Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used for a variety of diseases, and their impact on semen quality is unclear. We performed a systematic search in PubMed and Embase, and ...after a strict screening, we included 4 studies with a total of 222 male participants. In result, SSRIs reduced normal sperm morphology (95% CI −16.29, −3.77,
p
= 0.002), sperm concentration (95%CI −43.88, −4.18,
p
= 0.02), sperm motility (95%CI −23.46, −0.47,
p
= 0.04) and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (95% CI 6.66,21.93,
p
= 0.0002), without a statistically significant effect on semen volume (95%CI −0.75,0.65,
p
= 0.89). Moreover, the impact on both sperm morphology and sperm concentration were observed within the 3-month period of SSRIs use. In general, our meta-analysis showed that SSRIs have a negative effect on semen quality. More larger, randomized, well-controlled clinical studies should be conducted to support our conclusion.
Nonionic polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels were synthesized using three methods: room temperature polymerization, cryo-polymerization, and modified cryo-polymerization. Anionic PAAm hydrogels were ...obtained after hydrolyzing the nonionic hydrogels under alkaline conditions. The composition of anionic hydrogels was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and element analysis. Morphological studies showed that the hydrogels exhibited various pore structures when they were synthesized using different methods. An additional mechanism for the formation of cryogels was proposed. Investigation of the swelling properties of the hydrogels and analysis of the swelling kinetics showed that the hydrolyzed PAAm hydrogels had rapid pH-sensitive rates.
To explore the risk factors and develop a nomogram to predict Double J stent encrustation incidence. The general demographic characteristics and underlying risk factors of 248 patients with upper ...urinary tract calculus who underwent endoscopic lithotripsy and Double J stenting at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University between January 1st, 2018 and January 1st, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them,173 patients were randomly selected to form the development cohort. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify the independent risk factors associated with Double J stent encrustation, and a nomogram was developed for predicting its occurrence. Additionally, 75 patients were randomly selected to form the validation cohort to validate the nomogram. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that several factors were significantly associated with Double J stent encrustation: indwelling time (odds ratio OR1.051; 95% confidence interval CI 1.030-1.073, P < .001), urine PH (OR 2.198; 95% CI 1.061-4.539, P = .033), fasting blood glucose (OR 1.590; 95% CI 1.300-1.943, P < .001), and total cholesterol (OR 2.676; 95% CI 1.551-4618, P < .001).Based on these findings, A nomogram was developed to predict the occurrence of Double J stent encrustation. The nomogram demonstrated good performance with an area under the curve of 0.870 and 0.862 in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. Furthermore, the calibration curve indicated a well-fitted model. We constructed and validated an accessible nomogram to assist urologists in evaluating the risk factors associated with Double J stent encrustation and predicting its likelihood.
A novel reactive diol, bis-biphenyloxy (4-hydroxy) phenyl phosphine oxide (BBPHPPO) which contains both biphenylyl and phenyl phosphonic groups was synthesized. Flame retardant advanced epoxy resin ...was obtained by chain extension of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) with the phosphorus-containing diol (BBPHPPO). The thermal properties and flame retardancy of cured epoxy resin were studied. The resulting BBPHPPO containing epoxy system exhibited higher glass transition temperature than that of advanced epoxy resins prepared from bisphenol-A (BA) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBA). The high char yield and the high LOI value were observed to prove the excellent flame retardancy of this phosphorus-containing epoxy resin.
The curing system of a liquid crystalline epoxy monomer, diglycidyl ether of 4,4′-bis(4-hydroxybenzoyloxy)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl (DGE-BHBTMBP), and curing agent diaminodiphenylsulfon (DDS) ...was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Physical properties of the cured polymer and its composites with carbon nanotubes were evaluated with dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA). Test of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that oxidated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (OX-MWNT) performed a better dispersion in the cured polymer than untreated MWNT did. The storage modulus of the cured polymer containing OX-MWNT increased, while that containing untreated MWNT decreased. The results also showed that the T
g
decreased when the MWNT was filled.
