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The vaginal microbiota, the host endocrine system, the vaginal anatomy, and the local mucosal immunity comprise the vaginal microbiota, which interacts with each other to maintain the balance of the vaginal microbiota, which maintains female reproductive health. Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause are four phases women go through during their reproductive and post-reproductive years. Vaginal microbiota composition and abundance are heavily influenced by estrogen and progesterone, which start at puberty and continue during the reproductive years in a dynamic balance with some fluctuations. Estrogen promotes proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells and increases glycogen storage, while progesterone lyses vaginal epithelial cells, facilitating the release of glycogen to maintain normal pH. This review summarizes the latest national and international evidence on the composition and distribution of vaginal microecology in women during different physiological and pathological periods and proposes a hormone-driven microbial diversity hypothesis to explain the temporal patterns of vaginal microbial diversity during the female reproductive cycle and menopause. A relatively balanced vaginal microecological system has a positive effect on the maintenance of female health. An imbalance in the ratio of flora can lead to susceptibility to infections or reproductive complications. The study of human microecology and its role in the development and progression of human disease is essential for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of related obstetric and gynecologic conditions.

Low birth weight (< 2500 g; LBW) and macrosomia (> 4000 g) are both adverse birth outcomes with high health risk in short- or long-term period. However, national prevalence estimates of LBW and macrosomia varied partially due to methodology limits in China. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of LBW and macrosomia after taking potential birth weight heaping into consideration in Chinese children under 6 years in 2013. The data were from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in mainland China in 2013, which consists of 32,276 eligible records. Birth weight data and socio-demographic information was collected using standard questionnaires. Birth weight distributions were examined and LBW and macrosomia estimates were adjusted for potential heaping. The overall prevalence of LBW of Chinese children younger than 6 years was 5.15% in 2013, with 4.57% in boys and 5.68% in girls. LBW rate was higher for children who were minority ethnicity, had less educated mothers, mothers aged over 35 years or under 20 years, or were in lower income household than their counterparts. The overall prevalence of macrosomia of Chinese children younger than 6 years was 7.35% in 2013, with 8.85% in boys and 5.71% in girls. The prevalence of macrosomia increased with increasing maternal age, educational level and household income level. Both LBW and macrosomia varied among different regions and socio-economic groups around China. It is found that estimates based on distribution adjustment might be more accurate and could be used as the foundation for policy-decision and health resource allocation. It would be needed to take potential misclassification of birth weight data arising from heaping into account in future studies.

Using emotion detection technologies from biophysical signals, this study explored how emotion evolves during learning process and how emotion feedback could be used to improve learning experiences. This article also described a cutting-edge pervasive e-Learning platform used in a Shanghai online college and proposed an affective e-Learning model, which combined learners' emotions with the Shanghai e-Learning platform. The study was guided by Russell's circumplex model of affect and Kort's learning spiral model. The results about emotion recognition from physiological signals achieved a best-case accuracy (86.3%) for four types of learning emotions. And results from emotion revolution study showed that engagement and confusion were the most important and frequently occurred emotions in learning, which is consistent with the findings from AutoTutor project. No evidence from this study validated Kort's learning spiral model. An experimental prototype of the affective e-Learning model was built to help improve students' learning experience by customizing learning material delivery based on students' emotional state. Experiments indicated the superiority of emotion aware over non-emotion-aware with a performance increase of 91%.

Background Large-scale genotype–phenotype association studies of crop germplasm are important for identifying alleles associated with favorable traits. The limited number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in most wheat genome-wide association studies (GWASs) restricts their power to detect marker-trait associations. Additionally, only a few genes regulating grain number per spikelet have been reported due to sensitivity of this trait to variable environments. Results We perform a large-scale GWAS using approximately 40 million filtered SNPs for 27 spike morphology traits. We detect 132,086 significant marker-trait associations and the associated SNP markers are located within 590 associated peaks. We detect additional and stronger peaks by dividing spike morphology into sub-traits relative to GWAS results of spike morphology traits. We propose that the genetic dissection of spike morphology is a powerful strategy to detect signals for grain yield traits in wheat. The GWAS results reveal that TaSPL17 positively controls grain size and number by regulating spikelet and floret meristem development, which in turn leads to enhanced grain yield per plant. The haplotypes at TaSPL17 indicate geographical differentiation, domestication effects, and breeding selection. Conclusion Our study provides valuable resources for genetic improvement of spike morphology and a fast-forward genetic solution for candidate gene detection and cloning in wheat.

