Prevalence and trends of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in female sex workers and men who have sex with men in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chlamydia trachomatis infection can cause a significant disease burden in high-risk populations. This study aimed to assess the overall prevalence of C. trachomatis infection, and determine the long-term trends and geographic distribution of this infection among female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP databases were searched from 1 January 1990 through 30 April 2023. Publications in which C. trachomatis infection was detected using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) were included. The Q test and I2 statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity between studies. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of C. trachomatis infection. Subgroup, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's test. Trend analysis of the prevalence was performed using the Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test method. RESULTS: Sixty-one studies were eligible for inclusion (including 38 for FSWs and 23 for MSM). The pooled prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 19.5% (95% CI: 16.4, 23.0) among FSWs and 12.7% (95% CI: 9.2, 17.7) in the rectum, 6.4% (95% CI: 5.3, 7.8) in the urethra and 1.3% (95% CI: 0.8, 2.1) in the oropharynx from MSM in China. The subgroup analyses showed that the sample size, study period, study region, specimen collection type, molecular diagnosis method, and recruitment site could explain some heterogeneity among studies of FSWs, and the publication language, study period, study region, molecular diagnosis method, and specimen collection anatomical site could explain some heterogeneity among studies of MSM. From 1998 to 2004, 2005 to 2009, 2010 to 2015, and 2016 to 2021, the pooled prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among FSWs were 30.3%, 19.9%, 21.4%, and 11.3%, respectively. For MSM, the pooled prevalence from 2003 to 2009, 2010 to 2015, and 2016 to 2022 were 7.8%, 4.7%, and 6.5%, respectively. However, no overall decline in the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was observed among FSWs (z = -1.51, P = 0.13) or MSM (z = -0.71, P = 0.48) in China. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was high in these two high-risk populations in China. The findings of this study provide evidence for the formulation of effective surveillance and screening strategies for the prevention and control of C. trachomatis infection among these two specific populations.

Ziyin Bushen Fang improves Diabetic Osteoporosis by Inhibiting Autophagy and Oxidative Stress In vitro and In vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) belongs to the group of diabetes-induced secondary osteoporosis and is the main cause of bone fragility and fractures in many patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine whether Ziyin Bushen Fang (ZYBSF) can improve DOP by inhibiting autophagy and oxidative stress. METHODS: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was induced in rats using a high-fat high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin. Micro-CT scanning was used to quantitatively observe changes in the bone microstructure in each group. Changes in the serum metabolites of DOP rats were analyzed using UHPLC-QTOF-MS. The DOP mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cell model (MC3T3-E1) was induced using high glucose levels. RESULTS: After ZYBSF treatment, bone microstructure significantly improved. The bone mineral density, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness in the ZYBSF-M and ZYBSF-H groups significantly increased. After ZYBSF treatment, the femur structure of the rats was relatively intact, collagen fibers were significantly increased, and osteoporosis was significantly improved. A total of 1239 metabolites were upregulated and 1527 were downregulated in the serum of T1DM and ZYBSF-treated rats. A total of 20 metabolic pathways were identified. In cellular experiments, ZYBSF reduced ROS levels and inhibited the protein expression of LC3II / I, Beclin-1, and p-ERK. CONCLUSION: ZYBSF may improve DOP by inhibiting the ROS/ERK-induced autophagy signaling pathway.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi alleviates Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea and its modulatory effects on the gut microbiota.

The growing incidence of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) underscores the urgency for potent treatments. This research delves into the therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) root (SR) in addressing CDAD and its influence on gut microbiota. Using a CDAD mouse model and fidaxomicin as a control, SR's impact was measured through diarrhea symptoms, colonic histopathology, and C. difficile toxin levels. Employing the PacBio platform, 16S rRNA full-length gene sequencing analyzed the gut microbial composition and the effect of SR. Results revealed SR considerably alleviated diarrhea during treatment and restoration phases, with a marked decrease in colonic inflammation. C. difficile toxin levels dropped significantly with SR treatment (P < 0.001). While SR didn't augment gut microbiota's overall abundance, it enhanced its diversity. It restored levels of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, reduced Akkermansia spp. and Enterococcus spp. proportions, and modulated specific bacterial species' abundance. In essence, SR effectively mitigates CDAD symptoms, curtails inflammatory reactions, and beneficially restructures gut microbiota, suggesting its potential in advanced CDAD clinical intervention.

