Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial of a Nurse-Led Sexual Rehabilitation Intervention to Rebuild Sexuality and Intimacy After Treatment for Gynecological Cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a sexual rehabilitation program, SEXHAB, in improving sexual functioning, reducing sexual distress, and enhancing marital satisfaction for women after gynecological cancer treatment.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial that included 150 women newly diagnosed with gynecological cancer from three public hospitals in Hong Kong. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 78) to receive the SEXHAB or to an attention control group (n = 72) to receive attention.

The shelterin component TRF2 mediates columnar stacking of human telomeric chromatin.

Telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) is an essential component of the telomeres and also plays an important role in a number of other non-telomeric processes. Detailed knowledge of the binding and interaction of TRF2 with telomeric nucleosomes is limited. Here, we study the binding of TRF2 to in vitro-reconstituted kilobasepair-long human telomeric chromatin fibres using electron microscopy, single-molecule force spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation sedimentation velocity.

Dynamic elementomics of single-cell ICP-MS-derived signals in normal and calcium pump PMCA4-deficient mouse epididymal sperm during capacitation.

Currently, clinical analysis of male infertility mainly relies on parameters of semen and sperm cells. However, the high diagnostic failure rates indicate that the current assessment methods are not sufficient and a new approach to evaluating sperm function still needs to be developed. Here we explored the feasibility of single-cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sc-ICP-MS)-derived profiles to determine the elemental characteristics in viable capacitated sperm under normal and deficient conditions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Topical Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Injury.

Muscle injuries are common musculoskeletal problems, but the pharmaceutical agent for muscle repair and healing is insufficient. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) frequently uses topical treatments to treat muscle injuries, although scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is scarce. In this study, an in vitro assay was used to test the cytotoxicity of a topical TCM formula containing Carthami Flos, Dipsaci Radix, and Rhei Rhizoma (CDR).

The Application of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSCs) and a Twin-Herb Formula to the Rodent Wound Healing Model: Use Alone or Together?

Our previous study reported that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) accelerated the wound healing process through anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and pro-angiogenetic effects in a rodent skin excision model. NF3 is a twin-herb formula, which presents similar effects in promoting wound healing. Research focusing on the interaction of MSCs and Chinese medicine is limited.

Epididymal epithelial degeneration and lipid metabolism impairment account for male infertility in occludin knockout mice.

Occludin (OCLN) is a tight junction protein and Ocln deletion mutation causes male infertility in mice. However, the role of OCLN in male reproductive system remains unknown. In this study, we used an interdisciplinary approach to elucidate the underlying mechanism of male infertility in related to OCLN function, including knockout mice as well as a combined omics analysis and immunofluorescent labelling.

Comparative Effectiveness, Safety, and Real-World Outcomes of a Nurse-Led, Protocol-Driven Penicillin Allergy Evaluation From the Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI).

Background: There is a high prevalence of unconfirmed penicillin allergy, which is associated with a multitude of adverse clinical outcomes. With the overwhelming burden of currently incorrect labels and the lack of allergy specialist services, new delabeling strategies are urgently needed.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness, safety, and real-world outcomes of a nurse-led, protocol-driven evaluation of penicillin allergy, the Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI).

Corrigendum: Calcium homeostasis in the epididymal microenvironment: c.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.

Calcium Homeostasis in the Epididymal Microenvironment: C.

In the male reproductive tract, the epididymis is an essential organ for sperm maturation, in which sperm cells acquire mobility and the ability to fertilize oocytes while being stored in a protective microenvironment. Epididymal function involves a specialized luminal microenvironment established by the epithelial cells of epididymal mucosa. Low-calcium concentration is a unique feature of this epididymal luminal microenvironment, its relevance and regulation are, however, incompletely understood.

Global Inequality in Service Sector Development: Trend and Convergence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a huge impact on global service sector. In the pandemic background, to understand the disparity in service sector outputs at the global level is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of development policies in different countries. This study investigate the global service sector and it aims to investigate the transitional dynamics of the output from the service sector by adopting stochastic kernel analyses.

Global Industrial Development: Insights From the Distribution Dynamics Approach for the Post Covid Era.

The spread of COVID-19 has significantly dampened global economic activity and has also wreaked havoc on the industrial sector. Understanding the disparity and convergence of global industrial outputs is important in assessing the effectiveness of concurrent development policies. This study investigates the spatial distribution of global industrial output to unveil the disparity in industrial development and the feasibility of achieving convergence over time.

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSCs) and ADMSC-Derived Secretome Expedited Wound Healing in a Rodent Model - A Preliminary Study.