Background Constipation is a common gastrointestinal dysfunction which has a potential impact on people's immune state and their quality of life. Here we investigated the effects of constipation on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Constipation was induced by loperamide in female C57BL/6 mice. The alternations of gut microbiota, permeability of intestinal barrier and blood–brain barrier, and histopathology of colon were assessed after constipation induction. EAE was induced in the constipation mice. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed from constipation mice into microbiota-depleted mice. Clinical scores, histopathology of inflammation and demyelination, Treg/Th17 and Treg17/Teff17 imbalance both in the peripheral lymphatic organs and central nervous system, cytokines include TGF-β, GM-CSF, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23 in serum were assessed in different groups. Results Compared with the vehicle group, the constipation mice showed gut microbiota dysbiosis, colon inflammation and injury, and increased permeability of intestinal barrier and blood–brain barrier. We found that the clinical and pathological scores of the constipation EAE mice were severer than that of the EAE mice. Compared with the EAE mice, the constipation EAE mice showed reduced percentage of Treg and Treg17 cells, increased percentage of Th17 and Teff17 cells, and decreased ratio of Treg/Th17 and Treg17/Teff17 in the spleen, inguinal lymph nodes, brain, and spinal cord. Moreover, the serum levels of TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-21 were decreased while the GM-CSF, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 were increased in the constipation EAE mice. In addition, these pathological processes could be transferred via their gut microbiota. Conclusions Our results verified that constipation induced gut microbiota dysbiosis exacerbated EAE via aggravating Treg/Th17 and Treg17/Teff17 imbalance and cytokines disturbance in C57BL/6 mice.

Background Plant architecture associated with increased grain yield and adaptation to the local environments is selected during wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) breeding. The internode length of individual stems and tiller length of individual plants are important for the determination of plant architecture. However, few studies have explored the genetic basis of these traits. Results Here, we conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to dissect the genetic basis of geographical differentiation of these traits in 306 worldwide wheat accessions including both landraces and traditional varieties. We determine the changes of haplotypes for the associated genomic regions in frequency in 831 wheat accessions that are either introduced from other countries or developed in China from last two decades. We identify 83 loci that are associated with one trait, while the remaining 247 loci are pleiotropic. We also find 163 associated loci are under strong selective sweep. GWAS results demonstrate independent regulation of internode length of individual stems and consistent regulation of tiller length of individual plants. This makes it possible to obtain ideal haplotype combinations of the length of four internodes. We also find that the geographical distribution of the haplotypes explains the observed differences in internode length among the worldwide wheat accessions. Conclusion This study provides insights into the genetic basis of plant architecture. It will facilitate gene functional analysis and molecular design of plant architecture for breeding.

This study intends to evaluate the influence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) per woman and cycle in couples who achieved pregnancy through assisted reproductive technology (ART). PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Scopus, Web of Science, and Wangfang databases were comprehensively searched for articles reporting data on pregnancies achieved through ATR and providing information on the paternal HBV status and CPR and LBR. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analyses to pool odds ratios (OR) with corresponding confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses were done based on the matching status. The analysis included 10 studies (4,848 participants) for CPR per woman, 10 studies (28,951 participants) for CPR per cycle, four studies (2,327 participants) for LBR per woman, and seven studies (26,324 participants) for LBR per cycle. The analysis showed no considerable association between the HBV status and the CPR or LBR, with the pooled OR of 1.015 (95% CI [0.860-1.199], = 0.857) for CPR per woman and of 1.051 (95% CI [0.870-1.271], = 0.603) for CPR per cycle. Pooled OR for LBR per woman was 0.852 (95% CI [0.717-1.012], = 0.068), and for LBR per cycle was 0.999 (95% CI [0.851-1.172], = 0.987). Paternal HBV infection does not significantly affect clinical pregnancy or live birth rates in ART pregnancies. Our findings inform clinical practice and provide reassurance to couples undergoing ART that paternal HBV infection should not be a major concern in terms of pregnancy outcomes.

