Objective To assess the clinical value of multimodal ultrasound score for assessment of endometrial receptivity among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and to provide guidance for improving pregnancy outcomes among PCOS patients. Methods A total of 48 PCOS patients admitted to Jiangning Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between January and December 2023 were enrolled as the case group, while 50 healthy women of childbearing age received ovulation monitoring at the same hospital during the same period served as the control group. Subjects received two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound during the implantation window (19 to 23 days of the menstrual cycle) for measurement of endometrial thickness, Gonen classification, and endometrial peristalsis. Two-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound was used for assessment of endometrial blood flow and three-dimensional ultrasound was used for assessment of endometrial volume and vascularization flow index (VFI). The endometrium multimodal ultrasound scores were estimated, and various parameters were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic performance of these parameters for PCOS was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results The age of subjects in the case group ranged from 20 to 38 years, with a mean age of (28.20 ± 2.82) years, and their body mass index (BMI) ranged from 21.23 to 29.11 kg/m², with a mean BMI of (26.25 ± 1.60) kg/m². The age of subjects in the control group ranged from 22 to 38 years, with a mean age of (28.10 ± 1.99) years, and their BMI ranged from 21.33 to 29.03 kg/m², with a mean BMI of (26.10 ± 1.78) kg/m². There were no significant differences between the case and control groups in terms of mean age, BMI, estradiol, and testosterone (t = 0.218, 0.422, 0.010, and 0.221; all P > 0.05). The endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, and VFI were significantly higher in the control group than in the case group (t = 4.838, 4.978, and 7.115; all P < 0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of endometrial classification, endometrial peristalsis pattern, and endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow (Z = −4.136, −4.048, and −3.884; all P < 0.05). The scores of endometrial classification, endometrial peristalsis, endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow, endometrial volume, VFI, and multimodal ultrasound were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group (t = 4.539, 4.449, 4.205, 3.209, 5.206, and 4.495; all P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in the endometrial thickness score between the two groups (t = -0.149, P = 0.882). The areas under the ROC curves for endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, VFI, and multimodal ultrasound scores in diagnosis of PCOS were 0.753, 0.747, 0.809, and 0.858, respectively. Conclusion Multimodal ultrasound score provides a comprehensive assessment of the endometrium, and is effective in the assessment of endometrial receptivity, which may provide a reference for guiding pregnancy planning in PCOS patients.

Protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a pivotal phenomenon intricately linked to cellular processes, is regulated by various other proteins. However, there is still a lack of high-throughput methods for screening protein regulators of LLPS in target proteins. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based screening method to identify protein phase separation regulators by integrating bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using this newly developed method, we screened the RNA-binding proteins that regulate PABPN1 phase separation and identified the tumor suppressor QKI as a promoter of PABPN1 phase separation. Furthermore, QKI exhibits decreased expression levels and diminished nuclear localization in colorectal cancer cells, resulting in reduced PABPN1 phase separation, which, in turn, promotes alternative polyadenylation (APA), cell proliferation, and migration in colorectal cancer.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Poly(A)-Binding Protein I/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Flow Cytometry ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement

Objective:To clarify the transitional components in the blood of compound Banlangen Granules; To explore the mechanism of drugs in the treatment of epidemic encephalitis B, hepatitis and parotitis.Methods:The transitional components in blood of compound Banlangen Granules were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The regulatory targets and pathways of compound Banlangen Granules in the treatment of epidemic encephalitis B, hepatitis and parotitis were analyzed based on UPLC-MS/MS and network pharmacology.Results:A total of 9 blood components were identified, of which 8 were prototype components, including sucrose, o-aminobenzoic acid, uridine, adenosine, guanosine, indole-3-acetonitrile-2 murine-S-β-D-glucopyranoside and salicylic acid. Through network pharmacological analysis, it was concluded that compound Banlangen Granules may treat epidemic encephalitis B, hepatitis and parotitis by regulating lipid and atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, IL-17 and other signal pathways.Conclusion:The 9 blood components of compound Banlangen Granules may treat epidemic encephalitis B, hepatitis and parotitis by regulating lipid and atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, IL-17 and other signal pathways.