MW-9, a chalcones derivative bearing heterocyclic moieties, ameliorates ulcerative colitis via regulating MAPK signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of the MW-9 on ulcerative colitis(UC)and reveal the underlying mechanism, so as to provide a scientific guidance for the MW-9 treatment of UC. Methods The model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells was established. The effect of MW-9 on RAW264.7 cells viability was detected by MTT assay. The levels of nitric oxide(NO)in RAW264.7 macrophages were measured by Griess assay. Cell supernatants and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines containing IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β were determined by ELISA kits. Dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced UC model in mice was established and body weight of mice in each group was measured. The histopathological damage degree of colonic tissue was assessed by HE staining. The protein expression of p-p38, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK was detected by Western blot. Results MW-9 intervention significantly inhibited NO release in RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 of 20.47 mg·L-1 and decreased the overproduction of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05). MW-9 had no cytotoxicity at the concentrations below 6 mg·L-1. After MW-9 treatment, mouse body weight was gradually reduced, and the serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly down-regulated. Compared with the model group, MW-9 significantly decreased the expression of p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 protein. Conclusions MW-9 has significant anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo, and its underlying mechanism for the treatment of UC may be associated with the inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway.

Recent Advances in Tailored Fabrication and Properties of Biobased Self-Healing Polyurethane.

With the emergence of challenges in the environmental degradation and resource scarcity fields, the research of biobased self-healing polyurethane (BSPU) has become a prevailing trend in the technology of the polyurethane industry and a promising direction for developing biomass resources. Here, the production of BSPU from lignocellulose, vegetable oil, chitosan, collagen, and coumarin is classified, and the principles of designing polyurethane based on compelling examples using the latest methods and current research are summarized. Moreover, the impact of biomass materials on self-healing and mechanical properties, as well as the tailored performance method, are presented in detail. Finally, the applications of BSPU in biomedicine, sensors, coatings, etc. are also summarized, and the possible challenges and development prospects are explored to helpfully make progress in the development of BSPU. These findings demonstrate valuable references and practical significance for future BSPU research.

Dietary γ-mangostin triggers immunogenic cell death and activates cGAS signaling in acute myeloid leukemia.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD), one of cell-death types through release of damage-associated molecular patterns from dying tumor cells, activates tumor-specific immune response and elicits anti-tumor immunity by traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, whether natural products could induce ICD in leukemia is not elucidated. Here, we report dietary γ-mangostin eradicates murine primary leukemic cells and prolongs the survival of leukemic mice. As well, it restrains primary leukemic cells and CD34+ leukemic progenitor cells from leukemia patients. Strikingly, γ-mangostin attenuates leukemic cells by inducing ICD as characterized by expression of HSP90B1, ANXA1 and IL1B. Additionally, γ-mangostin accelerates cytoplasmic chromatin fragments generation, promoting DNA damage response, and enhances cGAS activation, leading to up-regulation of chemokines. Meanwhile, it induces HDAC4 degradation and acetylated histone H3 accumulation, which promotes chemokines transcription. Ultimately, CD8+ T cell is activated and recruited by γ-mangostin-induced chemokines in the microenvironment. Our study identifies γ-mangostin triggers ICD and activates cGAS signaling through DNA damage response and epigenetic modification. Therefore, dietary γ-mangostin would act as a potential agent to provoke anti-tumor immunity in the prevention and treatment of leukemia.

STAT5 promotes PD-L1 expression by facilitating histone lactylation to drive immunosuppression in acute myeloid leukemia.

