Objective To investigate the role of miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes in development of isolated ventriculomegaly(VM)in fetuses.Methods Amniotic fluid samples were collected from 9 cases of moderate isolated VM and 8 normal control cases to extract exosomal miRNA,and miRNA sequencing technique was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups.Three miRNAs with significant differential expression between the two groups,whose high expression was associated with VM,were selected for verification with RT-qPCR.Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the regulatory effect of miR-122-5p on its predicted target genes AKT3 and CCDC88C.Gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway analyses were performed to explore the possible roles of the top 40 significant differential miRNAs in the pathophysiology of VM.Results We identified a total of 272 differentially expressed miRNAs in VM cases,including 43 up-regulated and 229 down-regulated miRNAs.The target genes of these differential miRNAs were associated with DNA and transcription factor binding,transmembrane transporter and nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity,and cell developmental process.These miRNAs were mostly enriched in the MAPK,cGMP-PKG and Wnt signaling pathways.Verification with RT-qPCR showed that miR-122-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group than in the control group(P<0.05),which was consistent with miRNA sequencing results;let-7b-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group,which was contrary to miRNA sequencing result.Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-122-5p was not capable of regulating AKT3 or CCDC88C expressions.Conclusions The highly abundant differentially expressed miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes play important roles in the occurrence of fetal VM possibly by regulating the MAPK,PI3K-Akt,Wnt and cGMP-PKG signaling pathways.

Background::Homoharringtonine (HHT) is an effective anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumor protein synthesis inhibitor that has been applied clinically. Here, we explored the therapeutic effects of HHT in a mouse heart transplant model.Methods::Healthy C57BL/6 mice were used to observe the toxicity of HHT in the liver, kidney, and hematology. A mouse heart transplantation model was constructed, and the potential mechanism of HHT prolonging allograft survival was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, immunostaining, and bulk RNA sequencing analysis. The HHT-T cell crosstalk was modeled ex vivo to further verify the molecular mechanism of HHT-induced regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation. Results::HHT inhibited the activation and proliferation of T cells and promoted their apoptosis ex vivo. Treatment of 0.5 mg/kg HHT for 10 days significantly prolonged the mean graft survival time of the allografts from 7 days to 48 days ( P <0.001) without non-immune toxicity. The allografts had long-term survival after continuous HHT treatment for 28 days. HHT significantly reduced lymphocyte infiltration in the graft, and interferon-γ-secreting CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in the spleen ( P <0.01). HHT significantly increased the number of peripheral Tregs (about 20%, P <0.001) and serum interleukin (IL)-10 levels. HHT downregulated the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway-related genes ( CD4, H2-Eb1, TRAT1, and CD74) and upregulated the expression of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF) -β pathway-related genes and Treg signature genes ( CTLA4, Foxp3, CD74, and ICOS). HHT increased CD4 + Foxp3 + cells and Foxp3 expression ex vivo, and it enhanced the inhibitory function of inducible Tregs. Conclusions::HHT promotes Treg cell differentiation and enhances Treg suppressive function by attenuating the TCR signaling pathway and upregulating the expression of Treg signature genes and IL-10 levels, thereby promoting mouse heart allograft acceptance. These findings may have therapeutic implications for organ transplant recipients, particularly those with viral infections and malignancies, which require a more suitable anti-rejection medication.

Objective To investigate the role of miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes in development of isolated ventriculomegaly(VM)in fetuses.Methods Amniotic fluid samples were collected from 9 cases of moderate isolated VM and 8 normal control cases to extract exosomal miRNA,and miRNA sequencing technique was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups.Three miRNAs with significant differential expression between the two groups,whose high expression was associated with VM,were selected for verification with RT-qPCR.Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the regulatory effect of miR-122-5p on its predicted target genes AKT3 and CCDC88C.Gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway analyses were performed to explore the possible roles of the top 40 significant differential miRNAs in the pathophysiology of VM.Results We identified a total of 272 differentially expressed miRNAs in VM cases,including 43 up-regulated and 229 down-regulated miRNAs.The target genes of these differential miRNAs were associated with DNA and transcription factor binding,transmembrane transporter and nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity,and cell developmental process.These miRNAs were mostly enriched in the MAPK,cGMP-PKG and Wnt signaling pathways.Verification with RT-qPCR showed that miR-122-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group than in the control group(P<0.05),which was consistent with miRNA sequencing results;let-7b-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group,which was contrary to miRNA sequencing result.Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-122-5p was not capable of regulating AKT3 or CCDC88C expressions.Conclusions The highly abundant differentially expressed miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes play important roles in the occurrence of fetal VM possibly by regulating the MAPK,PI3K-Akt,Wnt and cGMP-PKG signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic value of del(1p32)in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(MM).Methods:The clinical data of 341 newly diagnosed MM attended in Jiangsu Province Hospital were retrospective analyzed.Clinical characteristic combined with genetic features,especially del(1p32),were analyzed for survival and prognostic of patients.Results:Among the 341 patients with newly diagnosed MM,24(7.0％)patients were del(1p32)positive.The progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were significantly shorter in MM patients with del(1p3 2)than those without de1(1p32)(PFS:P＜0.001;OS:P＜0.001).The COX proportional-hazards model showed that del(1 p32)was an independent risk factor for PFS and OS of patients with MM.The patients with both 1q21 gain/amplification and del(1p32),as"double-hit chromosome 1",have worse prognosis than those with only 1q21 gain/amplification or only del(1 p32)(PFS:P＜0.001;OS:P＜0.001).Conclusion:Del(1p32)is an independent risk factor for PFS and OS of patients with MM.Del(1p32)detection should be widely used in the prognostic analysis for newly diagnosed MM patients.

