Objective:To explore the genetic etiology of a fetus with cryptophthalmos detected by prenatal ultrasonography.Methods:A fetus undergoing induced labor at 32nd gestational week due to absence of bilateral eye fissures detected by prenatal ultrasonography in January 2017 was selected as the study subject. Umbilical cord blood sample from the fetus and peripheral blood samples from its parents were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Pathogenic variants were screened through whole exome sequencing (WES) and verified by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of candidate variants was verified by bioinformatic analysis and protein structure simulation. Based on the results of genetic testing, prenatal diagnosis was provided to the couple upon their subsequent pregnancy.Results:The couple had four adverse pregnancies previously. The aborted fetus was the fifth, with fused bilateral upper and lower eyelids, poorly developed eyeballs, adhesion of the cornea with the upper eyelid, low-set ears, and abnormal plantar creases, and was diagnosed with cryptophthalmos. WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the fetus has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the FREM2 gene, namely c. 4537G>A (p.D1513N) and c.7292C>T (p.T2431M). Both variants were unreported associated with cryptophthalmos previously. Protein structure simulation showed that they may lead to loss of hydrogen bonds in the protein product. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), both variants were predicted to be likely pathogenic (PM1_Supporting+ PM2_Supporting+ PM5+ PP3+ PP4; PM2_Supporting+ PM3+ PP3+ PP4). The mother was performed prenatal diagnosis in her sixth pregnancy based on the variants detected in this family, and delivered a daughter with normal phenotype. Conclusion:The FREM2: c. 4537G>A and c. 7292C>T compound heterozygous variants probably underlay the pathogenesis of cryptophthalmos in this fetus. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the FREM2 gene.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) caused by SLC1A2 gene mutations. Methods:The clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination results, and genetic testing results of a patient with DEE caused by SLC1A2 gene mutations who was treated at Epilepsy Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University on February 6, 2021 were summarized. Cases of SLC1A2 gene mutations were searched using keywords " SLC1A2" and "developmental and epileptic encephalopathy" in CNKI, Wanfang, and PubMed databases, retrieving literature published from the establishment of these databases to September 2024. Bioinformatics analysis was performed; the clinical and genetic characteristics of DEE caused by SLC1A2 gene mutations were summarized. Results:The main manifestations of the patient were rhythmic shaking of the right upper limb or focal motor seizures of bilateral upper limbs, or focal spasm of right upper limb (elevation for once). Ictal electroencephalogram showed 2-3 Hz polymorphic slow waves in the left central area, parietal area and central midline area, affecting the opposite side, or spike rhythm with decreased frequency in the right frontal area, central area and midline area, or polymorphic slow waves in the left central area and central midline area. Whole-exome sequencing indicated a heterozygous de novo mutation in the SLC1A2 gene: c.254T>G/p.Leu85Arg. A total of 7 patients with DEE caused by SLC1A2 gene mutations were retrieved from 5 related literature. All 8 patients (including the patient in our hospital) presented with epileptic seizure, developmental delay, and abnormal EEG; all of them were sporadic cases with de novo heterozygous missense mutations of SLC1A2 gene. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the 4 amino acid residues Gly82, Leu85, Pro289, and Pro333 in the 8 patients were located in the intolerance region of SLC1A2 gene encoding glutamate transporter protein 2 (EAAT2). The 5 amino acid mutations (Leu85Arg, Leu85Pro, Gly82Arg, Pro333Ser, Pro289Arg) in the 8 patients all led to significant changes in number and binding of hydrogen bonds between amino acid residues in EAAT2; except for Gly82Arg mutation, the other 4 mutations could obviously reduce the structural stability of EAAT2. Conclusion:De novo heterozygous missense mutations in SLC1A2 gene can lead to DEE, characterized by developmental delay, EEG abnormalities, and epileptic seizure; these mutations are typically located in critical regions of EAAT2, potentially resulting in reduced protein structural stability.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenic variants and clinical classification of two fetuses with Short-rib thoracic dysplasia with or without polydactyly (SRTD). METHODS: With informed consent obtained, the phenotypic characteristics of the fetuses were comprehensively examined, and genomic DNA was extracted from fetal skin tissue and peripheral blood samples of the parents with conventional phenol-chloroform method. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on both fetuses, and the candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the candidate variants was analyzed using bioinformatic software VarCards, and the impact of the variants on the protein structure was predicted with Swiss-Pdb-viewer. RESULTS: Both fetuses were found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the DYNC2H1 gene, including c.515C>A (p.Pro172Gln) and c.5983G>A (p.Ala1995Thr) in fetus 1, and c.5920G>T (pGly1974) and c.9908T>C (p.He3303Thr) in fetus 2. The parents of both fetuses were heterozygous carriers. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants of the DYNC2H1 gene probably underlay the SRTD3 in the two fetuses.
