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Background The role of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in semen parameters and male infertility is still a controversial area. Previous studies have found bacterial infection in a minority of infertile leukocytospermic males. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of STIs in semen from subfertile men with leukocytospermia (LCS) and without leukocytospermia (non-LCS) and their associations with sperm quality. Methods Semen samples were collected from 195 men who asked for a fertility evaluation. Infection with the above 6 pathogens was assessed in each sample. Sperm quality was compared in subfertile men with and without LCS. Results The LCS group had significantly decreased semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, total motility and normal morphology. The infection rates of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uuu), Ureaplasma parvum (Uup), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) were 8.7 %, 21.0 %, 8.2 %, 2.1 %, 3.6 %, 1.0 and 0 %, respectively. The STI detection rates of patients with LCS were higher than those of the non-LCS group (52.3 % vs. 39.3 %), although there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.07). All semen parameters were not significantly different between LCS with STIs and without STIs, except the semen volume in the MG-infected patients with LCS was significantly lower than that in the noninfected group. Conclusions LCS was associated with a reduction in semen quality, but was not associated with STIs.

Objective To characterize the inferior adrenal artery (IAA) pulsatility index (PI) in intrauterine growth–restricted (IUGR) fetuses without brain sparing. Methods Twenty-three IUGR fetuses with a normal Doppler cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and 23 normal controls were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. The PI of the IAA was recorded using routine transabdominal Doppler ultrasound. The differences in Doppler characteristics, perinatal outcomes, and steroidogenesis in the umbilical vein at birth (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] and cortisol [F] levels) were compared between the 2 groups. The correlations between IAA-PI and steroidogenesis were assessed in the IUGR group. Results IAA-PI was significantly lower in IUGR fetuses than in normal controls (0.85 vs 1.18 at first scan, 0.78 vs 0.92 at last scan; both P < 0.001). The plasma F and ACTH levels in IUGR cases were significantly higher than those of the normal controls (18.2 vs 12.4 µg/dL and 280.5 vs 125.6 pg/mL for F and ACTH, respectively; both P < 0.001). There were negative correlations between IAA-PI and plasma F values and between IAA-PI and ACTH values in the IUGR group (r = −0.774 and −0.82 at first scan, r = −0.525 and −0.45 at last scan, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusion Increased adrenal gland blood flow with concomitant increases in ACTH and F levels were observed in IUGR fetuses. IAA-PI is useful to assess early blood redistribution and may be beneficial for evaluating the steroidogenic response in high-risk pregnancies.

Disturbance of intestinal homeostasis promotes the development of type 2 diabetes. Although intensive insulin therapy has been shown to promote extended glycemic remission in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients through multiple mechanisms, its effect on intestinal homeostasis remains unknown. This study evaluated the effects of intensive insulin therapy on intestinal morphometric parameters in a hyperglycemic mice model induced by high-fat diet (HFD). 16S rRNA V4 region sequencing and multivariate analysis were utilized to evaluate the structural changes of gut microbiota. HFD-induced increases in the lengths of villus, microvillus and crypt depth were significantly reversed after intensive insulin therapy. Moreover, intestinal proliferation was notably decreased after intensive insulin therapy, whereas intestinal apoptosis was further increased. Importantly, intensive insulin therapy significantly shifted the overall structure of the HFD-disrupted gut microbiota toward that of mice fed a normal diet and changed the gut microbial composition. The abundances of 54 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were changed by intensive insulin therapy. Thirty altered OTUs correlated with two or more intestinal morphometric parameters and were designated ‘functionally relevant phylotypes.’ For the first time, our data indicate that intensive insulin therapy recovers diabetes-associated gut structural abnormalities and restores the microbiome landscape. Moreover, specific altered ‘functionally relevant phylotypes’ correlates with improvement in diabetes-associated gut structural alterations.

In spite of the achievement in treatment, the gastric cancer (GC) mortality still remains high. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small noncoding RNAs that play a crucial part in tumor progression. In this study, we explored the expression and function of microRNA-501-5p (miR-501-5p) in GC cell lines. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay results suggested that miR-501-5p was significantly upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. And, the Cell Counting Kit-8 colony formation and cell migration assay results showed that the downregulation of miR-501-5p decreased GC cell proliferation and migration. Besides that, we found that GC cell cycle was arrested in G2 phase and cell apoptosis rate was increased by silencing the expression of miR-501-5p in GC cell lines using the flow cytometry. We also found that miR-501-5p could directly target lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) and negatively regulate LPAR1 expression in GC cell lines by performing dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot analysis. And, LPAR1 was significantly downregulated in GC tissues and inversely correlated with miR-501-5p expression. Furthermore, LPAR1 downregulation promoted cell proliferation and migration, which were attenuated by cotransfection of miR-501-5p inhibitor in GC cells. In conclusion, miR-501-5p can promote GC cell proliferation and migration by targeting and downregulating LPAR1. miR-501-5p/LPAR1 may become a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.

