The roles of TPL in hematological malignancies.

Triptolide (TPL) is a diterpenoid isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii. It has powerful antitumor, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have shown that TPL can induce apoptosis of hematological tumor cells, inhibit their proliferation and survival, promote autophagy and ferroptosis, and enhance the efficacy of traditional chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Various molecules and signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, BCR-ABL, and Caspase, are involved in inducing apoptosis of leukemia cells. To solve the water solubility and toxic side effects of TPL, low-dose TPL (IC20) combined with chemotherapy drugs and various TPL derivatives have entered preclinical studies. This review discusses advances in molecular mechanism, the development and utilization of structural analogues of TPL in hematologic tumors in the past two decades, and clinical applications.

[Semen quality analysis of 2 640 infertile men in Suzhou area].

OBJECTIVE: To study the semen quality of male infertility patients in Suzhou area, China. METHODS: We detected the semen quality of 2 640 infertility patients in Suzhou area using computer-assisted semen analysis technology. RESULTS: Of the 2 640 semen samples, 27.35% were found normal in all seminal indexes, 47.35% (1 250/2 640) abnormal in the percentage of grade a + b sperm, and 42.39% (1 119/2 640) abnormal in sperm motility. The percentage of grade a + b sperm and sperm motility were decreased with the increase of age, more obviously in those over 40 years. The incidences of asthenospermia and oligospermia were 37.31% (985/2 640) and 8.94% (236/2 640), rising with the increase of age, especially in those older than 30 years. The 9 sperm motion parameters, including VSL, VCL, LIN, MAD, VAP, STR, WOB, ALH and BCF, were significantly reduced with the decrease of sperm motility and sperm concentration. CONCLUSION: The infertile men in Suzhou area are mainly characterized by a decrease in sperm motility, especially in the percentage of grade a + b sperm. The correlation of age with sperm motility and incidence of asthenospermia and oligospermia suggests that men also have an appropriate childbearing age.

[Related factors for hypokalemia during acute episode of bronchial asthma: clinical analysis in 56 children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and clinical features of hypokalemia in children with acute episode of bronchial asthma. METHODS: The clinical records of 56 children with acute episode of bronchial asthma were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Altogether 21 children with the complication of hypokalemia were identified from the 56 patients, with the incidence of the complication of 37.5%. Multiple factors were involved in the occurrence of hypokalemia during the acute episode of asthma and its treatment. Due to the unspecific manifestations, hypokalemia was easy to escape detection. CONCLUSION: Hypokalemia is highly likely in children with acute episodes of bronchial asthma, which poses potential danger for the patients. Potassium supplementation should be timely administered especially in children taking glucocorticosteroid and beta2 receptor agonist.