Humans ; Fetus ; Chloroform ; Computational Biology ; Ethnicity ; Ribs

Objective:To develop a novel, flexible, dual-arm, master-slave digestive endoscopic minimally invasive surgical robot system named dual-arm robotic endoscopic assistant for minimally invasive surgery (DREAMS) and to evaluate its feasibility for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) by using ex vivo porcine stomachs.Methods:A novel endoscopic robot (DREAMS) system was developed which was composed of a flexible two-channel endoscope, two flexible robotic manipulators, a master controller, a robotic arm, and a control system. A total of 10 artificial round-like lesions with diameters ranging from 15 to 25 mm were created (5 in gastric antrum and 5 in gastric body) by using fresh peeled stomach of healthy pigs as the model. Submucosal dissection was performed with the assistance of the DREAMS system by two operators. The main outcome was submucosal dissection speed, and the secondary outcomes included muscular injury rate, perforation rate, and grasping efficiency of the robot.Results:All 10 lesions were successfully dissected en bloc by using the DREAMS system. The diameter of the artificial lesions was 22.34±2.39 mm, dissection time was 15.00±8.90 min, submucosal dissection speed was 141.79±79.12 mm 2/min, and the number of tractions required by each ESD was 4.2 times. Muscular injury occurred in 4/10 cases of ESD. No perforation occurred. Conclusion:The initial animal experiment shows the DREAMS system is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVE To explore the improvement effect and potential mechanism of Baicao fuyanqing suppository on bacterial vaginitis （BV） in rats. METHODS The female SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， metronidazole group （positive control， 0.03 g/kg）， Baicao fuyanqing suppository low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （0.18， 0.36， 0.72 g/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the rats in other groups were injected subcutaneously with 0.2 g of Estradiol benzoate injection+20 μL of Escherichia coli suspension （2×108～3×108 cfu/mL） through the vaginal opening to establish the BV rat model. Administration groups were given relevant medicine vaginally， while the normal group and the model group were given normal saline， once a day， for 6 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， the vaginal appearance score and vaginal pH were measured for each group of rats. The levels of cytokines [interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-2， IL-13， immunoglobulin A （IgA）] in vaginal lavage fluid were determined. The morphology of the uterus and accessories， and pathological changes in the vaginal tissue were observed. The expressions of Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）， TLR4 and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） in vaginal tissues were determined. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the uterus edema， the irregular shape of uterus and accessories， the vaginal mucosa hyperplasia， and the massive desquamation of epithelial cells were observed in the model group， complicating with massive infiltration of inflammatory cells； vaginal opening redness and swelling score and secretion score， vaginal pH， the levels of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and IL-2， the protein expressions of TLR2， TLR4 and NF- κB were all increased or up-regulated， while the levels of IgA and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-13 decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， varying cn degrees of improvement in uterine and accessories， and vaginal tissue lesions in rats were observed in administration groups， and most of the quantitative indicators mentioned above showed significant improvement （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Baicao fuyanqing suppository has a certain improvement effect on inflammatory symptoms in BV rats， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the TLR/NF-κB signaling pathway.