OBJECTIVES To assess features and outcome in fetuses with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD). METHODS Fetuses with PA-VSD were prospectively enrolled and grouped on the basis of the pulmonary blood supply, including type A (only arterial duct [DA]), type B (both DA and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries [MAPCAs] present), and type C (MAPCAs only). The echocardiography features, associated chromosomal/genetic malformations, and postnatal outcome were compared among the three groups. RESULTS Fifty-five fetuses with PA-VSD were enrolled. The presence of confluent PAs varied, with the highest displaying rate in type A and lowest rate in type C (100% vs 41.1%). The intrapericardial pulmonary arteries in all groups were hypoplastic but smaller in types B and C than in type A (P < .05). Deletion of 22q11.2 and right aortic arch were more frequently observed in types B and C than in type A. At the end of the study, overall survival rates in type C were lower than those in type A (22.1% vs 77.3%). CONCLUSION There are great differences in the size of pulmonary arteries, associated genetic malformations, and perinatal outcomes among fetuses with PA-VSD. These results could be used for family counseling and surgical planning.

Cytology and histology obstacles have been the main barriers to multiple tissues injury repair. In search of the most promising treatment strategies for spinal cord injury (SCI), stem cell-based transplantation coupled with various materials/technologies have been explored extensively to enhance SCI repair. Chitosan (CS) has demonstrated immense potential for widespread application in the form of scaffolds and micro-particles for SCI repair. The current review summarizes the evidences for stem cell-based transplantation and CS in SCI repair. Stem cells transplantation, which plays a key role in the repair of SCI, mainly results from its neural differentiation potential and neurotrophic effects. Application of CS enhances the survival of grafted stem cells, upregulates the expression level of neurotrophic factors and heightens the neural differentiation of stem cells as well as the functional recovery of spinal cord. Meanwhile, CS can also be exploited as growth factors/RNA carriers to control the release of regenerating molecules which are beneficial to damage spinal cord repair.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine fetal foramen ovale blood flow utilizing pulsed Doppler combined with spatiotemporal image correlation. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 440 normal fetuses between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation. In order to calculate foramen ovale blood flow, the foramen ovale flow velocity–time integral was obtained by pulsed Doppler ultrasonography, and the foramen ovale area was measured by using spatiotemporal image correlation rendering mode. Foramen ovale blood flow was calculated as the product of the foramen ovale area and the velocity–time integral. Results Gestational age-specific reference ranges are given for the absolute blood flow (ml/min) of foramen ovale, showing an exponential increase from 20 to 30 weeks of gestation, and a flat growth trend during the last trimester, while the weight-indexed flow (ml/min/kg) of foramen ovale decreased significantly. The median weight-indexed foramen ovale blood flow was 320.82 ml/min/kg (mean 319.1 ml/min/kg; SD 106.33 ml/min/kg). Conclusions The reference range for fetal foramen ovale blood flow was determined from 20 to 40 weeks of gestation. The present data show that the volume of foramen ovale blood flow might have a limited capacity to increase during the last trimester.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) cases and deaths are still rising worldwide, there is currently no effective treatment for severe inflammation and acute lung injury caused by new coronavirus (SARS‐COV‐2) infection. Therapies to prevent or treat COVID‐19, including antiviral drug and several vaccines, are still being development. Human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), expressing in lung, has been confirmed to be a receptor for SARS‐COV‐2 infection, interventions for attachment of spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 to ACE2 may be a potential approach to prevent viral infections and it is considered as a potential target for drug development. In this study, we observed that seabuckthorn and its flavonoid compounds quercetin and isorhamnetin were shown strong retention to ACE2 overexpression HEK293 (ACE2h) cells by CMC analysis. Based on drug receptor interaction analysis and viral entry studies in vitro, we evaluated the interaction of two flavonoid compounds and ACE2 as well as the inhibitory effect of the two compounds on viral entry. Surface plasmon resonance assay proved the effect that isorhamnetin bound to the ACE2, and its affinity (KD value) was at the micromolar level, that was, 2.51 ± 0.68 μM. Viral entry studies in vitro indicated that isorhamnetin inhibited SARS‐CoV‐2 spike pseudotyped virus entering ACE2h cells. Based on promising in vitro results, we proposed isorhamnetin to be a potential therapeutic candidate compound against COVID‐19.

