Association between mental health and male fertility: depression, rather than anxiety, is linked to decreased semen quality.

Background: Infertility is increasingly recognized as a global health issue affecting couples of reproductive age, with male factors contributing to approximately 50% of infertility cases. However, the association between depression and anxiety-two of the most prevalent mental health conditions-and impaired male fertility remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, male participants seeking fertility counseling at an IVF clinic were recruited.

Burden of infant mortality associated with flood in 37 African countries.

Floods are becoming more frequent and severe in the context of climate change, with major impacts on human health. However, their effect on infant mortality remains unknown, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a sibling-matched case-control study using individual-level data from Demographic and Health Surveys in Africa during 1990-2020.

Real-world clinical data-driven modelling on the initiation time of antiviral prophylaxis among pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Background & Aims: The risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) for pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) still exists, especially for those with high HBV DNA levels. The guidelines for initiating prophylaxis for pregnant women with CHB vary across countries. We aimed to explore the latest prophylaxis initiation time for these women.

Integrated Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Novel Molecular Signatures for Schizophrenia Characterization.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder presenting challenges for characterization. The current study aimed to identify and evaluate disease-responsive essential genes (DREGs) to enhance the molecular characterization of SCZ. RNA-sequencing data from PsychENCODE (536 SCZ patients, 832 controls) and peripheral blood transcriptome data from 144 recruited subjects (59 SCZ patients, 6 non-SCZ psychiatric patients, 79 controls) are analyzed.

HPV vaccination is highly effective and cost-effective for cervical cancer prevention in women living with HIV in China: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection increases the risk of acquiring human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and developing HPV-related adversities. We aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination for women living with HIV in a Chinese setting. A decision-analysis Markov model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of 36 HPV vaccination strategies for women living with HIV aged 18-45 years, from the healthcare system perspective.

Cognitive Benefits of Reducing Indoor Particulate Matter Exposure During Sleep: New Evidence from a Randomized, Double-blind Crossover Trial.

There is increasing evidence that particulate matter (PM) pollution may adversely impact cognition. Considering that sleep is critical for cognitive health and occupies about one-third of human life, understanding the cognitive effects of indoor PM exposure during sleep and the potential cognitive benefits of reducing such exposure is crucial, yet currently unknown. This randomized, double-blind crossover intervention trial was conducted among 80 college students with real and sham PM filtration in their dormitories.

Iparomlimab (QL1604) in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) unresectable or metastatic solid tumors: a pivotal, single-arm, multicenter, phase II trial.

Though several anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies approved for monotherapy in microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient unresectable/metastatic solid tumors, novel immunotherapy with better anti-tumor activity is needed in clinic. In this single-arm, multicenter, pivotal, phase II study, patients received iparomlimab (a novel humanized anti-PD-1 mAb, 200 mg or 3 mg/kg for patients with body weight < 40 kg, IV, Q3W) until disease progression, intolerable toxicities, withdrawal of consent, death, or up to 2 years. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by independent radiological review committee (IRRC).

The Causal Relationship Between Choline Metabolites and Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis: Identifying as Colocalized Gene.

Background: Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is a type of cholecystitis with high mortality rate while its pathogenesis remains complex. Choline is one of the essential nutrients and is related to several diseases. This study aimed to explore the causal relationship between choline metabolites and AAC and its potential mechanisms.

Investigating the follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV in North Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV can increase mortality and HIV spread within communities. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 on follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV in Ethiopia.

Methods: This longitudinal study used retrospective document review to compare follow-up status of people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic with their status from 2017 to 2019.

Associations of body mass index and oxygen saturation with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease grade in patients.

Introduction: we aimed to investigate the associations of body mass index (BMI) and oxygen saturation with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) grade in COPD patients. Materials and methods: the clinical data of 105 COPD patients admitted to and treated in our hospital during January 2021 and January 2022 were acquired for a retrospective analysis, and grade 1 group [n = 15, subjects presenting forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) ≥ 80 % of the predicted value], grade 2 group (n = 32, those with FEV1 ≥ 50 % and < 80 % of the predicted value), grade 3 group (n = 34, those with FEV1 ≥ 30 % and < 50 % of the predicted value), and grade 4 group (n = 24, those with FEV1 < 30 % of the predicted value or with FEV1 < 50 % of the predicted value and concomitant respiratory failure) were set up based on COPD grade. Results and conclusion: the BMI of the 105 patients was 20.

Identification of the enzyme activity of human Demodex aspartic protease and its function to hydrolyse host macromolecules and skin cell proteins.

Aspartic protease (ASP), a common proteolytic enzyme, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of numerous parasites. However, its role in Demodex remains unclear. Herein, we studied the expression, purification, enzymatic activity detection, and hydrolysis function of human Demodex ASP.

Kaempferol alleviates myocardial ischemia injury by reducing oxidative stress via the HDAC3-mediated Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Introduction: Kaempferol (KAE) is a flavonoid found in various plants. Recent studies showed that high dietary intake of KAE was associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction; however, the cardioprotective mechanism of KAE remains unknown.

Objectives: To determine the effect of KAE on cardiac injury in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced rats and cobalt chloride (CoCl)-treated cardiomyocytes, and the underlying mechanisms.

Joint association of serum sodium and frailty with mild cognitive impairment among hospitalized older adults with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study.

Background: To examine the associations of serum sodium and frailty with the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among hospitalized older adults with chronic diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 403 hospitalized older adults with chronic diseases. Serum sodium concentration was assessed by the ion-selective electrode method, frailty status was evaluated by the FRAIL scale, and MCI was determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Effect of supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids on macular pigment and visual function in young adults with long-term use of digital devices: study protocol for a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Background: Growing evidence emphasizes the importance of xanthophyll carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids in eye health. However, the beneficial effects of such supplementation have not been thoroughly discussed among adults with high screen exposure. Current trial evidence on lutein bioavailability is contradictory, and the interactions of dietary intervention with host-related factors remain elusive.

Dopamine D3 receptor mediates natural and methamphetamine rewards via regulating the expression of miR-29c in the nucleus accumbens of mice.

The dopamine D3 receptor (D3R), principally confined to the nucleus accumbens (NAc), is involved in regulating natural and drug rewards; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the associated process remain unclear. Earlier research has reported the concurrent influence of D3R and miR-29c expressed in the NAc on methamphetamine (METH)-induced reward behaviors and microglial activation, hinting at regulatory roles in reward processing. Herein, we performed viral manipulation-mediating D3R/miR-29c overexpression and inhibition in the whole NAc in male D3R knockout and wild-type mice to investigate this potential relationship.

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on HIV care cascade for people living with HIV in Ethiopia: a retrospective longitudinal study.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the cascade of HIV care for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ethiopia.

Design: A retrospective longitudinal study.

Setting: The study was conducted in North Showa Zone, Ethiopia, from pre-COVID-19 (January 2018-December 2019) and during COVID-19 (January 2020-December 2021).

Comparative effectiveness of treatments for recurrent infection: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of healthcare-associated infectious diarrhea. A major clinical challenge is recurrent CDI (rCDI) without effective standard drug-based therapy. Additionally, a comprehensive comparison of various therapy effectiveness in rCDI patients is still under investigation.