As lung cancer targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs are the current hot spot in the research and development area of new anti-tumor drugs, the amount of clinical trial in this area is increasing year by year. On the basis of combing the on-site inspections of drug registration clinical trials from 2019 to 2021, combined with the characteristics of lung cancer targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs, this paper discusses the focus of on-site inspection of clinical trials of such drugs, and puts forward suggestions for the compliant implementation of lung cancer clinical trials.
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Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use* ; Immunotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Molecular Targeted Therapy

OBJECTIVE To analyze quality maker （Q-marker） of Ka nggongyan soft capsule （KSC）. METHODS The fingerprints of 20 batches of KSC were established by ultra high performance liquid chromatography （UPLC）method. Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint （2012 edition）were used to evaluate the similarity and confirm common peaks. The contents of norisoboldine ，leonurine hydrochloride ，forsythoside B ，acteoside，poliumoside and isoacteoside were determined by the same UPLC method. Targets and pathways related to KSC in the treatment of cervicitis were screened and analyzed by network pharmacology and molecular docking method to construct a “component-target-pathway”network，and analyze its potential Q-marker. RESULTS Twelve common peaks were identified in the fingerprints of 20 batches of KSC ，and the similarity was greater than 0.99. Six common peaks were identified ，including norisoboldine ，leonurine hydrochloride ，forsythoside B，acteoside，poliumoside and isoacteoside. The contents of the above 6 components were 1.336-1.774，0.093-0.143，4.970-5.888， 0.505-0.623，5.206-6.226 and 0.785-0.895 mg/g，respectively. By network pharmacology analysis ，14 key targets and 94 pathways were obtained ，and their binding energies to the core targets （protein kinase B 1，tumor necrosis factor ）were all less than －6.4 kJ/cal. CONCLUSIONS Six components such as norisoboldine and leonurine hydrochloride are potential Q-marker of KSC.

Objective:To establish a melanoma cell line derived from a Chinese female patient of Han nationality with metastatic melanoma, and to study its basic biological characteristics.Methods:Metastatic melanoma cells were isolated from axillary lymph nodes of a 17-year-old female patient with malignant melanoma, and subjected to culture in vitro to establish a cell line. Short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping was performed to compare the information about the cell line and its derived tissue, and to detect gene mutations; cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was conducted to assess the cellular proliferative activity, and soft agar cloning assay to assess the anchorage-independent proliferation; karyotype analysis was performed to determine the number and structure of chromosomes; with the highly aggressive melanoma cell line A2058 and keratinocyte line HaCaT serving as controls, Transwell assay was conducted to detect differences in cell migratory and invasive abilities, cell immunofluorescence assay and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the protein expression of melanoma-specific markers HMB45, S100 and Melan-A; the tumorigenicity was evaluated in vivo in a tumor-bearing mouse model. Results:A melanoma cell line was successfully established and named ZJMM-45, which was cultured for more than 70 passages over a 1-year period, and showed a stable shape and proliferative activity. The cells were spindle-shaped or polygonal, and could produce melanin. STR matching analysis showed that the ZJMM-45 sample was 96% matched with the cryopreserved lymph node tissue of the patient, suggesting that they were from the same source. A tumor-related gene BRAF V600E mutation (c.1799T>A) was identified in the ZJMM-45 cell line; karyotype analysis revealed that ZJMM-45 cells had triploid chromosomes and abnormal structures. ZJMM-45 cells grew exponentially in vitro and reached a plateau-phase in growth on day 5; the cells grew clonally and formed colonies in agar, showing anchorage-independent and malignant proliferative activity. Cell immunofluorescence assay and Western blot analysis showed that both ZJMM-45 and A2058 cells expressed HMB45, S100 and Melan-A; Transwell assay revealed that the numbers of invasive and migratory ZJMM-45 cells (300 ± 14, 260 ± 14, respectively) were significantly higher than those of invasive and