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Summary: Background: Microplastics are environmental pollutants detected in various human organs and tissues. These particles originate from multiple sources including the degradation of larger plastic items and the intentional inclusion in consumer goods. Potential risks for human health resulting from microplastics exposure have also been reported. However, the distribution in the male reproductive system and its effect remains largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the presence of multiple microplastics in human semen and urine and their association with sperm quality in a multi-site study across China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 113 male participants from three regions in China. Semen and urine samples were collected and analysed using Raman microscopy to detect eight types of microplastics: polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Semen quality parameters, including total sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology, were assessed. Statistical analyses, including single and multi-variable models, were used to evaluate the relationship between microplastic exposure and semen quality, with a focus on PTFE, after adjusting confounding factors of age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol drinking, and sites. Findings: Microplastics were detected in all semen and urine samples, with participants typically exposed to 3–5 different types. The detection rates of PS, PP and PE were the highest. Notably, PTFE exposure was significantly associated with decreased semen quality. Participants exposed to PTFE showed reductions in total sperm count [188.90 ± 163.71 vs. 207.67 ± 132.36 million, p = 0.091], sperm concentration [52.13 ± 47.47 vs. 58.32 ± 37.26 million/mL, p = 0.041], and progressive motility [40.29% ± 19.06 vs. 34.11% ± 17.02, p = 0.083]. The multi-linear regression analysis indicated that each additional type of microplastic exposure was associated with a significant decrease in total sperm number [β = −15.4 (95% CI: −25.6, −5.2)], sperm concentration [β = −7.2 (95% CI: −12.4, −2.0)], and progressive motility [β = −8.3 (95% CI: −13.5, −3.1)]. Latent category analysis further refined these groups by types of microplastic exposure, highlighting specific types more strongly associated with decreased semen quality (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8, 6.9, p

Abstract Background New “noncardiac” problems in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), such as developmental delay or long-term neurodevelopmental impairments, have attracted considerable attention in recent years. It is hypothesized that exercise might attenuate CHD-associated neurodevelopmental impairments; however, this has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled experiment was to evaluate the impact of customized home-based exercise for children with CHD. Methods Children aged 0–5 years with echocardiography-confirmed simple CHD subtypes who were scheduled to undergo cardiac catheterization were screened for enrolment. Among 420 screened CHD children, 192 were enrolled and randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive a 6-month intervention (30 min daily customized home-based exercise program with supervision for no less than 5 days per week, combined with home-based exercise education) or control treatment (home-based education). The primary outcome was motor development (gross motor quotient (GMQ), fine motor quotient (FMQ), and total motor quotient (TMQ)). The secondary outcomes were cardiac function and structure, bone quality, physical development, parental anxiety, caregiver burden, and quality of life. Children and their families were assessed before and 1, 3, and 6 months after catheterization; 183 (95.3%) children were included in the primary analysis. Results After 6-month treatment, the intervention group significantly increased their motor quotient, which was consistently higher than that of the control group (GMQ p 0.017). For parents, higher quality of life level (total score p = 0.016) was observed in the intervention group; while effects of exercise on the anxiety (rude score p = 0.159, standard score p = 0.159) or the Zarit caregiver burden scale score (p = 0.404) were non-significant. No adverse events occurred during the study period. Conclusions Customized home-based exercise improved motor development in children with CHD. While the long-term effects of parent training in home-based exercise are unknown, the study results suggest positive outcomes. Trial registration A home-based exercise program in congenital heart disease children with cardiac catheterization: a randomized controlled trial. ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/ , ChiCTR-IOR-16007762, January 14, 2016).

Study Design. A retrospective observational study. Objective. To assess whether the six-minute walk test (6MWT) can predict cardiopulmonary function in children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) as an alternative to the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Summary of Background Data. Cardiopulmonary functional impairment in the setting of IS is a common health problem. A simple and convenient assessment method is needed. Materials and Methods. We recruited 65 children (eight male, 57 female) aged 10.70 to 14.84 years old with IS. Radiographic characteristics of the cohort were measured, including Risser's sign and Cobb angle. We measured cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance using both the 6MWT and CPET and their corresponding indicators, including six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between 6MWT indicators and IS parameters. Linear regression models were used to explore the relationship between 6MWT and CPET response indicators. Results. Over a third of the cohort (35.4%) had a Risser's sign grade of 0, with 21.5% in grade 2 and 3, respectively. The cohort's mean Cobb angle was 26.02°. 6MWD was significantly positively correlated with Risser's sign (R= 0.258; P=0.038) and change in respiratory rate positively correlated with vertebral rotation (R=0.264; P= 0.034). 6MWD positively correlated with peak VO2, peak VO2/heart rate (HR), and metabolic equivalents, and negatively correlated with the ventilation equivalent of the carbon dioxide slope (VE/VCO2 slope) (P< 0.05). These four CPET indicators were found to be predicted from 6MWD in the linear regression model (P< 0.05). Conclusions. CPET response indicators, especially peak VO2, can be predicted using 6MWD, among other factors. The 6MWT can therefore be used to rapidly and efficiently predict the cardiorespiratory tolerance of children with IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis that is a rare complication of ovarian teratoma. The primary treatment is surgical resection of the tumor combined with immunotherapy, however, the pathogenesis of ovarian teratoma associated anti-NMDAR encephalitis is still unclear. In addition, the patients present with various clinical manifestations, with neurological manifestations predominating, which is easy to be misdiagnosed and overlooked, requiring joint diagnosis and treatment by gynecologists and neurologists. This article briefly describes the structure and function of NMDAR, reviews the previous research results on ovarian teratoma associated anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and summarizes the research progress on its pathogenesis, early diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and recurrence, aiming to provide theoretical basis and ideas for better diagnosis and treatment of ovarian teratoma associated anti-NMDAR encephalitis.