Introduction: The biological role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in wound healing has been demonstrated. However, there were limited studies on the healing effect of secretome which consists of many biological factors secreted by MSCs. In this study, we aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of secretome with MSCs on facilitating wound healing.

COVID-19 and Regional Income Inequality in China.

This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 and social distancing policies on regional income inequality. We base our study on a sample of 295 prefecture (and above) cities in 31 provinces in China. A distribution dynamics approach is employed to reveal the trend and movement of disposable income per capita in each city before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the period when the COVID-19 was under the control.

Green tea extract synergistically enhances the effectiveness of an antiresorptive drug on management of osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in a rat model.

Antiresorptive drugs are effective for reducing bone loss in postmenopausal women, but their long-term application may be associated with adverse effects. The present study aimed to investigate the potential synergistic effects of green tea extract (GTE) and alendronate or raloxifene on the management of osteoporosis. Ovariectomized rats were fed orally with GTE, alendronate and raloxifene at different concentrations and various combinations for 4 weeks.

A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol examining the clinical characteristics and epidemiological features of olfactory dysfunction (OD) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused recurring and major outbreaks in multiple human populations around the world. The plethora of clinical presentations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been described extensively, of which olfactory dysfunction (OD) was established as an important and common extrapulmonary manifestation of COVID-19 infection. The aim of this protocol is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on peer-reviewed articles which described clinical data of OD in COVID-19 patients.

Cabs1 Maintains Structural Integrity of Mouse Sperm Flagella during Epididymal Transit of Sperm.

The calcium-binding protein spermatid-associated 1 (Cabs1) is a novel spermatid-specific protein. However, its function remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcripted from the gene antisense, , was also exclusively expressed in spermatids.

Hippo kinases MST1 and MST2 control the differentiation of the epididymal initial segment via the MEK-ERK pathway.

Although the roles of the Hippo pathway in organogenesis and tumorigenesis have been well studied in multiple organs, its role in sperm maturation and male fertility has not been investigated. The initial segment (IS) of the epididymis plays a critical role in sperm maturation. IS differentiation is governed by ERK1/2, but the mechanisms of ERK1/2 activation in IS are not fully understood.

Chinese topical herbal medicine gives additive effect on pharmaceutical agent on fracture healing.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy on the combination of oral strontium ranelate (SrR) with a topical Chinese herbal paste on facilitation of fracture healing.

Methods: An open fracture was created at the mid-shaft of the right tibia of rat. A herbal paste called CDR containing Honghua (Flos Carthami), Chuanxuduan (Radix Dipsaci Asperoidis) and Dahuang (Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei Palmati) was prepared.

Topical application of Chinese herbal medicine DAEP relieves the osteoarthritic knee pain in rats.

Background: The potential adverse effects of conventional oral pharmacotherapy of osteoarthritis (OA) restrict their long-term use. Topical application of a Chinese herbal paste for relieving OA knee pain can be effective and safe. However, evidence-based scientific research is insufficient to support its application worldwide.

Vitamin K2-Dependent GGCX and MGP Are Required for Homeostatic Calcium Regulation of Sperm Maturation.

A low-calcium microenvironment is essential for spermatozoa to mature in the epididymis; however, it remains unclear how dysregulation of epididymal luminal calcium is associated with male infertility. Using a warfarin-induced vitamin K2 deficiency rat model, we found that vitamin-K-dependent γ-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) and matrix Gla protein (MGP) were essential in extracellular calcium signaling of the intercellular communication required for epididymal sperm maturation. We found that GGCX and MGP co-localized in the vesicular structures of epididymal cells and spermatozoa.

Correction: CCNYL1, but Not CCNY, Cooperates with CDK16 to Regulate Spermatogenesis in Mouse.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.

Integrative Approach to Facilitate Fracture Healing: Topical Chinese Herbal Paste with Oral Strontium Ranelate.

Strontium ranelate (SrR) is one of the pharmaceutical agents reported to be effective on the promotion of fracture healing. This study aimed to evaluate the integrative effect of the oral SrR with a topical Chinese herbal paste, namely, CDR, on facilitation of bone healing. The efficacy was evaluated using rats with tibial fracture.

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings of Isolated Primary Epithelial Cells from the Epididymis.

The epididymis is an essential organ for sperm maturation and reproductive health. The epididymal epithelium consists of intricately connected cell types that are distinct not only in molecular and morphological features but also in physiological properties. These differences reflect their diverse functions, which together establish the necessary microenvironment for the post-testicular sperm development in the epididymal lumen.