Periodontitis is the sixth most prevalent diseases around the globe, which is closely related to many systemic diseases and affects general health. As the leading cause of tooth loss, periodontitis ...is characterized by irreversible alveolar bone loss and activated osteoclastogenic process, which might be closely related to the activated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in osteoclasts. Here, we demonstrated triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2) as a key regulator of osteoclastogenesis with the regulation of intracellular ROS signals in periodontitis. In the present study, the expression of Trem2 was significantly upregulated in human alveolar bones diagnosed with chronic periodontitis, as assessed by RNA-seq. In the mice model of periodontitis, the alveolar bone resorption was impeded in the presence of the conditional knockout of Trem2 in osteoclasts. Furthermore, we identified Trem2/DAP12/Syk-dependent cascade as a vital intracellular signaling for the amplification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals in osteoclastogenesis, while the accumulation of soluble Aβ42 oligomers (Aβo) in periodontitis microenvironment further strengthened the signals and enhanced osteoclastogenesis through direct interactions with Trem2. Collectively, Trem2 mediated ROS signal amplification cascade was crucial in the process of osteoclastogenesis in periodontitis, suggesting the potential of Trem2 as a target for the prevention and treatment of bone destruction in periodontitis.
In order to improve the response speed and disturbance rejection ability of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) in an electromechanical actuator (EMA), a compound sliding mode control (CSMC) ...is proposed. The CSMC consists of a sliding mode controller with a new reaching law and disturbance observer based on a symmetric S-type function. The stability of the CSMC is analyzed using the Lyapunov stability analysis. The effectiveness of the CSMC is confirmed by the Simulink simulation, and experiments were conducted on a semi-physical platform. The results obtained by comparing the CSMC with the proportional integral (PI) control and traditional sliding mode control show that the CSMC has a faster response and stronger disturbance rejection ability and reduces chattering.
This study explored the role of transient receptor potential channel melastatin 2 (TRPM2)-mediated activation of NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in osteogenesis ...during healing of tooth extraction sockets. Tooth extraction socket tissue samples were collected from patients with or without periodontitis. In a TRPM2 knockout mouse model of socket healing, mice with or without periodontitis and their wild-type littermates were used for comparing the socket healing phenotypes. Micro–computed tomography imaging, three-dimensional reconstruction of the sockets, and hematoxylin and eosin staining for histopathologic analysis were performed. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis were used for evaluation of protein expression; the mRNA levels were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. Osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation potential of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) was evaluated. Calcium deposition was evaluated using Alizarin Red S staining. NLRP3 and CASP1 were up-regulated in tooth sockets of periodontitis patients. NLRP3 knockdown promoted the osteogenic differentiation of maxillary BMMSCs under inflammatory conditions. TRPM2 was up-regulated in the tooth extraction socket tissue of periodontitis. Inhibiting TRPM2 expression mitigated the NLRP3 inflammasome and its deleterious effect on osteogenesis. Activation of the TRPM2 ion channel regulated osteogenesis of BMMSCs under inflammatory conditions via Ca2+ influx, the mitochondrial dynamics, and pyroptosis. Targeting the TRPM2/Ca2+/NLRP3 axis could be beneficial in the healing process of the tooth extraction sockets of patients with periodontitis.
Recently, orbital Hall current has attracted attention as an alternative method to switch the magnetization of ferromagnets. Here we present our findings on electrical switching of the ...antiferromagnetic state in Mn3Sn/Cr, where despite the much smaller spin Hall angle of Cr, the switching current density is comparable to heavy metal-based heterostructures. However, the inverse process, i.e., spin-to-charge conversion in Cr-based heterostructures, is much less efficient than the Pt-based equivalents, as manifested in the 1 order of magnitude smaller terahertz emission intensity and spin current-induced magnetoresistance. These results in combination with the slow decay of terahertz emission against Cr thickness (diffusion length of ∼11 nm) suggest that the observed magnetic switching can be attributed to orbital current generation in Cr, followed by efficient conversion to spin current. Our work demonstrates the potential of light metals like Cr as efficient orbital/spin current sources for antiferromagnetic spintronics.