Background School is the second most important environment for children second to the family. An increasing number of children with epilepsy (CWE) are able to go back to school to continue to study after treatment. In school, CWE can be involved in studies and activities, which is conducive to their growth. However, CWE have to face more barriers than other children in school, such as cognitive impairment, poor attendance, school absenteeism, and learning disability. What is more, even if CWE have been taking antiepileptic medicines, they still have a risk of seizure. Therefore, it is important to ensure the safety of CWE in the school. Teachers play a significant part in managing CWE in school, so we aimed to deeply explore the experiences of school teachers in managing CWE during school. Method Purposive sampling was used to recruit teachers (n = 17) who cared for children with epilepsy in their class. Semi-structured interviews were used to access qualitative data. Framework analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Result Five major themes emerged after analyzing: the recognition of epilepsy, the attitude to children with epilepsy, the barriers to communicate with parents about epilepsy, the reaction to a seizure, and the need for training. Conclusion The findings of this qualitative study reported teachers’ knowledge of and attitude toward epilepsy, the barriers for them to communicate with parents, the reaction to seizure, and the need for training. Although teachers know little about epilepsy, they have a positive attitude toward CWE. There are many obstacles in terms of the communication between teachers and parents. Parents’ cover-ups and teachers’ lack of professional training will put teachers and CWE at risk. In view of the fact that teachers and parents are not professionals, it is necessary for hospitals to play a coordinating role between the two.

Although the thin endometrium (TE) has been widely recognized as a critical factor in implantation failure, the contribution of miRNA–mRNA regulatory network to the development of disease etiology remains to be further elucidated. This study performed an integrative analysis of the miRNA–mRNA expression profiles in the thin and adjacent normal endometrium of eight patients with intrauterine adhesion to construct the transcriptomic regulatory networks. A total of 1,093 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 72 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in the thin adhesive endometrium of the TE group compared with the control adjacent normal endometrial cells. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses showed that the DEGs and the target genes of DEM were significantly enriched in angiogenesis, cell growth regulation, and Wnt signaling pathway. Multiple hub genes (CAV1, MET, MAL2, has-mir-138, ARHGAP6, CLIC4, RRAS, AGFG1, has-mir-200, and has-mir-429) were identified by constructing the miRNA–mRNA regulatory networks. Furthermore, a miRNA–mRNA pathway function analysis was conducted, and the hub genes were enriched in the FoxO signaling pathway, cell growth regulation, inflammatory response regulation, and regulation of autophagy pathways. Our study is the first to perform integrated mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analyses in the thin adhesive endometrium and the control adjacent normal endometrial cells. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of thin endometrium.

Background. Liver cirrhosis is one of the major drivers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we aimed to identify and validate new biomarker for early prediction of HCC development in early-stage cirrhosis patients. Methods. mRNA expression and clinical parameters of GSE63898, GSE89377, GSE15654, GSE14520, and TCGA-HCC cohort and ICGC-HCC cohort were downloaded for analysis. Wilcoxon test was performed to identify DEGs. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to develop the risk signature, and ROC analysis was performed to analyze the predictive accuracy and sensitivity of the risk signature. Results. There were 42 DEGs (including 28 upregulated genes and 14 downregulated genes) found in early-stage liver cirrhosis patients before developing HCC from GSE1565442. Then, a risk signature consisting of 8 DEGs could effectively classify early-stage cirrhosis patients into high-risk group with shorter HCC development time and low-risk group with longer HCC development time from GSE15654. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that the risk signature was an independent prognostic factor for the prediction of HCC development and ROC analysis showed that the signature exhibited good predictive efficiency in predicting 2-, 5-, and 10-year HCC development. Mechanistically, significantly higher proportions of CD8 T cells were found to be enriched in cirrhosis patients with low risk score, and higher CD8 T cells were associated with longer HCC development time. Besides, the signature was an independent prognostic factor for poorer prognosis of early-stage liver cirrhosis patients of GSE15654. Moreover, the signature could also separate HCC patients from healthy controls and was also associated with the poorer prognosis of HCC patients from three HCC cohorts. Finally, we also identified HDAC inhibitors, such as trichostatin A, to be a potential chemopreventive treatment for the prevention of HCC development by targeting risk signature based on CMap analysis. Conclusion. A risk signature was developed and validated for early prediction of HCC development, which may be a useful tool to set up individualized follow-up interval schedules.