Immunotherapy is a revolutionized therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment attributing to the rapid development of genomics and immunology, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have successfully achieved responses in numbers of tumor types, including hematopoietic malignancy. However, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease and there is still a lack of systematic demonstration to apply immunotherapy in AML based on PD-1/PD-L1 blockage. Thus, the identification of molecules that drive tumor immunosuppression and stratify patients according to the benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors is urgently needed. Here, we reported that STAT5 was highly expressed in the AML cohort and activated the promoter of glycolytic genes to promote glycolysis in AML cells. As a result, the increased-lactate accumulation promoted E3BP nuclear translocation and facilitated histone lactylation, ultimately inducing PD-L1 transcription. Immune checkpoint inhibitor could block the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1 and reactive CD8+ T cells in the microenvironment when co-culture with STAT5 constitutively activated AML cells. Clinically, lactate accumulation in bone marrow was positively correlated with STAT5 as well as PD-L1 expression in newly diagnosed AML patients. Therefore, we have illustrated a STAT5-lactate-PD-L1 network in AML progression, which demonstrates that AML patients with STAT5 induced-exuberant glycolysis and lactate accumulation may be benefited from PD-1/PD-L-1-based immunotherapy.

Clinical effect of early enteral nutrition support on critically ill neonates with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of early enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill neonates supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 16 critically ill neonates who received ECMO support for respiratory and circulatory failure from July 2021 to December 2022 at our center. The patients were divided into two groups: the early EN group (< 24 h) and the late EN group (> 24 h). The related clinical and nutrition-related indicators between the groups were compared. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the time from ECMO treatment to the start of EN between the early EN group (9 patients, 56.2%) and the late EN group (7 patients, 43.8%) (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in ECMO duration, hospitalization time, vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS), intestinal oxygen saturation, or routine stool occult blood (OB) test between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The incidence of complications such as intestinal obstruction, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was slightly lower in the early EN group, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The early EN group had a shorter time [3.6 (3.5, 5) vs. 7.5 (5.9, 8.5) d] to reach full gastrointestinal nutrition compared to the late EN group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Providing early nutritional support through enteral feeding to critically ill neonates receiving ECMO treatment is both safe and practical, but close monitoring of clinical and nutritional indicators is essential.

Fibroblast growth factor 15, induced by elevated bile acids, mediates the improvement of hepatic glucose metabolism after sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 15/19, which is expressed in and secreted from the distal ileum, can regulate hepatic glucose metabolism in an endocrine manner. The levels of both bile acids (BAs) and FGF15/19 are elevated after bariatric surgery. However, it is unclear whether the increase in FGF15/19 is induced by BAs. Moreover, it remains to be understood whether FGF15/19 elevations contribute to improvements in hepatic glucose metabolism after bariatric surgery. AIM: To investigate the mechanism of improvement of hepatic glucose metabolism by elevated BAs after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). METHODS: By calculating and comparing the changes of body weight after SG with SHAM group, we examined the weight-loss effect of SG. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) test and area under the curve of OGTT curves were used to assess the anti-diabetic effects of SG. By detecting the glycogen content, expression and activity of glycogen synthase as well as the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck), we evaluated the hepatic glycogen content and gluconeogenesis activity. We examined the levels of total BA (TBA) together with the farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-agonistic BA subspecies in systemic serum and portal vein at week 12 post-surgery. Then the histological expression of ileal FXR and FGF15 and hepatic FGF receptor 4 (FGFR4) with its corresponding signal pathways involved in glucose metabolism were detected. RESULTS: After surgery, food intake and body weight gain of SG group was decreased compare with the SHAM group. The hepatic glycogen content and glycogen synthase activity was significantly stimulated after SG, while the expression of the key enzyme for hepatic gluconeogenesis: G6Pase and Pepck, were depressed. TBA levels in serum and portal vein were both elevated after SG, the FXR-agonistic BA subspecies: Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), lithocholic acid (LCA) in serum and CDCA, DCA, LCA in portal vein were all higher in SG group than that in SHAM group. Consequently, the ileal expression of FXR and FGF15 were also advanced in SG group. Moreover, the hepatic expression of FGFR4 was stimulated in SG-operated rats. As a result, the activity of its corresponding pathway for glycogen synthesis: FGFR4-Ras-extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway was stimulated, while the corresponding pathway for hepatic gluconeogenesis: FGFR4- cAMP regulatory element-binding protein- peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α pathway was suppressed. CONCLUSION: Elevated BAs after SG induced FGF15 expression in distal ileum by activating their receptor FXR. Furthermore, the promoted FGF15 partly mediated the improving effects on hepatic glucose metabolism of SG.

