Molecular insights into the activation mechanism of GPR156 in maintaining auditory function.

The class C orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR156, which lacks the large extracellular region, plays a pivotal role in auditory function through G. Here, we firstly demonstrate that GPR156 with high constitutive activity is essential for maintaining auditory function, and further reveal the structural basis of the sustained role of GPR156. We present the cryo-EM structures of human apo GPR156 and the GPR156-G complex, unveiling a small extracellular region formed by extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) and the N-terminus.

The Effect of Ketoconazole and Quinestrol Combination on Reproductive Physiology in Male Mice.

This study investigates whether ketoconazole, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, can enhance the suppressive effects of quinestrol on reproductive capacity, potentially allowing for a reduced quinestrol dosage while maintaining its efficacy. A total of 104 healthy adult male mice were divided into two groups, assessed at 10 and 30 days. Within each group, six treatment categories were tested: the control (CK), quinestrol alone (Q1, Q5), and quinestrol combined with varying doses of ketoconazole (Q1 + K0.

The First Case of Felty's Syndrome Complicated by COVID-19 Infection.

Felty's syndrome (FS) is an uncommon disorder with a poor prognosis, and most patients die from infections caused by neutropenia. Currently, there is no standardized treatment strategy, and treatment options are based on case reports and clinical experience. To date, no cases of FS complicated by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been reported.

Responses in organs, sperm, steroid hormones and CYP450 enzyme in male mice treated by quinestrol only or in conjunction with clarithromycin.

Pest rodents persistently undermine crop yields and food security. Fertility control could be a viable alternative for managing rodent populations. This study investigates the antifertility effects of various concentrations of clarithromycin combined with 1.

How has the external quality assessment/proficiency testing of semen analysis been developed in the past 34 years: a review.

Male infertility has become an important issue of global concern. Semen analysis is the cornerstone of male fertility assessment. External quality assessment (EQA) of sperm concentration, motility, and morphology is widely recognized in the world.

DNA barcode reference library of the fish larvae and eggs of the South China Sea: taxonomic effectiveness and geographic structure.

Fish early-stages constitute useful indicators of the states of marine ecosystems, as well as important fishery resources. Given the spectacular phenotypic changes during ontogeny, and the paucity of diagnostic morphological characters at the species level, the identification of fish early-stages is a challenging task. DNA barcoding, the use of the mitochondrial gene of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) as an internal species tag, opened new perspectives for the identifications of both larval fish and fish eggs.

Meta-analysis and systematic review of factors predicting conversion to radical nephrectomy following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy in renal cancer patients.

Evaluating the risk factors for the conversion from robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) to radical nephrectomy (RN). Through a comprehensive database search encompassing PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, we identified pertinent English-language research published by June 2024. We utilized the NOS scale for quality assessment.

Comparative study of HIFU partial gland ablation and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer: an evidence-based approach.

Purpose: This research aims to use a data-driven analytical method to compare the effectiveness of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) partial gland ablation with Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) for treating localized prostate cancer, evaluating variations in treatment results.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature, covering key databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, with the latest information updated until August 2024. We utilized Stata 18 for data analysis, computing weighted mean differences (WMDs) for continuous data and odds ratios (ORs) for categorical data, with all results reported alongside 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

A mycoheterotrophic orchid uses very limited soil inorganic nitrogen in its natural habitat.

Mycoheterotrophic plants acquire nitrogen (N) directly from the soil and through their symbiotic fungi. The fungi-derived N has received considerable attention, but the contribution of soil-derived N has been largely overlooked. We investigated how the leafless, rootless, and almost mycoheterotrophic orchid Cymbidium macrorhizon obtains soil N by applying N-labeled ammonium nitrate in its natural habitat, and tracking metabolite accumulation and mycorrhizal fungal association after N application.

Perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes in obese patients undergoing Da Vinci robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The influence of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in obese (OB) and non-obese (NOB) prostate cancer patients remains a topic of debate. The objective of this study was to juxtapose the perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes of RARP in OB and NOB cohorts.

Materials And Methods: We systematically searched the databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database to identify relevant studies published in English up to September 2023.