BACKGROUND To evaluate the effects of exercise programmes on pain, function and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang from inception to February 2020. Randomized controlled trials comparing exercises with nonexercise interventions in AS patients were applied. Studies that assessed the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were included. Outcomes of home-based exercise intervention were also reported independently. RESULTS Ten studies met the inclusion criteria in all, including 534 patients (278 exercise, 256 control). Compared with the nonexercise group, exercise group had statistically significant improvements in pain (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -1.02 [95% CI: -1.50 to -0.55]) (I2 : 31%, P

Background Exposure to high ergonomic risk resulted in an increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professional. However, little is known about the high exposure risk impact on work ability among dental professionals. Objective We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between ergonomic risk exposure and work ability among young dental professionals in their early careers. Methods A total of 230 dental professionals including dentists, dental assistants, and nurses were clustered sampled from three hospitals in Guangzhou, south of China. We used the Quick Ergonomic Check (QEC) to assess participants' ergonomic risk exposure and Work Ability Index (WAI) to evaluate their work ability. Demographics and other factors related with WAI were also included in the data collection. Multiple linear regression was applied to analyze the association between ergonomic exposure scores and WAI. Results A total of 218 participants (94.8%) had valid data and consent forms. The participants' average WAI was 39.6, of which the poor and moderate WAI composed 31%. High and very high ergonomic risk exposure level was 45.9% for the neck and 21.1% for the wrist/hand. In general, WAI decreased with higher ergonomic exposure level. With adjustment of other potential risk factors, the ergonomic scores for wrist/hand and total scores for the whole body were significantly associated with the decreased WAI. Conclusion High ergonomic risk exposure might risk in reducing work ability among young dental professionals. Intervention measures toward ergonomic risk should be taken to prevent WAI from decreasing in their early careers.

Summary Background The management of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is a new priority action for the WHO End Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy. However, national guidelines on latent tuberculosis infection testing and treatment have not yet been developed in China. Here, we present the results from the 2-year follow-up of a study that aimed to track the development of active disease in individuals with latent tuberculosis infection, identify priority populations for latent infection management, and explore the most suitable latent infection diagnostic approach. Methods A population-based multicentre prospective study was done in four sites in rural China, between 2013 and 2015. The baseline survey in 2013 measured the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection using QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) in eligible participants. During the follow-up phase between 2014–15, we assessed individuals who had tuberculosis infection at baseline (QFT-positivity or TST tuberculin reaction size [induration] of ≥10 mm) for the development of active disease through active case finding. Eligible participants included in follow-up survey had a birth date before June 1, 2008 (5 years or older in 2013), and continuous residence at the study site for 6 months or longer in the past year. Participants with current active tuberculosis at baseline survey were excluded. Findings Between Sept 1, 2013, and Aug 31, 2015, 7505 eligible participants (aged 5 years or older) were included in tuberculosis infection test positive cohorts (4455 were QFT positive, 6404 had TST induration ≥10 mm, and 3354 were positive for both tests) after baseline examination. During the 2-year follow-up period, 84 incident cases of active tuberculosis were diagnosed. Of participants who developed active tuberculosis, 75 were diagnosed with latent infection by QFT, 62 were diagnosed by TST, and 53 were diagnosed by both tests. An incidence rate of 0·87 (95% CI 0·68–1·07) per 100 person-years was observed for individuals who tested positive with QFT, 0·50 (0·38–0·63) per 100 person-years for those who tested positive with TST (p Interpretation Our results suggest that high-risk populations in communities in rural China, such as individuals at a high risk of disease reactivation from previous tuberculosis, should be targeted for latent infection screening and treatment with an interferon-γ releasing assay rather than a TST. Funding National Science and Technology Major Project of China, Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University of China, CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences, and Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen.