Detection of Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma ovis in Melophagus ovinus from southern Xinjiang, China.

Melophagus ovinus is a hematophagous insect that is distributed worldwide and plays a crucial role in transmitting disease-causing pathogens. From June 2021 to March 2022, a total of 370 M. ovinus were collected from 11 sampling points in southern Xinjiang, China. The specimens were identified using morphological and molecular analyses. Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma ovis were detected from all the samples using seven Rickettsia-specific genetic markers and the msp-4 gene of A. ovis. Approximately 11% of the M. ovinus specimens were positive for Rickettsia spp., and Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae was the most predominant species (35/41; 85.4%), while R. massiliae was least prevalent (6/41; 14.6%). Approximately 10.5% (39/370) of the M. ovinus specimens were positive for A. ovis of genotype III, which was co-detected with Candidatus R. barbariae in M. ovinus (3/370; 0.8%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the detection of R. massiliae and Candidatus R. barbariae in M. ovinus globally. The detection and control of insect-borne diseases originating from M. ovinus should be strengthened in southern Xinjiang, an area important to animal husbandry and production.

Clinical effect and follow-up of laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy for upper gastric carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and clinical effect of tubular esophagogastric anastomosis in laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 191 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2017 to October 2020. Patients were divided into tubular esophagogastric anastomosis group (TG group) and traditional esophagogastric anastomosis group (EG group) according to the digestive tract reconstruction. Their intraoperative conditions, perioperative recovery and postoperative follow-up were compared. Patients were also divided into indocyanine green group and non-indocyanine green group according to whether or not indocyanine green tracer technology was used during the operation. Their intraoperative condition and perioperative recovery were compared and analyzed after propensity score matching. Results: The operation was successfully completed in all patients. Compared with the EG group, the TG group had less volume of gastric tube drainage, shorter gastric tube drainage time and proton pump inhibitors application time, and lower reuse rate of proton pump inhibitors. However, the TG group had a higher anastomotic stenosis at three months after surgery, as measured using anastomotic width and dysphagia score. Nevertheless, the incidence of reflux esophagitis and postoperative quality of life score in the TG group were lower compared with the EG group at 1st and 2nd year after surgery. In the indocyanine green analysis, the indocyanine green group had significantly shorter total operation time and lymph node dissection time and less intraoperative blood loss compared with the non-indocyanine green group. However, compared with the non-indocyanine green group, more postoperative lymph nodes were obtained in the indocyanine green group. Conclusion: Laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy is safe and effective treatment option for upper gastric cancer. Tubular esophagogastric anastomosis has more advantages in restoring postoperative gastrointestinal function and reducing reflux, but it has a higher incidence of postoperative anastomotic stenosis compared with traditional esophagogastrostomy. The application of indocyanine green tracer technique in laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy has positive significance.

Morphological change and differential proteomics analysis of gill in Mytilus coruscus under starvation.

Mytilus coruscus is a dominant shellfish in the Yangtze estuary and its adjacent sea area. Food deprivation often occurs during their growth due to fluctuations in algal abundance caused by seasonal freshwater flushing and high-density aquaculture mode. To investigate the coping strategies of M. coruscus to starvation stress, electron microscopy and differential proteomic analysis were performed on the critical feeding organ gill of the mussels after 9 days of starvation. The electron microscopy results showed that the cilia of the mussel gills were dissolved, and the gaps between gill filaments widened under starvation. Differential proteomic analysis revealed that phagocytosis-related proteins such as ATPeV1E, ATPeV1C, LAMP1_2 and CTSL were significantly upregulated, and the phagocytosis pathway was significantly enriched (p < 0.05). In addition, the corin content in gill and myeloperoxidase level as well as the number of dead cells in blood were both significantly increased (p < 0.05). What's more, proteomic data suggested that immune maintenance, cellular transport and metabolism related pathways were significantly enriched, which illustrated an immune and metabolism responses under starvation. This study reveals for the first time that phagocytosis functions as an essential strategy for M. coruscus to cope with starvation, which provides new scientific knowledge and a theoretical basis for understanding the adaptation mechanisms of mussel to starvation and for rational optimization of mussel culture patterns.