Objective: To explore the effects of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) MIR22HG on proliferation，apoptosis and inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and its molecular mechanism． Methods: Synovial tissue samples were collected from 37 RA patients and 30 joint trauma patients in our hospital，and the expression levels of MIR22HG and miR-22-5p in synovial tissue were detected by qRT-PCR. RA-FLSs in human was isolated ，cultured and identified in vitro． MIR22HG siRNA interference plasmid (si-MIR22HG) and its negative control plasmid (si-NC) ，miR-22-5p inhibitor and its negative control (inhibitorNC) were transfected into RA-FLSs respectively or simultaneously．The expression levels of MIR22HG and miR- 22-5p were detected by qRT-PCR. CCK-8 was used to detect the proliferation activity of cells in various groups. Annexin Ⅴ- FITC / PI was used to detect the apoptosis rates of cells in various groups．ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α , IL-1 β and IL-6 in the supernatant of cells in various groups．Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Bcl-2，Bax and Cleaved caspase-3 of cells in various groups．The targeting relationship between MIR22HG and miR-22-5p was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Results : Compared with joint trauma patients，the expression level of MIR22HG in synovial tissues of RA patients increased (P＜0. 05) ， while the expression level of miR-22-5p decreased (P＜0. 05) ．Interference with MIR22HG inhibited the proliferation activity of RA-FLSs，decreased the levels of TNF-α , IL-1 β and IL-6 in cell supernatant and the protein expression level of Bcl-2 in cells (P＜0. 05) ，and increased the apoptosis rate，the expression level of miR-22-5p and the protein expression levels of Bax and Cleaved casepase-3 (P ＜0. 05 ) ．However，inhibition of miR-22-5p expression reversed the effects of MIR22HG gene silencing on proliferation，apoptosis and inflammation of RA-FLSs (P＜0. 05) ．Dual luciferase reporting assay showed that miR-22-5p was a potential downstream miRNA target of MIR22HG． Conclusion MIR22HG is highly expressed in synovial tissues of RA patients，and it may promote the proliferation and the inflammatory response of RA-FLSs and inhibit cell apoptosis by down regulating the expression of miR-22-5p.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical application potential of a novel prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted PET tracer 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 in patients diagnosed initially with prostate cancer. Methods:A total of 63 patients (age (68.7±8.7) years) with suspected prostate cancers who received 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 PET/CT imaging in Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University between March 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled prospectively. The diagnostic efficiency of 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 PET/CT imaging was evaluated in a patient-centered manner. The ROI was drawn to obtain SUV max by semi-quantitative analysis with visual analysis, and the diagnostic threshold of SUV max was obtained by ROC curve analysis. The correlations of SUV max in primary foci with total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) and Gleason score (GS) were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis. Based on the D′Amico risk stratification (prostate specific antigen (PSA)>20 μg/L and ≤20 μg/L, GS>7 and ≤7), the detection rates of metastases by 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 PET/CT imaging in different stratifications were analyzed by Fisher exact test, and the differences between SUV max of metastases in different stratifications were determined by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 PET/CT imaging was 92.06%(58/63), the sensitivity was 96.55%(28/29), the specificity was 88.24%(30/34), the positive predictive value was 87.50%(28/32), the negative predictive value was 96.77%(30/31), and the optimal SUV max threshold was 6.9. 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 showed varying degrees of high uptake in the primary foci of prostate cancer, and SUV max were positively correlated with tPSA and GS ( rs values: 0.657, 0.592, P values: <0.001, 0.001). Stratified analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of bone metastases by 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 PET/CT between the GS>7 and GS≤7 subgroups (9/17 vs 1/12; P=0.019), while no statistical significances were observed in the detection rates of bone metastases or lymph node metastases of another subgroups (all P>0.05). In addition, none of the differences in SUV max of metastases in patients with different stratifications were statistically significant ( z value: from -1.57 to -0.50, all P>0.05). Conclusions:68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 PET/CT imaging has good diagnostic efficacy for prostate cancer, and it may provide a new strategy for the precise diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Besides, GS stratification may affect the detection rate of bone metastases by 68Ga-PSMA-NYM032 PET/CT imaging.

