. The implementation faced challenges such as the coordination of conditions for exempt review with other regulations， the lack of clear decision-making subjects for exempting from ethical review， the legality and compliance of using general informed consent for biological samples and information data， as well as non-traceability and the risk of being re-identified of anonymous information for exemption from ethical review. Measures such as improving relevant laws and regulations， perfecting the construction and management of information databases and biological sample libraries， strengthening the project management and process supervision of exemption from ethical review， and implementing scientific review can ensure the legal and compliant implementation of exemption from ethical review by medical and health institutions.

Ten kinds of antipyretic-antidotal traditional Chinese medicine extracts against extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To study the activity of ten kinds of antipyretic-antidotal traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including radix tinosporae.herb of blin conyza and turmeric,against extensively drug-resistant Acineto-bacter baumannii(XDR-AB)infection,screen out the extracts of antipyretic-antidotal TCM which have in vivo anti-infection activity,provide a research basis for the discovery of novel antimicrobials against XD-RAB infection.Methods Ten antipyretic-antidotal TCM were extracted with water,50％ethanol and 95％ethanol respectively,and TCM extracts with different concentrations were prepared,which were co-incubated with the model of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans previously optimized by the research group.The in vivo activity of antipyretic-antidotal TCM against XDR-AB infection was judged through the survival rate of Caenorhabditis elegans.Results With the increase of concentration of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis extracts,the survival rate of XDR-AB-infec-ted nematodes continued to improve.The water extract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of turmeric at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 54.2％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),18.8％,and 13.3％,respectively.The water ex-tract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of cortex pseudolaricis at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 47.4％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),23.8％,and 15.8％,respectively.Conclusion The water extracts of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis have good activity against XDR-AB infection,and their main chemical components can be tested for in vitro antimicrobial efficacy to discover novel antimicrobial agents against XDR-AB infection.

Effect of Tongnaoyin on Cerebral Hemodynamics in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction of Phlegm and Blood Stasis Syndrome Based on CTA/CTP / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction after taking Tongnaoyin， a traditional Chinese medicine， based on head and neck computed tomography （CT） angiography （CTA） combined with brain CT perfusion imaging （CTP）. MethodA total of 240 patients with cerebral infarction of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome treated in Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2018 to September 2023 were randomly divided into a control group （99 cases） and a Tongnaoyin group （141 cases）. Based on the guidelines， the control group was treated with conventional treatment such as anti-aggregation， anticoagulation， lipid-lowering and plaque stabilization， brain protection， and supportive treatment. The Tongnaoyin group was treated with Tongnaoyin of 200 mL in warm conditions in the morning and evening on the basis of the control group. Both groups underwent CTA combined with CTP within 24 hours after admission， and they were reexamined by CTA and CTP in the sixth month after admission. The degree of intracranial artery stenosis was determined according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial （NASCET） method. The relative cerebral blood volume （rCBV）， relative cerebral blood flow （rCBF）， mean transit time （MTT）， and time to peak （TTP） of the lesion area before and after treatment were compared. The adverse outcomes of the two groups within six months after discharge were compared. ResultCompared with the group before treatment， the degree of vascular stenosis in the Tongnaoyin group was significantly reduced， and the difference was statistically significant （Z=105.369，P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the improvement rate of vascular stenosis in the Tongnaoyin group was higher （χ2=84.179，P<0.01）， and the curative effect was better.After treatment， the rCBV and rCBF of patients in the Tongnaoyin group were significantly increased， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.01）. MTT and TTP showed a trend of shortening， but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in rCBV， rCBF， MTT， and TTP in the control group. Compared with those in the control group after treatment， the rCBV and rCBF in the Tongnaoyin group were significantly increased， while MTT and TTP were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. After six months of discharge， the risk of poor prognosis in the Tongnaoyin group was significantly reduced compared with the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionTongnaoyin has a good effect on improving cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction. It can be used as an effective supplement for the conventional treatment of ischemic stroke to improve clinical efficacy.