Correction: Recent advances in self-healing polyurethane based on dynamic covalent bonds combined with other self-healing methods.

Correction for 'Recent advances in self-healing polyurethane based on dynamic covalent bonds combined with other self-healing methods' by Ze-Wei An et al., Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 6505-6520, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR07110J.

Metagenomic Discovery of "Candidatus Parvarchaeales"-Related Lineages Sheds Light on Adaptation and Diversification from Neutral-Thermal to Acidic-Mesothermal Environments.

"Candidatus Parvarchaeales" microbes, representing a DPANN archaeal group with limited metabolic potential and reliance on hosts for their growth, were initially found in acid mine drainage (AMD). Due to the lack of representatives, however, their ecological roles and adaptation to extreme habitats such as AMD as well as how they diverge across the lineage remain largely unexplored. By applying genome-resolved metagenomics, 28 Parvarchaeales-associated metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) representing two orders and five genera were recovered. Among them, we identified three new genera and proposed the names "Candidatus Jingweiarchaeum," "Candidatus Haiyanarchaeum," and "Candidatus Rehaiarchaeum," with the former two belonging to a new order, "Candidatus Jingweiarchaeales." Further analyses of the metabolic potentials revealed substantial niche differentiation between Jingweiarchaeales and Parvarchaeales. Jingweiarchaeales may rely on fermentation, salvage pathways, partial glycolysis, and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) for energy conservation reservation, while the metabolic potentials of Parvarchaeales might be more versatile. Comparative genomic analyses suggested that Jingweiarchaeales favor habitats with higher temperatures and that Parvarchaeales are better adapted to acidic environments. We further revealed that the thermal adaptation of these lineages, especially Haiyanarchaeum, might rely on genomic features such as the usage of specific amino acids, genome streamlining, and hyperthermophile featured genes such as rgy. Notably, the adaptation of Parvarchaeales to acidic environments was possibly driven by horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The reconstruction of ancestral states demonstrated that both may have originated from thermal and neutral environments and later spread to mesothermal and acidic environments. These evolutionary processes may also be accompanied by adaptation to oxygen-rich environments via HGT. IMPORTANCE "Candidatus Parvarchaeales" microbes may represent a lineage uniquely distributed in extreme environments such as AMD and hot springs. However, little is known about the strategies and processes of how they adapted to these extreme environments. By the discovery of potential new order-level lineages, "Ca. Jingweiarchaeales," and in-depth comparative genomic analysis, we unveiled the functional differentiation of these lineages. Furthermore, we show that the adaptation of these lineages to high-temperature and acidic environments was driven by different strategies, with the former relying more on genomic characteristics such as genome streamlining and amino acid compositions and the latter relying more on the acquisition of genes associated with acid tolerance. Finally, by the reconstruction of the ancestral states of the optimal growth temperature (OGT) and isoelectric point (pI), we showed the potential evolutionary process of Parvarchaeales-related lineages with regard to the shift from the high-temperature environment of their common ancestors to low-temperature (potentially acidic) environments.

Recent advances in self-healing polyurethane based on dynamic covalent bonds combined with other self-healing methods.

To meet more application requirements, improving mechanical properties and self-healing efficiency has become the focus of current research on self-healing PU. The competitive relationship between self-healing ability and mechanical properties cannot be avoided by a single self-healing method. To address this problem, a growing number of studies have combined dynamic covalent bonding with other self-healing methods to construct the PU structure. This review summarizes recent studies on PU materials that combine typical dynamic covalent bonds with other self-healing methods. It mainly includes four parts: hydrogen bonding, metal coordination bonding, nanofillers combined with dynamic covalent bonding and multiple dynamic covalent bond bonding. The advantages and disadvantages of different self-healing methods and their significant role in improving self-healing ability and mechanical properties in PU networks are analyzed. At the same time, the possible challenges and research directions of self-healing PU materials in the future are discussed.