Background Lead exposure induces microglial cell death, of which the mechanism is unclear. Ferroptosis is a new death form and its role in microglia death has not been reported. Objective To investigate the role of ferroptosis in microglia following lead exposure in order to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism of lead neurotoxicity. Methods Microglial cell line BV-2 cells were co-cultured with 0, 10, 20 and 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate for 24 h. The 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate group with iron chelator (DFO) was named the 40+DFO group. Changes in BV-2 cell morphology after lead exposure were observed under an inverted microscope; tissue iron kit and glutathione kit were used to detect intracellular iron and glutathione (GSH) respectively; flow cytometry was applied to detect lipid reactive oxygen species (lipid ROS) immunofluorescence intensity. Western blotting and qPCR were adopted to detect the expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), transferrin receptor 1 (TFR-1), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin 1 (FPN1) protein and mRNA. Results Compared with the control group, the number of BV-2 cells decreased with increasing doses of lead and the cells showed a large, round amoeboid shape. The intracellular levels of iron of BV-2 cells were (1.08±0.04), (1.29±0.03), and (1.72±0.10) mg·g⁻¹ (calculated by protein, thereafter) in the 10, 20, and 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate groups, respectively, significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the intracellular level of iron in the 40+DFO group, (1.34±0.10) mg·g⁻¹, was lower than that in the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate group, (1.72±0.03) mg·g⁻¹ (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the TFR-1 and DMT1 protein and mRNA expressions were increased in BV-2 cells in the 10, 20, 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate groups (P<0.05), especially in the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate group; the FPN1 protein expression did not change significantly, but the FPN1 mRNA expressions in BV-2 cells in the 10, 20, 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the intracellular GSH level decreased and the lipid ROS content increased in all three lead acetate groups; compared with the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate group, the GSH level increased by 12.30% and the lipid ROS content decreased by 13.00% in the 40+DFO group (P<0.05). The expressions of GPX4 protein were reduced to 50.00%, 35.00%, and 17.00% of that of the control group in the 10, 20, and 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate groups respectively, while the expressions of GPX4 mRNA were also significantly reduced; the expressions of SLC7A11 protein and mRNA in the 20 and 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate groups were lower than that in the control group, with the most significant decrease in the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ lead acetate group (P<0.05). Conclusion Lead exposure could induce ferroptosis in BV-2 cells, in which iron transport imbalance and oxidative damage might be involved.

Objective To investigate the correlations between the FBN1 gene mutation types and the clinical phenotype . Methods 87 probands with Marfan or Marfan-like syndromes and their family members were enrolled in this study ( total 300 cases).The clinical manifestations of each patients involving the ocular, cardiovascular system, skeletal system and other im-plicated systems were collected and evaluated .According to the clinical manifestations , these patients were divided into two groups, namely aortic dissection group and aortic root aneurysm group.Blood samples were taken from patients and DNA se-quencing was performed on each patient by the genetic aortic disease gene Panel .The detected single nucleotide variants ( SNVs)/indel were interpreted according to the ACMG guidelines, and the pathogenic variation was confirmed through Sanger sequencing.The aortic wall tissue was obtained from MFS patients who underwent surgery .The correlations between genotypes and clinical phenotypes were further explored by comparing the aortic wall tissue histological specimens of each genotype pa-tient.Results A total of 92 FBN1 mutations(31％) were detected in 300 people with Marfan syndromes or Marfan-like syn-dromes, 18 of which were undiscovered mutations.There were 49 missense mutations(53.26％), 13 splicing mutations (14.13％), 17 frameshift mutations(18.48％), and 13 nonsense mutations(14.13％).In this cohort, 24 cases had aortic dissection and 25 cases were aortic root aneurysm.Statistical analysis revealed that patients with aortic dissection mostly ap-peared in frameshift mutations(29.17％ vs.4.00％, P =0.017).However, patients with aortic root aneurysm mostly ap-peared in missense mutations(72.00％ vs.37.50％, P =0.015), and accompanied with ectopia lentis(41.67％ vs. 8.33％, P=0.008).Pathological specimens staining found that elastic fibers in the aortic wall of patients with frameshift mu-tations are sparser, and the smooth muscle cells are more deficient and more disorganized than patients with missense muta-tions.Conclusion FBN1 gene frameshift mutations result a lack of elastic fibers and disorganized smooth muscle cells in aor-tic wall and are presented more in patients with aortic dissection than aortic root aneurysm .