Influence of arm position on ultrasound-guided subclavian vein in-plane puncture and catheterization / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To investigate the influence of arm position on ultrasound-guided subclavian vein puncture and placement.Methods A total of 90 patients undergoing general anesthesia in Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from Aug to Dec 2021 were randomly divided into abduction group(n=45)and adduction group(n=45).The central venous catheter was placed in the plane of subclavian vein under real-time ultrasound guidance.The one-time success rate of puncture,total success rate of puncture and puncture complications of the two groups were observed and recorded.Results In the process of real-time ultrasound-guided subclavian vein puncture,the success rate of one-time puncture in abduction group was 88.9%(40/45),which was significantly higher than that in adduction group(68.9%,31/45),the difference was statistically significant(P=0.020).The total success rate of puncture was 95.6%(43/45)in abduction group and 82.2%(37/45)in adduction group,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.044).In terms of puncture complications,there were 8 cases of puncture failure in adduction group,including 2 cases of local hematoma,and there were 2 cases of puncture failure in abduction group without local hematoma.No pneumothorax occurred in the two groups,and all the failed cases were replaced by ipsilateral internal jugular vein puncture.Conclusion In patients undergoing general anesthesia,90° arm abduction is convenient for real-time ultrasound-guided subclavian vein puncture and catheterization,which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Analysis of the Current Situation of Medical Researchers’ Cognition and Attitude towards Ethical Review in China / 中国医学伦理学

Based on the data of a national sampling survey, this paper described and analyzed the understanding, attitude, behavior, and their differences and influencing factors of Chinese medical researchers on ethical review of biomedical research involving human subject. The survey found that researchers with master’s degree or below, working in scientific research institutes or universities, no overseas experience, living in the central region and not serving as committee members have relatively poor acquaintance of "ethical review" ; researchers with the characteristics of male, the younger age, living in the western region, knowing less about "ethical review" , agree more with the view that "ethical review consumes too much time and energy" ; researchers who serve as members of the ethics committee are more likely to participate in scientific research projects that have not passed the ethical review process. Therefore, recommendations are put forward: comprehensively popularizing the training of ethical review, focusing on strengthening the vulnerable groups and regions, strictly implementing ethical review laws and regulations, and strengthening evaluation and supervision, so as to improve the service quality and efficiency of ethical review in multiple directions.

Analysis on Current Situation and Ethical Problems of Stem Cell Clinical Research in China / 中国医学伦理学

It is worth pondering how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages in stem cell clinical research and give full play to the advantages of technology for the benefit of mankind. Through the analysis of the status of stem cell clinical research, including technology and related management methods, proposed the main problems existing in stem cell research, such as the risks of technological uncertainty, ambiguity between research and treatment, over-treatment and technological innovation. Then this paper discussed the ethical and legal risks of stem cell clinical research in China, mainly related to the problems that the construction of laws and regulations is lagging behind, the regulatory challenges of administrative departments are large, the ethical awareness of researchers needs to be further improved, the principle of fairness and justice is not taken into account, the research platform construction of medical institutions is not in place and the protection system of subjects is imperfect, and the organization construction and review capacity of the ethics committee is still lacking.

Discussion on Difficulties of Ethical Review of DCD Organ Donation and Transplant based on Cases / 中国医学伦理学

The ethics committee of organ transplantation technology and clinical application in a hospital has encountered some difficulties and typical cases in its review work and practice for many years. Sometimes, it is difficult to make a decision in these dilemmas. Based on the previous experience of the hospital in the ethical review of organ donation and transplantation, combined with two typical cases, this paper discussed and analyzed two review points of whether the voluntary unpaid donation and the principle of informed consent were met, and whether the risk-benefit ratio was reasonable, and put forward relevant ethical and legal countermeasure for further research by institutional ethics committees and other parties, in order to provide reference for discussing the practical problems and ethical confusion of ethical review of organ donation and transplantation.

Contributions and new achievements of medical ethics to ethical governance of science and technology / 中国医学伦理学

The release of Guidelines to Strengthen the Governance over Ethics in Science and Technology marked that China's ethical governance system of science and technology has entered a new stage.The research and practice on ethics in science and technology in China are carried out along two approaches.One approach is to derive the rules of specific science and practice from the principles of general ethics.The other is to gradually form ethical governance principles and consensus for a specific type of phenomenon or problem in the process of science and technology,starting from scientific research problems and scientific and technological events and cases.Medical ethics research has also formed the tradition of medical ethics and modern bioethics in this way.In the practice of ethical governance,medical ethics is at the forefront of scientific and technological ethics,forming a"pilot area"for the research and development of scientific and technological ethics,an"explorer"for the institutionalization of ethical review,and a"demonstration area"for scientific and technological ethical governance.The release of ethical governance opinions is not the end of research on medical ethics governance,and medical ethics needs to have new achievements.Firstly,rethinking the theoretical basis and methodology of medical ethics and adhering to the guidance of Marxist theory.Secondly,a rethinking of the two research paths and how they can balance development and support each other.Thirdly,rethinking the relationship between ethics and the rule of law,and continuously improving the level of legalization of ethical governance.