HIV knowledge, sexual attitudes, and PrEP-Eligible behaviors among college students in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There is an increasing number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reported cases among students in Southwest China. However, the data on HIV/sex-related knowledge, attitude toward sex, sexual behaviors, and correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-eligible behaviors among college students in this area is still limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HIV/sex-related knowledge, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and factors associated with PrEP-eligible behaviors among college students.

Risk Factors for 30-Day Mortality of Community-Acquired Bloodstream Infection Patients in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China.

Purpose: To analyze the factors affecting patients' prognoses based on the community acquired-bloodstream infection patient data from 2017 to 2021.

Patients And Methods: The data of 940 patients were retrieved, having at least one positive bilateral blood culture within 48 hours of hospitalization, and grouped into survivor and non-survivor groups. The clinical characteristics, laboratory results, causative pathogen and other indicators were collected and compared, and risk factors were identified by applying Cox proportional hazard regression model to the data.

Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in erectile dysfunction (ED): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition in aging men. Meanwhile, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an emerging treatment alternative, has demonstrated potential in mitigating symptoms associated with ED. Our research aimed to explore the safety and effectiveness of employing PRP as a treatment strategy for ED.

The relationship between uric acid and bone mineral density in the intermediate stage of CKD 1-3.

Background: Some studies have suggested that uric acid has antioxidant properties that can prevent bone loss, but the relationship between uric acid and bone mineral density is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between UA and BMD in patients with CKD stage 1-3.

Methods: We extracted 13,047 participants from the NHANES database, including 7342 male subjects and 5705 female subjects.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery versus Conventional Care in Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in cholecystectomy, comparing it with standard care. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in December 2023, using globally recognized databases such as PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Various parameters were compared using Review Manager software.

Homozygous variant in DRC3 (LRRC48) gene causes asthenozoospermia and male infertility.

Human infertility affects 10-15% of couples. Asthenozoospermia accounts for 18% of men with infertility and is a common male infertility phenotype. The nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) is a large protein complex in the sperm flagellum that connects adjacent doublets of microtubules.

The association of depressive symptoms with adverse clinical outcomes in hypertension: Data from SPRINT randomized trail.

Objective: This study intends to explore the effect of depressive symptoms on adverse clinical outcomes in middle-aged and elderly hypertensive patients.

Methods: This post hoc analysis was conducted using data from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), and we used cox proportional risk regression to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and adverse clinical outcomes (primary outcome, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease(CVD) mortality, heart failure(HF), myocardial infarction(MI), non-myocardial infarction acute coronary syndrome(non-MI ACS)).

Results: In a follow-up study of 9259 participants, we found that depression symptoms was significantly and positively associated with the primary outcome (HR 1.

Dexmedetomidine attenuates acute stress-impaired learning and memory in mice by maintaining the homeostasis of intestinal flora.

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has been used in surgery to improve patients' postoperative cognitive function. However, the role of Dex in stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment is still unclear. In this study, we tested the role of Dex in anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment induced by acute restrictive stress and analyzed the alterations of the intestinal flora to explore the possible mechanism.

Effects of natural extract interventions in prostate cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Over years, there has been a widespread quest for effective dietary patterns and natural extracts to mitigate prostate cancer risk. However, despite numerous experimental studies conducted on various natural extracts, the evidence substantiating their efficacy remains largely insufficient. This dearth of compelling evidence presents a significant challenge in advocating for their widespread use as preventive measures against prostate cancer.

Suitability of reduced dose glucocorticoids therapy regimen for antibody-associated vasculitis patients with TB: a retrospective study.

Intention: Immunosuppressive therapy is the major treatment approach for patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Due to impaired cellular immunological function and the use of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, AAV patients are predisposed to opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis (TB). This retrospective study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with AAV and TB and explore suitable glucocorticoid regimens for them.

Effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus prevention strategies by mapping the geographic dispersion pattern of human immunodeficiency virus prevalence in Nanning, China.

Background: The Guangxi government initiated two rounds of the Guangxi AIDS Conquering Project (GACP) in 2010 (Phase I) and 2015 (Phase II) to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemics. However, the effectiveness of GACP in HIV prevention and treatment has rarely been reported. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the GACP implemented in Guangxi, China and provide data for strategy and praxis improvements to achieve Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95 targets.