Objective:To summarize the clinical, pathological and molecular characteristics of various types of pediatric glioma, and to explore the differences in the morphology and clinical significance among various types of pediatric glioma.Methods:Based on the fifth edition of the World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors, this study classified or reclassified 111 pediatric gliomas that were diagnosed at Guangzhou Medical University Affiliated Women and Children′s Medical Center from January 2020 to June 2023. The clinical manifestations, imaging findings, histopathology, and molecular characteristics of these tumors were analyzed. Relevant literature was also reviewed.Results:The 111 patients with pediatric glioma included 56 males and 55 females, with the age ranging from 10 days to 13 years (average age, 5.5 years). Clinically, manifestations presented from 5 days to 8 years before the diagnosis, including epilepsy in 16 cases, increased intracranial pressure in 48 cases and neurological impairment in 66 cases. MRI examinations revealed tumor locations as supratentorial in 43 cases, infratentorial in 65 cases, and spinal cord in 3 cases. There were 73 cases presented with a solid mass and 38 cases with cystic-solid lesions. The largest tumor diameter ranged from 1.4 to 10.6 cm. Among the 111 pediatric gliomas, there were 6 cases of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG), 63 cases of circumscribed astrocytoma glioma (CAG), and 42 cases of pediatric diffuse high-grade glioma (pDHGG). Patients with pDLGG and CAG were younger than those with pDHGG. The incidence of pDLGG and CAG was significantly lower in the midline of the infratentorial region compared to that of pDHGG. They were more likely to be completely resected surgically. The pDLGG and CAG group included 4 cases of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, showing histological features of high-grade gliomas. Among the high-grade gliomas, 13 cases were diffuse midline gliomas and also showed histological features of low-grade glioma. Immunohistochemical studies of H3K27M, H3K27ME3, p53, ATRX, BRAF V600E, and Ki-67 showed significant differences between the pDLGG and CAG group versus the pDHGG group ( P<0.01). Molecular testing revealed that common molecular variations in the pDLGG and CAG group were KIAA1549-BRAF fusion and BRAF V600E mutation, while the pDHGG group frequently exhibited mutations in HIST1H3B and H3F3A genes, 1q amplification, and TP53 gene mutations. With integrated molecular testing, 2 pathological diagnoses were revised, and the pathological subtypes of 35.3% (12/34) of the pediatric gliomas that could not be reliably classified by histology were successfully classified. Conclusions:There are significant differences in clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, molecular variations, and prognosis between the pDLGG, CAG and pDHGG groups. The integrated diagnosis combining histology and molecular features is of great importance for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of pediatric gliomas.

Statistical analysis was conducted on the quantity of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,the species types and medicinal parts of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,and the quantity and composition of Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations in Chinese Pharmacopoeia of the 2020 edition.The statistical results are available on the web site(http://itcm.hzau.edu.cn/yd/zgyd.htm)for reference.The analysis results showed that:(1)Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Part I)contained a total of 616 kinds of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine and 47 kinds of plant oils and extracts.The 616 kinds of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine originated from plants,animals,minerals,microorganisms,artificial or synthetic raw materials,human-sourced products,and products having the origin of both animal and plants.Of the 47 kinds of plant oils and extracts,46 were made from plant sources,and the remaining one,i.e.Cornu Bubali concentrated powder,was made from the animal sources.(2)A total of 421(73.60%)from the 616 kinds of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine originated from the single species,96(16.78%)originated from 2 kinds of species,40(6.99%)originated from 3 kinds of species,11(1.92%)originated from 4 kinds of species,2(0.35%)originated from 5 kinds of species,and 2(0.35%)originated from 6 kinds of species.Of the 47 kinds of plant oils and extracts,34 originated from the single species,5 originated from 2 kinds of species and 5 originated from 3 kinds of species.(3)The Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Part I)contained a total of 1 605 Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations.Except that the composition of Yunnan Baiyao Powder and Yunnan Baiyao Capsules was not issued,the remaining 1 603 types of Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations involved a total of 14 329 kinds of medicinal materials.The Chinese medicines with the leading 20 frequency used in the Chinese patent medicines and single-herb preparations recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia of 2020 edition were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Poria,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Scutellariae Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Astragali Radix,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Rehmanniae Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Borneolum Syntheticum,Platycodonis Radix,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Rehmanniae Radix Preparata,Aucklandiae Radix,Carthami Flos,Ophiopogonis Radix,Codonopsis Radix and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix.The results suggest that there were still problems existing in Chinese Pharmacopoeia of the 2020 edition,i.e.,some of the drugs of Chinese patent medicines were not listed in the Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,and some of the prepared drugs of Chinese patent medicines were not listed in the Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine,either.The systemic analysis of the general information of Chinese medicinal materials as well as their correlation with Chinese patent medicines in Chinese Pharmacopoeia will provide a reference for further research on the production of Chinese medicine material and sliced herbal medicine and the complete list of drugs in Chinese patent medicines.