Analyses of the risk factors for the progression of primary antiphospholipid syndrome to systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华内科杂志

Objectives:Analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) progressing to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Explore the risk factors for the progression from PAPS to SLE.Methods:The clinical data of 262 patients with PAPS enrolled in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from February 2005 to September 2021 were evaluated. Assessments included demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests (serum levels of complement, anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies), treatment, and outcomes. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the prevalence of SLE in patients with PAPS. Univariate Cox regression analysis was employed to identify the risk factors for PAPS progressing to SLE.Results:Among 262 patients with PAPS, 249 had PAPS (PAPS group) and 13 progressed to SLE (5.0%) (PAPS-SLE group). Univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that cardiac valve disease ( HR=6.360), positive anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies ( HR=7.203), low level of complement C3 ( HR=25.715), and low level of complement C4 ( HR=10.466) were risk factors for the progression of PAPS to SLE, whereas arterial thrombotic events ( HR=0.109) were protective factors ( P<0.05 for all). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the prevalence of SLE in patients suffering from PAPS with a disease course>10 years was 9%-15%. Hydroxychloroquine treatment had no effect on the occurrence of SLE in patients with PAPS ( HR=0.753, 95% CI 0.231-2.450, P=0.638). Patients with≥2 risk factors had a significantly higher prevalence of SLE compared with those with no or one risk factor (13-year cumulative prevalence of SLE 48.7% vs. 0 vs. 6.2%, P<0.001 for both). Conclusions:PAPS may progress to SLE in some patients. Early onset, cardiac-valve disease, positive anti-dsDNA antibody, and low levels of complement are risk factors for the progression of PAPS to SLE (especially in patients with≥2 risk factors). Whether application of hydroxychloroquine can delay this transition has yet to be demonstrated.

Prediction of new atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting based on preoperative heart rate variability: A retrospective study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To study the relationship between preoperative heart rate variability (HRV) and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Methods    A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 290 patients who were admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from May to September 2020 and received OPCAB. There were 217 males and 73 females aged 36-80 years. According to the incidence of POAF, the patients were divided into two groups: a non-atrial fibrillation group (208 patients) and an atrial fibrillation group (82 patients). The time domain and frequency domain factors of mean HRV 7 days before operation were calculated: standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences, percentage difference between adjacent normal-to-normal intervals that were greater than 50 ms, low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), LF/HF. Results    The HRV value of patients without POAF was significantly lower than that of patients with POAF (P<0.05). The median SDNN of the two groups were 78.90 ms and 91.55 ms, respectively. Age (OR=3.630, 95%CI 2.015-6.542, P<0.001), left atrial diameter (OR=1.074, 95%CI 1.000-1.155, P=0.046), and SDNN (OR=1.017, 95%CI 1.002-1.032, P=0.024) were independently associated with the risk of POPAF after OPCAB. Conclusion     SDNN may be an independent predictor of POAF after OPCAB.

Microdeletions and vertical transmission of the Y-chromosome azoospermia factor region / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Spermatogenesis is regulated by several Y chromosome-specific genes located in a specific region of the long arm of the Y chromosome, the azoospermia factor region (AZF). AZF microdeletions are the main structural chromosomal abnormalities that cause male infertility. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been used to overcome natural fertilization barriers, allowing infertile couples to have children. However, these techniques increase the risk of vertical transmission of genetic defects. Despite widespread awareness of AZF microdeletions, the occurrence of de novo deletions and overexpression, as well as the expansion of AZF microdeletion vertical transmission, remains unknown. This review summarizes the mechanism of AZF microdeletion and the function of the candidate genes in the AZF region and their corresponding clinical phenotypes. Moreover, vertical transmission cases of AZF microdeletions, the impact of vertical inheritance on male fertility, and the prospective direction of research in this field are also outlined.