Clinical and experimental data suggest that early insulin therapy could reduce lipotoxicity in subjects and animal models with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be clarified. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), which is negatively regulated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), plays a critical role in lipotoxicity and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells. Here, we investigated the effect and molecular mechanism of insulin intervention on the AMPK/SREBP-1c pathway in skeletal muscle cells with chronic exposure to palmitic acid (PA). Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and were then treated with insulin, AMPK inhibitor, or metformin. L6 myotubes incubated with palmitic acid (PA) were treated with insulin or metformin. Dominant-negative AMPKα2 (DN-AMPKα2) lentivirus, AMPKα2 siRNA, or Rho-kinase 1 (ROCK1) siRNA were transfected into PA-treated L6 myotubes. We found that the ability of PA to stimulate SREBP-1c and inhibit AMPK was reversed by insulin in L6 cells. Moreover, DN-AMPKα2 lentivirus and AMPKα2 siRNA were transfected into PA-treated L6 myotubes, and the decrease in SREBP-1c expression caused by insulin was blocked by AMPK inhibition independent of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. The serine/threonine kinase Rho-kinase (ROCK) 1, a downstream effector of the small G protein RhoA, was activated by PA. Interestingly, knockdown of ROCK1 by siRNA blocked the downregulation of AMPK phosphorylation under PA-treated L6 myotubes, which indicated that ROCK1 mediated the effect of insulin action on AMPK. Our study indicated that insulin reduced lipotoxicity via ROCK1 and then improved AMPK/SREBP-1c signaling in skeletal muscle under PA-induced insulin resistance.

Aims Diminished energy turnover of skeletal muscle is involved in the development of type 2 diabetes. Intensive insulin therapy has been reported to maintain glycaemic control in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, while the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to characterize the contribution of muscular mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) activity to insulin-induced glycaemic control. Materials and methods There were 21 drug naive patients with type 2 diabetes receiving continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for 7 days. Nine nondiabetics matched for age, body mass index, and physical activity were recruited as controls. We applied 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to record in vivo muscular phosphocreatine (PCr) flux in controls and diabetics before and after insulin therapy. The mitochondrial OxPhos rate was calculated as ΔPCr / Δtime during the first 50 seconds after cessation of exercise. Results In drug naive type 2 diabetes, muscular mitochondrial OxPhos rate was restored after insulin therapy. Notably, this alteration was positively associated with the improvements of 1,5-anhydroglucitol, a serum marker for glucose control over the last 1 week, as well as homeostasis model assessment of β cell function and C-peptide/glucose ratio t0 , two indices for basal insulin secretion. Furthermore, patients with diabetes family history and more severe glucotoxicity tend to achieve greater improvement in mitochondrial function by insulin. Conclusions This study provides evidence that intensive insulin therapy facilitates muscular energy metabolism in drug naive type 2 diabetes. It correlates to the recovery of β cell function, contributing to insulin-induced glucose control.

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a high prevalence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we sought to provide a comprehensive assessment regarding the effects of anti-diabetic agents on NAFLD in patients with T2DM. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with different anti-diabetic agents in T2DM. Observational trials were also recruited to expand our population. Hepatic fat content and liver histology were evaluated as primary outcomes. Pooled estimates were calculated using a fixed effect model. Results One thousand one hundred ninety-six participants in 19 RCTs and 14 non-randomized studies were included. Evidence from RCTs and observational studies suggested that greater hepatic fat content reduction and improved liver histology were seen in thiazolidinediones for 12–72 weeks; glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists had beneficial effects on hepatic fat content after 26–50 weeks intervention, and insulin/metformin combination with 3–7 months improved hepatic fat content. Initiating metformin or dapagliflozin showed no benefit on hepatic fat content or liver histology in 16–48 weeks. Besides, nateglinide for 18 months was reported in a small sample-size RCT to improve hepatic fat content and liver histology. Sitagliptin therapy of 1 year also provided benefit on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis score in an observational study. Conclusions For T2DM with NAFLD, administrating thiazolidinediones and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists seems to provide more identified advances in attenuating hepatic fat content. Further RCTs are warranted to assess the efficacy of various hypoglycemic agents on clinical outcomes associated with NAFLD in T2DM. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Summary Intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) control the intestinal homeostatic response to inflammation and regeneration. The underlying mechanisms are unclear. Cytokine-STAT5 signaling regulates intestinal epithelial homeostasis and responses to injury. We link STAT5 signaling to IESC replenishment upon injury by depletion or activation of Stat5 transcription factor. We found that depletion of Stat5 led to deregulation of IESC marker expression and decreased LGR5+ IESC proliferation. STAT5-deficient mice exhibited worse intestinal histology and impaired crypt regeneration after γ-irradiation. We generated a transgenic mouse model with inducible expression of constitutively active Stat5. In contrast to Stat5 depletion, activation of STAT5 increased IESC proliferation, accelerated crypt regeneration, and conferred resistance to intestinal injury. Furthermore, ectopic activation of STAT5 in mouse or human stem cells promoted LGR5+ IESC self-renewal. Accordingly, STAT5 promotes IESC proliferation and regeneration to mitigate intestinal inflammation. STAT5 is a functional therapeutic target to improve the IESC regenerative response to gut injury., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • Loss of STAT5 impairs intestinal stem cell proliferation • Activated STAT5 increases intestinal stem cell regeneration • Activation of cytokine-STAT5 signaling mitigates intestinal inflammation, In this article, Han and colleagues link STAT5 signaling to intestinal stem cell replenishment upon injury. They find that depletion of Stat5 leads to decreased stem cell proliferation, sensitizing mice to irradiation. In contrast, activation of STAT5 accelerates crypt regeneration, conferring resistance to gut injury. Therefore, activation of cytokine-induced STAT5 signaling promotes the regenerative capacity of intestinal stem cells to repair gut injury.