BACKGROUND:With a gradually aging population,improving the ability to screen for the risk of death after arthroplasty and implementing timely personalized intervention programs for the increasing number of elderly patients with femoral neck fractures is key to improving the postoperative status of patients and prolonging survival expectations. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the risk factors for postoperative mortality in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures and to construct a nomogram predictive model to predict their mortality risk. METHODS:The study was conducted on 155 elderly patients(≥65 years old)who underwent arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture from January 2016 to January 2021,and 147 patients who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed to collect clinical data that may affect the patients'postoperative mortality.Single-factor and multi-factor Cox regression analyses were successively used to screen independent risk factors associated with postoperative mortality.The column line graph model was constructed and validated using Rstudio software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Age,frailty(age-adjusted Charlson comorbidities score),preoperative activity status,osteoporosis,and postoperative serum albumin level were five independent risk factors for postoperative mortality in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures(P<0.05).(2)The nomogram predictive model was constructed based on the results of multifactorial analysis,with a consistency index of 0.819(95%CI:0.771-0.868).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under curve for 1-year and 3-year survival prediction was 0.8543 and 0.7263,respectively,indicating that the nomogram predictive model has good discriminatory and predictive power;calibration curve and decision curve analysis also showed good model discriminative power and clinical utility value.(3)The constructed nomogram predictive model has good diagnostic efficacy and accuracy,and can effectively assess the risk of postoperative death of patients.

BACKGROUND:Arthroplasty is the primary treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly,and the choice of total hip arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty is currently the subject of considerable debate. OBJECTIVE:To compare the mid-and long-term survival status of total hip arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty under a direct anterior approach for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly based on the propensity score matching method. METHODS:One hundred and forty-seven elderly patients(≥65 years of age)with displaced femoral neck fractures were admitted from January 2016 to January 2021,of whom 88 had total hip arthroplasty(total hip arthroplasty group)and 59 had artificial femoral head replacement(hemiarthroplasty group).For the patients'preoperative comorbidities,the age-corrected Charlson Comorbidity Scale was used to quantify the scores and calculate patient frailty.The propensity score matching method was used to match the two groups 1:1 and to compare the operation time,bleeding,postoperative hospitalization time,hospitalization cost,nutritional index,postoperative complications,and mortality between the two groups after matching.Postoperative survival time was determined by Kaplan-Meier Survival analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After propensity score matching,a total of 42 matched pairs were successful in both groups,and the preoperative data of patients in both groups were balanced and comparable after matching(P>0.05).(2)Compared with the hemiarthroplasty group,operation time(79.71 minutes vs.59.07 minutes,P<0.001),bleeding volume(839.64 mL vs.597.83 mL,P=0.001),and hospitalization cost(56 508.15 yuan vs.41 702.85 yuan,P<0.001)were significantly higher in the total hip arthroplasty group.However,the mortality rate was lower in the total hip arthroplasty group than in the hemiarthroplasty group(36%vs.57%,HR=0.44,95%CI:0.23-0.87,P=0.018),and the mean survival time was longer in the total hip arthroplasty group than in the hemiarthroplasty group(59.4 months vs.43.7 months,P=0.024).(3)There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative hospitalization time,preoperative and postoperative nutritional indicators,and overall postoperative complication rate between the two groups(P>0.05).However,in terms of postoperative pain,the incidence of pain was significantly higher in the hemiarthroplasty group than that in the total hip arthroplasty group(24%vs.7%,P=0.035).(4)Overall,total hip arthroplasty has a better prognosis for survival,while hemiarthroplasty is more appropriate for patients with poor physical fitness.At the same time,postoperative pain may largely affect the quality and survival time of patients after hip arthroplasty.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.