Epididymis cell atlas in a patient with a sex development disorder and a novel NR5A1 gene mutation / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aims to characterize the cell atlas of the epididymis derived from a 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) patient with a novel heterozygous mutation of the nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1) gene. Next-generation sequencing found a heterozygous c.124C>G mutation in NR5A1 that resulted in a p.Q42E missense mutation in the conserved DNA-binding domain of NR5A1. The patient demonstrated feminization of external genitalia and Tanner stage 1 breast development. The surgical procedure revealed a morphologically normal epididymis and vas deferens but a dysplastic testis. Microfluidic-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis found that the fibroblast cells were significantly increased (approximately 46.5%), whereas the number of main epididymal epithelial cells (approximately 9.2%), such as principal cells and basal cells, was dramatically decreased. Bioinformatics analysis of cell-cell communications and gene regulatory networks at the single-cell level inferred that epididymal epithelial cell loss and fibroblast occupation are associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. The present study provides a cell atlas of the epididymis of a patient with 46,XY DSD and serves as an important resource for understanding the pathophysiology of DSD.

Loss-of-function CFTR p.G970D missense mutation might cause congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens and be associated with impaired spermatogenesis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is observed in 1%-2% of males presenting with infertility and is clearly associated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations. CFTR is one of the most well-known genes related to male fertility. The frequency of CFTR mutations or impaired CFTR expression is increased in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). CFTR mutations are highly polymorphic and have established ethnic specificity. Compared with F508Del in Caucasians, the p.G970D mutation is reported to be the most frequent CFTR mutation in Chinese patients with cystic fibrosis. However, whether p.G970D participates in male infertility remains unknown. Herein, a loss-of-function CFTR p.G970D missense mutation was identified in a patient with CBAVD and NOA. Subsequent retrospective analysis of 122 Chinese patients with CBAVD showed that the mutation is a common pathogenic mutation (4.1%, 5/122), excluding polymorphic sites. Furthermore, we generated model cell lines derived from mouse testes harboring the homozygous Cftr p.G965D mutation equivalent to the CFTR variant in patients. The Cftr p.G965D mutation may be lethal in spermatogonial stem cells and spermatogonia and affect the proliferation of spermatocytes and Sertoli cells. In spermatocyte GC-2(spd)ts (GC2) Cftr p.G965D cells, RNA splicing variants were detected and CFTR expression decreased, which may contribute to the phenotypes associated with impaired spermatogenesis. Thus, this study indicated that the CFTR p.G970D missense mutation might be a pathogenic mutation for CBAVD in Chinese males and associated with impaired spermatogenesis by affecting the proliferation of germ cells.

The effect of BMI and age on the outcomes of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy: a retrospective analysis of 181 patients operated by a single surgeon / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

To design a treatment plan for patients with epididymal obstruction, we explored the potential impact of factors such as body mass index (BMI) and age on the surgical outcomes of vasoepididymostomy (VE). In this retrospective study, 181 patients diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia (OA) due to epididymal obstruction between September 2014 and September 2017 were reviewed. All patients underwent single-armed microsurgical intussusception VEs with longitudinal two-suture placement performed by a single surgeon (KH) in a single hospital (Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China). Six factors that could possibly influence the patency rates were analyzed, including BMI, age, mode of anastomosis, site of anastomosis, and sperm motility and quantity in the intraoperative epididymal fluid. Single-factor outcome analysis was performed via Chi-square test and multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. A total of 159 (87.8%, 159/181) patients were followed up. The follow-up time (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) was 27.7 ± 9.3 months, ranging from 12 months to 48 months. The overall patency rate was 73.0% (116/159). The multivariable analysis revealed that BMI and age significantly influenced the patency rate (P = 0.008 and 0.028, respectively). Younger age (≤28 years; odds ratio [OR] = 3.531, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.397-8.924) and lower BMI score (<26.0 kg m-2; OR = 2.352, 95% CI: 1.095-5.054) appeared to be associated with a higher patency rate. BMI and age were independent factors affecting the outcomes of microsurgical VEs depending on surgical expertise and the use of advanced technology.

