简介：AbstractBackground:Compared to adult studies, studies which involve the treatment of pediatric congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) are limited and no universal treatment regimen is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)/human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) therapy for treating male adolescents with CHH.Methods:Male adolescent CHH patients were treated with hCG/hMG (n = 20) or a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pump (n = 21). The treatment was divided into a study phase (0-3 months) and a follow-up phase (3-12 months). The testicular volume (TV), penile length (PL), penis diameter (PD), and sex hormone levels were compared between the two groups. The TV and other indicators between the groups were analyzed using a t-test (equal variance) or a rank sum test (unequal variance).Results:Before treatment, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the biochemistry, hormones, and other demographic indicators. After 3 months of treatment, the TV of the hCG/hMG and GnRH groups increased to 5.1 ± 2.3 mL and 4.1 ± 1.8 mL, respectively; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05, t= 1.394). The PL reached 6.9 ± 1.8 cm and 5.1 ± 1 .6 cm (P < 0.05, t= 3.083), the PD reached 2.4 ± 0.5 cm and 2.0 ± 0.6 cm (P < 0.05, t= 2.224), respectively, in the two groups. At the end of 6 months of treatment, biomarkers were in normal range in the two groups. Compared with the GnRH group, the testosterone (T) level and growth of PL and PD were significantly greater in the hCG/hMG group (all P < 0.05). While the TV of both groups increased, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05, t = 0.314). After 9 to 12 months of treatment, the T level was higher in the hCG/hMG group. Other parameters did not exhibit a statistical difference.Conclusions:The hCG/hMG regimen is feasible and effective for treating male adolescents with CHH. The initial 3 months of treatment may be a window to optimally observe the strongest effects of therapy. Furthermore, results from the extended time-period showed positive outcomes at the 1-year mark; however, the long-term effectiveness, strengths, and weaknesses of the hCG/hMG regimen require further research.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02880280; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02880280.

简介：AbstractBackground:The association of lipids and cancer has varied greatly among different cancer types, lipid components and study populations. This study is aimed to investigate the association of serum lipids and the risk of malignant lesions in esophageal squamous epithelium.Methods:In the "Endoscopic Screening for Esophageal Cancer in China" (ESECC) trial, serum samples were collected and tested for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol at the time of subject enrollment. Cases were defined as malignant esophageal lesions identified by baseline endoscopic examination or by follow-up to May 31, 2018. Controls were randomly selected using incidence density sampling in the same cohort. Conditional logistic models were applied to identify the association of serum lipids and the risk of malignant esophageal lesions. Effect modification was evaluated by testing interaction terms of the factor under assessment and these serum lipid indicators.Results:No consistent association between serum lipid levels and esophageal malignant lesions were found in a pooled analysis of 211 cases and 2101 controls. For individuals with a family history of esophageal cancer (EC), high TC, and LDL-C were associated with a significantly increased risk of having malignant lesions (odds ratio [OR]Highvs.Low TC = 2.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-4.35; ORHighvs.Low LDL-C = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.01-3.65). However, a negative association was observed in participants without an EC family history (ORHighvs.Low TC = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48-0.98, Pinteraction = 0.002; ORHighvs.Low LDL-C = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.34-0.76, Pinteraction < 0.001).Conclusions:In this study, we found that the association of serum lipids and malignant esophageal lesions might be modified by EC family history. The stratified analysis would be crucial for population-based studies investigating the association of serum lipids and cancer. The mechanism by which a family history of EC modifies this association warrants further investigation.

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简介：AbstractPneumoconiosis refers to a spectrum of pulmonary diseases caused by inhalation of mineral dust, usually as the result of certain occupations. The main pathological features include chronic pulmonary inflammation and progressive pulmonary fibrosis, which can eventually lead to death caused by respiratory and/or heart failure. Pneumoconiosis is widespread globally, seriously threatening global public health. Its high incidence and mortality lie in improper occupational protection, and in the lack of early diagnostic methods and effective treatments. This article reviews the epidemiology, safeguard procedures, diagnosis, and treatment of pneumoconiosis, and summarizes recent research advances and future research prospects.

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简介：AbstractObjective:This study was performed to explore the conversion of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into sweat gland-like cells for the purpose of sweat gland regeneration.Methods:ADSCs and human sweat gland (hSG) cells were isolated, cultured, and identified. The ADSCs were then cultured in combination with epidermal growth factor and/or cocultured with hSG cells in a Transwell coculturing system to transform the ADSCs into hSG-like cells. Phenotypic changes of the ADSCs were examined by morphological observation and immunocytochemical analysis of specific markers.Results:The ADSCs showed sweat gland-like morphologic changes and expressed sweat gland markers (cytokeratins 7, 14, and 18).Conclusion:These findings revealed that ADSCs can differentiate into hSG-like cells after coculture in a Transwell system and that epidermal growth factor can enhance the efficiency of differentiation. ADSCs may serve as a potential source of cells for sweat gland regeneration.

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