migratory A2058 cells (150 ± 6, 160 ± 19, t = 13.25, 11.76, respectively, both P < 0.001) . The tumor-bearing mouse experiment showed that all 5 nude mice developed tumors with an inner diameter of 1.0 cm after 4 weeks, and the tumors were histopathologically characterized by proliferating hyperchromatic melanoma cell nuclei and formation of small nests, which were similar to primary solid tumors. Conclusion:The metastatic melanoma cell line ZJMM-45 derived from a Chinese patient with melanoma was successfully constructed, which carried the BRAF V600E mutation and expressed melanoma-specific markers, and was characterized by rapid proliferation, invasion and metastasis in both in vivo and in vitro culture, as well as obvious tumorigenicity in the in vivo experiment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of turning head to the opposite insertion side on catheter heterotopia and degree of comfort among PICC catheter patients.Methods:The inpatients with PICC catheter in Hepatological Surgery of Changzhi People′s Hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were collected as research object, patients from January to December 2018 was assignment to the control group, patients from January to December 2018 was assignment to the experimental group, with 174 cases in each group. They were catheterized with turning head to the opposite insertion side and turning head to the PICC insertion side, respectively. The incidence of catheter heterotopia, complications as well as degree of comfort during the placement of PICC were compared between the two groups.Results:The successful cases of one-time delivery tube and occurred catheter heterotopia were 97.1% (169/174) and 1.2% (2/174) in the experimental group, the index mentioned above were 91.4% (159/174) and 7.5% (13/174) in the control group, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( χ2=5.30, 8.43, both P<0.05). The results from survival curve analysis demonstrated that the occurred of catheter-related venous thrombosis and catheter-related bloodstream infections were significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group ( χ2=15.23, 8.76, both P<0.05). The score of comfort during the placement of PICC was (15.00 ± 2.19) in the experimental group, which was significantly lower than (16.86 ± 1.88) points in the control group ( t=8.49, P<0.05). Conclusions:Adopting turning head to the opposite insertion side method can improve the success rate of one-time delivery tube, reduce the incidence of catheter heterotopia and reduce the discomfort of patients during PICC catheterization.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining scalp acupuncture with hyperbaric oxygen on serum homocysteine and highly-sensitive c-reactive protein levels and functional recovery after cerebral infarction.Methods:A total of 101 survivors of cerebral infarction were divided randomly into a scalp acupuncture group ( n=33), a hyperbaric oxygen group ( n=34) and a combined treatment group ( n=34). All received routine treatment plus the appropriate supplementary treatment once a day for 10 days. The subjects were evaluated before the experiment as well as 10 and 90 days afterward. The National Institutes of Health′s stroke scale (NIHSS) was used to quantify neurological deficits and the Barthel Index quantified ability in the activities of daily living. Ninety days after the treatment, modified Rankin scale scores were also assigned. The levels of serum homocysteine (Hcy) and highly-sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) before and after 10 days of treatment were also compared among the 3 groups. Results:The average NIHSS and Barthel Index scores of all three groups had improved significantly after 10 days of treatment and the improvements persisted at the follow-up 3 months later. Both results were significantly better in the combined treatment group than in the scalp acupuncture group at the 90-day follow-up evaluation. The average Rankin score of the combined treatment group was lower at the last follow-up. Compared with before the intervention, the average Hcy of the scalp acupuncture group, the average hs-CRP of the hyperbaric oxygen group, as well as the average Hcy and hs-CRP of the combined treatment group were significantly lower after 10 days of treatment. Compared with the scalp acupuncture group, the average Hcy [(11.68±2.6) μmol/L] of the combined treatment group was significantly lower after the 10 days of treatment.Conclusions:Supplementing scalp acupuncture with hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves the long-term outcomes of cerebral infarction, reducing the level of serum Hcy.