Identification of risk genes in Chinese nonobstructive azoospermia patients based on whole-exome sequencing / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a severe condition in infertile men, and increasing numbers of causative genes have been identified during the last few decades. Although certain causative genes can explain the presence of NOA in some patients, a proportion of NOA patients remain to be addressed. This study aimed to investigate potential high-risk genes associated with spermatogenesis in idiopathic NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 46 male patients diagnosed with NOA. First, screening was performed for 119 genes known to be related to male infertility. Next, further screening was performed to determine potential high-risk causative genes for NOA by comparisons with 68 healthy male controls. Finally, risk genes with high/specific expression in the testes were selected and their expression fluctuations during spermatogenesis were graphed. The frequency of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene pathogenic variant carriers was higher in the NOA patients compared with the healthy controls. Potential risk genes that may be causes of NOA were identified, including seven genes that were highly/specifically expressed in the testes. Four risk genes previously reported to be involved in spermatogenesis (MutS homolog 5 [MSH5], cilia- and flagella-associated protein 54 [CFAP54], MAP7 domain containing 3 [MAP7D3], and coiled-coil domain containing 33 [CCDC33]) and three novel risk genes (coiled-coil domain containing 168 [CCDC168], chromosome 16 open reading frame 96 [C16orf96], and serine protease 48 [PRSS48]) were identified to be highly or specifically expressed in the testes and significantly different in the 46 NOA patients compared with 68 healthy controls. This study on clinical NOA patients provides further evidence for the four previously reported risk genes. The present findings pave the way for further functional investigations and provide candidate risk genes for genetic diagnosis of NOA.

Evaluation of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication in treatment of drug-resistant tuberculous empyema / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy of the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication in treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis empyema. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2020, 122 cases of tuberculous empyema treated by decortication in Department of Surgery, Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 100 males and 22 females, aged(M(IQR)) 29.5(28.0) years (range: 13 to 70 years). According to the surgical approach and drug resistance, patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication were included in group A (n=22), and those who underwent thoracotomy decortication were included in group B (n=28). Drug-sensitive patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication were included in group C (n=72). There was no statistical difference in the baseline data of the three groups (P>0.05). The operation, early postoperative recovery, and prognosis-related indicators were compared among three groups by Kruskal-Wallis test and χ2 test by Mann-Whitney U test and Bonferroni method between groups A and B, groups A and C. Results: The intraoperative blood loss of group A, group B, and group C was 200(475) ml, 300(200) ml, and 225(300) ml, respectively. There was no significant difference in intraoperative hemorrhage (H=2.74, P=0.254) and treatment outcome (χ2=4.76, P=0.575) among the three groups. Compared with group B, the operation time of group A (302.5(187.5) minutes vs. 200.0(60.0) minutes, U=171.0, P=0.007) and postoperative pulmonary reexpansion duration (4.5(3.0) months vs. 3.0 (2.2) months, U=146.5, P=0.032) were longer, and the postoperative drainage duration (9.5(7.8) days vs. 13.0(10.0) days, U=410.0, P=0.044), and the postoperative hospitalization time (12.0(7.8) days vs. 14.5(4.8) days, U=462.2, P=0.020) were shorter. There was no significant difference in complications between group A and group B (63.6%(14/22) vs. 71.4%(20/28), χ2=0.34, P=0.558). Compared with group C, the postoperative drainage duration of group A (9.5(7.8) days vs. 7.0(4.0) days, U=543.5, P=0.031), the postoperative hospitalization time (12.0(7.8) days vs. 9.0(4.0) days, U=533.0, P=0.031) and postoperative pulmonary reexpansion duration (4.5(3.0) months vs. 3.0(2.0) months, U=961.5, P=0.001) were longer. The operation time (302.5(187.5) minutes vs. 242.5(188.8) minutes, U=670.5, P=0.278), and complications (63.6%(14/22) vs. 40.3%(29/72), χ2=3.70, P=0.054) were not different between group A and group C. Conclusions: For drug-resistant tuberculous empyema, the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication can achieve the same good therapeutic effect as drug-sensitive tuberculous empyema, and it is as safe as thoracotomy. At the same time, it has the advantage of minimally invasive and can accelerate the early postoperative recovery of patients.

