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Evidences on the association of air pollutants and semen quality were limited and mechanism-based biomarkers were sparse. We enrolled 423 men at a fertility clinic in Shijiazhuang, China to evaluate associations between air pollutants and semen quality parameters including the conventional ones, sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), sperm telomere length (STL) and seminal spermatogenic cells. PM 2.5 , PM 10 , CO, SO 2 , NO 2 and O 3 exposure during lag0-90, lag0-9, lag10-14 and lag70-90 days were evaluated with ordinary Kringing model. The exposure-response correlations were analyzed with multiple linear regression models. CO, PM 2.5 and PM 10 were adversely associated with conventional semen parameters including sperm count, motility and morphology. Besides, CO was positively associated with seminal primary spermatocyte (lag70-90, 0.49; 0.14, 0.85) and mtDNAcn (lag0-90, 0.37; 0.12, 0.62, lag10-14, 0.31; 0.12, 0.49), negatively associated with STL (lag0-9, -0.30; -0.57, -0.03). PM 2.5 was positively associated with mtDNAcn (0.50; 0.24, 0.75 and 0.38; 0.02, 0.75 for lag0-90 and lag70-90) while negatively associated with STL (lag70-90, -0.49; -0.96, -0.01). PM 10 and NO 2 were positively associated with mtDNAcn. Our findings indicate CO and PM might impair semen quality testicularly and post-testicularly while seminal spermatogenic cell, STL and mtDNAcn change indicate necessity for more attention on these mechanisms., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Recent studies have revealed that indoles, dietary ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), have immunomodulatory characteristics of balancing the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells in multiple autoimmune diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potency of the indole, 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), on the stability and suppressive function of Tregs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Furthermore, we used the AhR antagonist CH223191 to verify that DIM exerts its effects on Tregs through the activation of AhR. We found that DIM treatment significantly alleviated the severity of EAE by maintaining the stability and suppressive function of Tregs instead of facilitating the differentiation of Tregs. Thus, these DIM-treated Tregs might indirectly inhibit the generation of Th17 cells and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. And we confirmed the critical role of AhR in the EAE model. Our study further investigated the mechanisms by which dietary indoles promote Treg activity in the EAE model. DIM may act as a novel therapeutic to restrain autoimmune inflammation in multiple sclerosis., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is always confused with dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) in clinical practice; however, both of them are very rare cerebral vascular diseases. In this report, we provide one case of DAVF combined with CVST., Case Description: A 75-year-old woman complained of headache with nausea and vomiting for 4 days. Magnetic resonance venography revealed filling defect in the torcular, left transverse, and sigmoid sinus, which strongly suggested sinus thrombosis. The patient underwent anticoagulation treatment for 9 days. However, the manifestation was not alleviated, magnetic resonance imaging detected the lesion was enlarged, and the midline shifted to the left. Digital subtraction angiography examination detected that one fistula classified as Borden type IA was fed by the left superficial temporal artery and drained into the left transverse and sigmoid sinus. Endovascular embolization with ethylene vinyl alcohol was conducted., Conclusions: Follow-up at 6 months indicated that the patient recovered without any sequelae., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)