ObjectiveThe accuracy of Y-chromosome haplogroup assignment is crucial for tracing paternal lineage in male samples. With the advancement of high-throughput sequencing technologies, high-density Y-SNP genotyping from whole-genome or array-based data has become a standard method for determiningY-chromosome haplogroups. This study systematically evaluated the performance of 4 commonly used high-density SNP genotyping systems—namely, the Global Screening Array (GSA), Chinese Genotyping Array (CGA), Affymetrix array, and the 1240K capture panel—for haplogroup assignment. This work provides a reference for data comparison across different systems. MethodsWe extracted genotype data for the 4 Y-SNP panels from 30× whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 1 590 male samples from the 1000 Genomes Project. Additionally, GSA array genotype data from 384 relative pairs (spanning 1st- to 12th-degree relationships) from 109 Chinese Han families were collected. Haplogroup assignment was performed using Y-LineageTracker v1.3.0 software. We assessed the concordance and resolution of haplogroup assignments between the four Y-SNP panels and the WGS data. The consistency and resolution of haplogroup assignments were also evaluated for both the 1000 Genomes Project samples and the 109 family samples collected in this study. Furthermore, the impact of varying numbers of Y-SNPs on haplogroup assignment was examined. ResultsThe GSA and CGA panels demonstrated superior resolution and discrimination of haplogroup subclades compared with the other two panels. The haplogroup assignments from the GSA, CGA, and 1240K panels showed high concordance with WGS data, with consistency rates exceeding 88.70%, whereas the Affymetrix platform exhibited a significantly lower consistency rate of 61.89%. Specifically, the GSA and CGA panels consistently demonstrated superior performance compared with the other two panels in the assignment of haplogroups O-M175 and H-L901, achieving complete concordance (100%) for both haplogroups. In contrast, the Affymetrix panel erroneously assigned all individuals belonging to haplogroup O-M175 to haplogroup K2-M526. Furthermore, its accuracy for haplogroup H-L901 was exceedingly low, at merely 1.41%. This poor performance was characterized by the misassignment of 98.59% of H-L901 samples—specifically, 1.41% to J-M304 and a predominant 97.18% to F-M89. For haplogroup R-M207, all four panels exhibited uniformly high levels of consistency, with concordance values exceeding 94.00%. Notably, for haplogroup E-M96, the 1240K and Affymetrix panels outperformed the GSA and CGA panels in terms of concordance, representing the first instance in which these two panels surpassed the latter. Conversely, for haplogroups J-M304, Q-M242, and I-M170, all 4 panels showed relatively elevated misclassification rates, with the Affymetrix array demonstrating the poorest overall performance. None of the four panels showed any discordant haplogroup assignments among the familial relative pairs analyzed. A positive correlation was observed between the number of Y-SNPs (ranging from 1 000 to 10 000) and classification consistency; however, classification consistency plateaued when the number of Y-SNPs exceeded 10 000. Furthermore, a random sampling analysis conducted on the GSA and CGA panels demonstrated that the haplogroup misclassification rate exhibited negligible fluctuation across the Y-SNP range of 500 to 1 000. Conversely, a marked enhancement in classification consistency was observed as the number of markers increased from 1 000 to 5 000, ultimately reaching a plateau within the interval of 5 000 to 8 000 markers. ConclusionThese findings indicate that the GSA and CGA panels provide high resolution and concordance, delivering reliable Y-haplogroup assignment for forensic investigations.