Radiotherapy efficacy is frequently limited by tumor radioresistance, with dysregulated apoptosis playing a pivotal role. While NF-κB is a well-established mediator of cancer radioresistance (primarily through anti-apoptotic mechanisms), the paradoxical pro-apoptotic function of radiation-induced NF-κB activation remains poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that certain conserved lncRNAs may function analogously to housekeeping genes during tumor progression; however, their involvement in radiation-triggered apoptotic pathways—particularly NF-κB-dependent pro-apoptotic signaling—during radiotherapy remains unexplored. This study aims to elucidate the functional role and molecular mechanisms through which a novel conserved lncRNA confers cancer radioresistance by regulating the NF-κB-mediated pro-apoptotic pathway. Herein, we identify lnc1267 as a highly conserved lncRNA (80.43% sequence homology between humans and mice) featuring characteristic 3’-poly(A) tail structure without 5’-triphosphate capping. Radiation exposure represses lnc1267 expression, which activates NF-κB pro-apoptotic signaling via RelA/p65 phosphorylation at Ser536. Functionally, lnc1267 confers radioresistance in cancer cells, while its downregulation sensitizes diverse cancer types to irradiation. Mechanistically, radiation-induced p53 activation transcriptionally suppresses lnc1267 through direct promoter binding, thereby releasing hnRNP U to interact with IKKβ and promote RelA/p65-Ser536 phosphorylation-ultimately triggering pro-apoptotic cascades and radiosensitization. Overall, this study demonstrates for the first time the critical role and mechanistic basis of a conserved lncRNA in regulating tumor radioresistance. These findings highlight the essential regulatory function of conserved lncRNAs in modulating radiation-triggered pro-apoptotic signaling and radiosensitivity in cancer cells, thereby expanding our understanding of lncRNAs in cancer radiobiology and providing a novel therapeutic target for radiotherapy-resistant cancers.

Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) is one of the most common types of nosocomial infections, and closely related to poor prognosis. The present study intends to explore the predictive value of preoperative frailty and nutritional status for HAP in elderly patients undergoing vascular surgeries. All elderly patients who underwent vascular surgeries from June 2022 to June 2025 were retrospectively selected. Patients were divided into HAP group or non-HAP group based on the presence of HAP during the hospital stay. The frailty was assessed by using the FRAIL scale, while The nutritional status was assessed by using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. A total of 675 elderly patients were included in the present study, of which 102 individuals were diagnosed as HAP. The proportions of smoking, general anesthesia and transfusion in HAP group were significantly higher compared with those in non-HAP group. Patients with HAP were more likely to have preoperative frailty. Significant difference in the preoperative nutritional status could also be observed between HAP group and non-HAP group. Logistic regression analysis revealed smoking, general anesthesia, frailty and moderate or severe malnutrition were independent risk factors for HAP. By using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the AUC of frailty and moderate or severe malnutrition was, respectively, 0.670 (0.606-0.734) and 0.675 (0.612-0.738). Once combined, the AUC increased up to 0.763 (0.702-0.824) with sensitivity of 0.647 and specificity of 0.838. HAP is a common complication among elderly patients undergoing vascular surgery. Preoperative frailty and malnutrition are independent risk factors for HAP, and have a concrete predictive efficacy. Our findings provide a basis for risk stratification and preventive measures of HAP.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy focused on strengthening the body on postoperative recurrence and metastasis prevention in patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed real-world data from patients with stage IIIA NSCLC who underwent radical surgery between January 2016 and January 2022 at Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Patients were classified into an exposed group, receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy combined with TCM therapy, and a non-exposed group, receiving only adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS), while secondary endpoints included 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year DFS rates (DFSR). Results A total of 700 patients were included, with 340 in the exposed group and 360 in the non-exposed group. After propensity score matching, the exposed group demonstrated a significantly longer median DFS compared to the non-exposed group (32.0 months [95% CI 24.0–38.0] vs. 17.0 months [95% CI 15.0–20.0], p  < 0.001) and higher 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year DFS rates (78% vs. 63%, 56% vs. 38%, and 44% vs. 24%, respectively; p  < 0.001). TCM therapy was associated with reduced recurrence and metastasis (HR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.48–0.70, p  < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed greater DFS benefits following TCM therapy in patients with N2 involvement and those over 65 years (both p  < 0.05). Conclusions TCM therapy focused on strengthening the body may prolong DFS and improve DFSR in postoperative stage IIIA NSCLC patients. However, further large-scale prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.