Objective: To explore the application values of prenatal ultrasound, vascular cast in the diagnosis of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies and to analyze the genetic characteristics by gene detection. Methods: Twenty-two cases of the vascular cast specimens of the fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies were analyzed and studied by comparing with their prenatal ultrasonography. Then the characteristics of each type of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies, the missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis were summarized and the results of their gene detection were also analyzed. Results: The 22 cases of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies were as follows: 2 cases of double aortic arch showed the ascending aorta was divided into two branches after converging as the descending aorta. Three cases were left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery. Twelve cases were right aortic arch: 8 cases were right aortic arch with mirror-image branching, 3 cases were right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery, 1 case was right aortic arch with isolated left subclavian artery. Of the 8 right aortic arch with mirror-image branching, 3 cases of left arterial duct showed the vertical walking between the fusion site of the left innominate artery and the pulmonary artery. Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery with arterial duct showed "U" shaped vascular ring. Five cases were other types, including 2 cases of the coarctation of aortic arch, 1 case of interrupted aortic arch, 1 case of pulmonary artery sling, and 1 case of abnormal origin of right pulmonary artery. The ultrasonic missed diagnosis were the 6 deformities: 3 cases of arterial duct and 3 cases of aberrant subclavian artery. The ultrasonic misdiagnosis were the 5 deformities: 2 cases of arterial duct location, 1 case of aberrant subclavian artery, 1 case of isolated left subclavian artery, and 1 case of the coarctation of aortic arch. Genetic test results: In the 18 cases of the genetic detection, 2 cases were positive, 1 case was 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome and 1 case was carrying KMT2D gene variant. Conclusions There are various kinds of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies, which are often associated with intracardiac malformations and venous branches variation. And prenatal ultrasound is of great value in diagnosing them.Vascular cast can visually display their characteristic changes, which is helpful to improve the differential diagnosis of the different aortic arch and its branches anomalies. The detailed genetic detection can improve the further understanding of its etiology.

Objective To discuss the predisposing causes and echocardiographic findings of abnormal cardiac calcifications in fetuses.Methods The echocardiographic and pathological data of 12 fetuses with abnormal cardiac calcifications were retrospectively reviewed,and the pregnancy outcome,predisposing cause and echocardiographic features were analyzed.Results Associated maternal positive anti-SSA/SSB antibody was found in 8 fetuses.The echocardiographic findings of these 8 fetuses were extensive hyper-echogenic thickened atrial wall,interatrial septal and atrioventricular roof.Cardiac myocardium dystrophic calcification was found in 3 fetuses with focal or extensive hyper-echogenic of myocardium.Idiopathic infantile calcification with thickening and hyper-echogenic wall of main pulmonary artery and aorta with obvious stenosis of artery were observed in 1 fetus.One fetus with dystrophic myocardium calcification was continued in pregnancy,1 maternal anti-SSA/SSB antibody (+) baby was born,and 10 fetuses were terminated.Conclusion Maternal anti SSA/ SSB antibody (-) is predominantly associated with fetal cardiac calcification.Fetal abnormal cardiac calcification with different predisposing causes have different echocardiographic features.

OBJECTIVE: To study the intervention effects of participatory training on the occupational health in polishing workers. METHODS: By the stratified random sampling method,930 front-line polishing workers were selected from 50 manufacturing enterprises in Guangzhou,467 workers in the intervention group and 463 workers in the control group. The intervention group adopted participatory training and the control group adopted the traditional training. We evaluated the changes of occupational health knowledge,attitude and practice( KAP) in workers of these two groups using the questionnaire table of occupational health KAP for polishing workers. Data of before intervention,immediately after intervention and 3 months after intervention were collected. RESULTS: The workers 'knowledge,attitude and practice scores at the time point of immediately after intervention were higher than those before intervention in the same group( P <0. 05). The workers' knowledge and practice scores of 3 months after intervention in intervention group were higher than those before intervention( P < 0. 05). The knowledge and practice scores of 3 months after intervention in the intervention group were higher than that in the control group( P < 0. 05). The evaluation scores on protection measure and warning signs of workers in the intervention group were lower than those in workers of control group 3 months after the intervention( P < 0. 05). Three months after the intervention,the workers in intervention group believed that the training was more effective than that in the control group in the following 6 aspects: improving the knowledge of occupational health,improving the ability of identifying risk factors, learning to use the personal protective equipment, helping other workmates,having confidence to make suggestions and introducing other workmates to participate in training( P < 0. 05).CONCLUSION: The participatory training is an effective intervention model in improving the workers ' awareness of occupational health KAP.