Self-Healable, Solvent Response Cellulose Nanocrystal/Waterborne Polyurethane Nanocomposites with Encryption Capability.

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based chiral nematic structure is widely used in stimulus response and sensing. A popular area of research is enhancing the mechanical characteristics and environmental adaptability of chiral nematic materials. In this paper, a flexible photonic film with self-healing ability (FPFS) was prepared by combining waterborne polyurethane containing dynamic covalent disulfide bonds (SSWPU) with CNC. The results found that the FPFS showed excellent toughness under the action of stretching, bending, twisting, and folding. The FPFS exhibited an amazing self-healing efficiency, which can be self-healed within 2 h at room temperature. Moreover, the FPFS could respond immediately and produce reversible color change when it was soaked in typical solvents. In addition, when ethanol was used as ink to paint on the FPFS, a visible pattern only under polarized light was formed. This study offers fresh perspectives in the areas of self-healing, biological anticounterfeiting, solvent response, and flexible photonic materials.

[Effects of family dignity intervention on male infertility patients and their spouses].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of family dignity intervention (FDI) on anxiety, depression, hope level and quality of life (QOL) of male infertility patients and their spouses. METHODS: Using quasi-experimental design, we selected male infertility patients and their spouses undergoing human-assisted reproductive technology (ART) in our Center of Reproductive Medicine from June to December 2022 and divided them into an intervention group (38 couples) and a control group (40 couples). The former underwent a four-stage FDI, including ovulation promotion cycle assessment, family sharing, pre-transplantation interview and post-transplantation follow-up, while the latter received routine nursing. Using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Herth Hope Index and Fertility Quality of Life Scale, we evaluated the effects of FDI before and after transplantation. RESULTS: After FDI, the anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and the total scores on the hope level and all other dimensions remarkably higher in the intervention group than in the control (P < 0.05). The self-confidence of the couples in the intervention groups in ART treatment was markedly increased in comparison with that of the controls, and their scores on physical and mental health were significantly higher than those of the latter (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: FDI can effectively relieve the anxiety and depression, raise the hope level and improve the quality of life of both male infertility patients and their spouses.

Comparative efficacy and safety of immunotherapy for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and network Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare efficacy and safety of various immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: We searched Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Clinical Trials.gov and several international conference databases from January 1, 2000 to December 19, 2021. We conducted Bayesian network meta-analysis to assess the relative effects among treatments. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate and adverse events. RESULTS: Ten eligible trials with 5250 patients were included. Toripalimab and Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy were preferred to rank first on OS (probability, 61%) and PFS (probability, 37%) in the first-line setting, respectively. In refractory patients, Sintilimab and Camrlizumab were most likely to be ranked first on OS (probability, 37%) and PFS (probability, 94%). The toxicity related to immunotherapy was manageable in clinical trials. Camrelizumab and Nivolumab had the less adverse events of grade 3 or higher in the first and refractory setting, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that Toripalimab and Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy were likely to be the best option in terms of OS and PFS in the first-line setting for patients with advanced or metastatic ESCC respectively. Sintilimab and Camrelizumab were the preferred options for OS and PFS in refractory patients respectively. The toxicity of immunotherapy was different from conventional chemotherapy, but manageable in patients with ESCC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: (CRD 42021261554).

Cesium carbonate-catalyzed synthesis of phosphorothioates via S-phosphination of thioketones.

A highly efficient and environmentally-friendly base-mediated transition metal-free direct thiophilic catalytic approach is reported for the synthesis of S-benzhydryl-phosphorothioates by reacting phosphite nucleophiles with diarylmethanethione. A wide variety of thioketones were coupled with different phosphite derivatives to provide the corresponding phosphorothioates in good to excellent yields. The control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations rely on the regio-selective thiophilic addition of a phosphite nucleophile via umpolung protocols.