ObjectiveThe accuracy of Y-chromosome haplogroup assignment is crucial for tracing paternal lineage in male samples. With the advancement of high-throughput sequencing technologies, high-density Y-SNP genotyping from whole-genome or array-based data has become a standard method for determiningY-chromosome haplogroups. This study systematically evaluated the performance of 4 commonly used high-density SNP genotyping systems—namely, the Global Screening Array (GSA), Chinese Genotyping Array (CGA), Affymetrix array, and the 1240K capture panel—for haplogroup assignment. This work provides a reference for data comparison across different systems. MethodsWe extracted genotype data for the 4 Y-SNP panels from 30× whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 1 590 male samples from the 1000 Genomes Project. Additionally, GSA array genotype data from 384 relative pairs (spanning 1st- to 12th-degree relationships) from 109 Chinese Han families were collected. Haplogroup assignment was performed using Y-LineageTracker v1.3.0 software. We assessed the concordance and resolution of haplogroup assignments between the four Y-SNP panels and the WGS data. The consistency and resolution of haplogroup assignments were also evaluated for both the 1000 Genomes Project samples and the 109 family samples collected in this study. Furthermore, the impact of varying numbers of Y-SNPs on haplogroup assignment was examined. ResultsThe GSA and CGA panels demonstrated superior resolution and discrimination of haplogroup subclades compared with the other two panels. The haplogroup assignments from the GSA, CGA, and 1240K panels showed high concordance with WGS data, with consistency rates exceeding 88.70%, whereas the Affymetrix platform exhibited a significantly lower consistency rate of 61.89%. Specifically, the GSA and CGA panels consistently demonstrated superior performance compared with the other two panels in the assignment of haplogroups O-M175 and H-L901, achieving complete concordance (100%) for both haplogroups. In contrast, the Affymetrix panel erroneously assigned all individuals belonging to haplogroup O-M175 to haplogroup K2-M526. Furthermore, its accuracy for haplogroup H-L901 was exceedingly low, at merely 1.41%. This poor performance was characterized by the misassignment of 98.59% of H-L901 samples—specifically, 1.41% to J-M304 and a predominant 97.18% to F-M89. For haplogroup R-M207, all four panels exhibited uniformly high levels of consistency, with concordance values exceeding 94.00%. Notably, for haplogroup E-M96, the 1240K and Affymetrix panels outperformed the GSA and CGA panels in terms of concordance, representing the first instance in which these two panels surpassed the latter. Conversely, for haplogroups J-M304, Q-M242, and I-M170, all 4 panels showed relatively elevated misclassification rates, with the Affymetrix array demonstrating the poorest overall performance. None of the four panels showed any discordant haplogroup assignments among the familial relative pairs analyzed. A positive correlation was observed between the number of Y-SNPs (ranging from 1 000 to 10 000) and classification consistency; however, classification consistency plateaued when the number of Y-SNPs exceeded 10 000. Furthermore, a random sampling analysis conducted on the GSA and CGA panels demonstrated that the haplogroup misclassification rate exhibited negligible fluctuation across the Y-SNP range of 500 to 1 000. Conversely, a marked enhancement in classification consistency was observed as the number of markers increased from 1 000 to 5 000, ultimately reaching a plateau within the interval of 5 000 to 8 000 markers. ConclusionThese findings indicate that the GSA and CGA panels provide high resolution and concordance, delivering reliable Y-haplogroup assignment for forensic investigations.

AIM To investigate the effects of Qifu Yixin Granules on cardiac inflammation in a rat model of heart failure.METHODS The rats were induced into chronic heart failure(CHF)models by 6-week intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin followed by the random assignment of the successful rat models into the model group,the captopril group(22.5 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Qifu Yixin Granules groups(2.84,5.67,11.34 g/kg),in contrast to the normal rats of the blank group.The rats had their body weight monitored;their cardiac function assessed by echocardiography;their serum levels of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 and CRP measured by ELISA;their cardiac morphological alterations observed by HE and Masson staining;their cardiac protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot;and their cardiac mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB measured by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared to the blank group,the model group exhibited significantly reduced body weight,LVEF and LVFS(P＜0.01),alongside significantly elevated LVEDD,LVESD,and