An early insulin regimen ameliorates glucotoxicity but also lipotoxicity in type 2 diabetes; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the role of mitochondria in lipid regulation following early insulin administration in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle cells. Male C57BL/6 mice, fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks, were treated with insulin for 3 weeks, and L6 myotubes cultured with palmitate (PA) for 24 h were incubated with insulin for another 12 h. The results showed that insulin facilitated systemic glucose disposal and attenuated muscular triglyceride accumulation in vivo. Recovery of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, inhibition of sterol-regulated element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and increased carnitine palmitoyltransferase‑1B (CPT1B) expression were observed after insulin administration. Moreover, increased ATP concentration and cellular energy charge elicited by over-nutrition were suppressed by insulin. Despite maintaining respiratory complex activities, insulin restored muscular uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) protein expression in vitro and in vivo. By contrast, knockdown of UCP3 abrogated insulin-induced restoration of AMPK phosphorylation in vitro. Importantly, the PA-induced decrease in UCP3 was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132, and insulin reduced UCP3 ubiquitination, thereby prohibiting its degradation. Our findings, focusing on energy balance, provide a mechanistic understanding of the promising effect of early insulin initiation on lipotoxicity. Insulin, by recovering UCP3 activity, alleviated energy surfeit and potentiated AMPK-mediated lipid homeostasis in skeletal muscle cells following exposure to PA and in gastrocnemius of mice fed HFD.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Rationale: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is recognized as an emerging treatment through reconstruction of gut microbiota. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, which is accompanied by constipation. Here we first reported a patient with Parkinson's disease and constipation that were obviously relieved after FMT. Patient concerns: A 71-year-old male patient presented with 7 years of resting tremor, bradykinesia (first inflicted the upper limbs and subsequently spread to lower limbs), and intractable constipation (defecation needing more than 30 minutes). Diagnoses: Parkinson's disease for 7 years; constipation >3 years. Interventions: The patient had used madopar, pramipexole, and amantadine for anti-Parkinson and showed partially mitigation while laxative therapy for constipation failed. Finally FMT was performed. Outcomes: The patient successfully defecated within 5 minutes and maintained daily unobstructed defecation until the end of follow-up. The patient's tremor in legs almost disappeared at 1 week after FMT but recurred in the right lower extremity at 2 months after FMT. Lessons: Gut microbiota reconstruction may have therapeutic effects for Parkinson's disease patients, especially those who have gastrointestinal symptoms and limited treatment choices.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus is a common adverse symptom in patients with end-stage renal disease treated by dialysis. Herein, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of CKD-associated pruritus among adult dialysis patients was conducted. An electronic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Wanfang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted from inception to November 23, 2016, and all cross-sectional studies that reported the prevalence of CKD-associated pruritus in dialysis were collected. The pooled prevalence was estimated by random-effects model. Potential publication bias was evaluated by the funnel plot as well as Begg and Egger tests. After rigorous screening, a total of 42 studies conducted on 11,800 patients were included in this study. The overall prevalence of CKD-associated pruritus among adult dialysis patients was 55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49–61, I2 = 97.6%), the stratification of which was 55% (95% CI, 45–65, I2 = 94.7%) in men and 55% (95% CI, 46–65, I2 = 93.3%) in women. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, the prevalence of CKD-associated pruritus was 55% (95% CI, 49–62, I2 = 97.9%), while in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, it was 56% (95% CI, 44–68, I2 = 89.9%). The prevalence of CKD-associated pruritus for mean dialysis duration