Development of an on-line and off-line blended teaching practice for Biochemistry Experiments / 生物工程学报

On-line and off-line blended teaching is one of the directions for future experimental teaching mode reform in universities. Blended teaching is characterized by systematic course design, repeatable knowledge nodes, autonomous learning and frequent interaction between teachers and students. The on-line and off-line blended teaching course of Biochemistry Experiments in Zhejiang University includes massive open online course (MOOC), off-line comprehensive series of experiments and independent experiments design and practice. The blended teaching practice of this course expanded experimental teaching content, developed standardized preparation, process and assessment mechanism, and promoted shared application of the course.

Multi-tissue segmentation model of whole slide image of pancreatic cancer based on multi task and attention mechanism / 生物医学工程学杂志

Accurate segmentation of whole slide images is of great significance for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. However, developing an automatic model is challenging due to the complex content, limited samples, and high sample heterogeneity of pathological images. This paper presented a multi-tissue segmentation model for whole slide images of pancreatic cancer. We introduced an attention mechanism in building blocks, and designed a multi-task learning framework as well as proper auxiliary tasks to enhance model performance. The model was trained and tested with the pancreatic cancer pathological image dataset from Shanghai Changhai Hospital. And the data of TCGA, as an external independent validation cohort, was used for external validation. The F1 scores of the model exceeded 0.97 and 0.92 in the internal dataset and external dataset, respectively. Moreover, the generalization performance was also better than the baseline method significantly. These results demonstrate that the proposed model can accurately segment eight kinds of tissue regions in whole slide images of pancreatic cancer, which can provide reliable basis for clinical diagnosis.

The protective effects and underlying mechanisms of dapagliflozin on diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Male diabetic individuals present a marked impairment in fertility; however, knowledge regarding the pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies is unsatisfactory. The new hypoglycemic drug dapagliflozin has shown certain benefits, such as decreasing the risk of cardiovascular and renal events in patients with diabetes. Even so, until now, the effects and underlying mechanisms of dapagliflozin on diabetic male infertility have awaited clarification. Here, we found that dapagliflozin lowered blood glucose levels, alleviated seminiferous tubule destruction, and increased sperm concentrations and motility in leptin receptor-deficient diabetic db/db mice. Moreover, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) antagonist exendin (9-39) had no effect on glucose levels but reversed the protective effects of dapagliflozin on testicular structure and sperm quality in db/db mice. We also found that dapagliflozin inhibited the testicular apoptotic process by upregulating the expression of the antiapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and inhibiting oxidative stress by enhancing the antioxidant status, including total antioxidant capacity, total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, as well as decreasing the level of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Exendin (9-39) administration partially reversed these effects. Furthermore, dapagliflozin upregulated the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level in plasma and GLP-1R expression by promoting AKT8 virus oncogene cellular homolog (Akt) phosphorylation in testicular tissue. Exendin (9-39) partially inhibited Akt phosphorylation. These results suggest that dapagliflozin protects against diabetes-induced spermatogenic dysfunction via activation of the GLP-1R/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Our results indicate the potential effects of dapagliflozin against diabetes-induced spermatogenic dysfunction.

Translation of the Chinese version of the Modified Atrial Fibrillation Information Overload Scale and the test of its reliability and validity / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To translate the English version of the Modified Atrial Fibrillation Information Overload Scale into Chinese,and to preliminarily test its reliability and validity.Methods:According to the Brislin translation model,the English version of the Modified Atrial Fibrillation Information Overload Scale was translated into Chinese, and then was back-translated and modified for cultural adaptation followed by the guidelines. From December 2021 to May 2022,200 patients with atrial fibrillation in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Qingdao Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University were included by a convenience sampling method for a questionnaire survey, in order to evaluate its reliability and validity.Results:The Chinese version of the Modified Information Atrial Fibrillation Overload Scale contained 8 items. The Cronbach α coefficient of the Chinese version of the Modified Atrial Fibrillation Information Overload Scale was 0.884. The test-retest reliability was 0.653. The split-half reliability was 0.794. The scale-content validity index was 0.98, and the item-content validity index ranged from 0.83 to 1.00. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the two-factor model fitted well, χ2/ df was 3.958, root mean square error was 0.026, comparative fit index was 0.936, goodness of fit index was 0.918, normal of fit index was 0.917, Tucker-Lewis index was 0.900, root mean square error of approximation was 0.08. Conclusions:The Chinese version of the Modified Atrial Fibrillation Information Overload Scale has good reliability and validity. It provides a reliable research tool for the patients to measure information overload in China, and provides a basis for health education for medical staff.