serum concentrations of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 and CRP(P＜0.01).Additionally,the model group displayed greater myocardial inflammatory cell aggregation,increased collagen deposition(P＜0.01);and upregulated myocardial protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with captopril or medium/high dose Qifu Yixin Granules demonstrated significantly increased body weight,LVEF and LVFS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);significantly reduced LVEDD,LVESD,and serum levels of the aforementioned indicators(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);mitigated inflammation and collagen deposition(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and downregulated myocardial protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Qifu Yixin Granules attenuate cardiac inflammation and improve cardiac function in doxorubicin-induced CHF rats;this therapeutic effect is mediated by inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To study the effects of fluoride and aluminum exposure alone and in combination on pyroptosis and the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway in NG108-15 cells.Methods:Using a factorial design method, NG108-15 cells cultured in vitro were divided into control group [0 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) + 0 mg/L aluminium trichloride (AlCl 3)], fluoride group (40 mg/L NaF + 0 mg/L AlCl 3), aluminum group (0 mg/L NaF + 160 mg/L AlCl 3), and fluoride + aluminum group (40 mg/L NaF + 160 mg/L AlCl 3) according to the concentrations of NaF and AlCl 3. After 24 hours of cultivation, the cells were collected for subsequent experiments. The fluorescence intensity of pyroptosis index GSDMD in each group was detected by immunofluorescence method. The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, and GSDMD in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, gasdermin D N-terminus (GSDMD-N) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in each group were detected by Western blotting. Results:The immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group (1.00 ± 0.02), the fluorescence intensity of GSDMD in the fluoride, aluminum, and fluoride + aluminum groups (1.49 ± 0.02, 1.22 ± 0.04, 1.25 ± 0.03) were higher ( P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that compared with the control group (1.00 ± 0.02, 1.00 ± 0.01, 1.00 ± 0.08, 1.00 ± 0.06), the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 (1.21 ± 0.06, 1.60 ± 0.07, 1.42 ± 0.02), ASC (2.61 ± 0.07, 1.53 ± 0.01, 2.12 ± 0.03), Caspase-1 (1.32 ± 0.05, 1.53 ± 0.04, 2.07 ± 0.05), and GSDMD (1.60 ± 0.03, 1.65 ± 0.04, 2.23 ± 0.05) were higher in the fluoride, aluminum, and fluoride + aluminum groups ( P < 0.05). Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group (1.00 ± 0.04, 1.00 ± 0.08, 1.00 ± 0.05, 1.00 ± 0.02, 1.00 ± 0.03, 1.00 ± 0.06), the protein expression levels of NLRP3 (1.55 ± 0.06, 1.40 ± 0.07, 1.24 ± 0.05), ASC (1.66 ± 0.05, 1.48 ± 0.06, 1.32 ± 0.06), Caspase-1 (1.51 ± 0.02, 1.40 ± 0.01, 1.28 ± 0.03), GSDMD (1.24 ± 0.03, 1.31 ± 0.06, 1.18 ± 0.03), GSDMD-N (1.18 ± 0.04, 1.27 ± 0.03, 1.27 ± 0.03), and IL-1β (1.81 ± 0.03, 1.70 ± 0.08, 1.52 ± 0.05) were higher in the fluoride, aluminum, and fluoride + aluminum groups ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:Exposure to fluoride and aluminum alone and in combination can induce pyroptosis in NG108-15 cells, and the mechanism may be related to up-regulation of molecules related to the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the key features of facial and tongue images associated with anemia in female populations, establish anemia risk-screening models, and evaluate their performance. METHODS: A total of 533 female participants (anemic and healthy) were recruited from Shuguang Hospital. Facial and tongue images were collected using the TFDA-1 tongue and face diagnosis instrument. Color and texture features from various parts of facial and tongue images were extracted using Face Diagnosis Analysis System (FDAS) and Tongue Diagnosis Analysis System version 2.0 (TDAS v2.0). Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used for feature selection. Ten machine learning models and one deep learning model (ResNet50V2 + Conv1D) were developed and evaluated. RESULTS: Anemic women showed lower a-values, higher L- and b-values across all age groups. Texture features analysis showed that women aged 30-39 with anemia had higher angular second moment (ASM)and lower entropy (ENT) values in facial images, while those aged 40-49 had lower contrast (CON), ENT, and MEAN values in tongue images but higher ASM. Anemic women exhibited age-related trends similar to healthy women, with decreasing L-values and increasing a-, b-, and ASM-values. LASSO identified 19 key features from 62. Among classifiers, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model achieved the best performance [area under the curve (AUC): 0.849, accuracy: 0.781]. The ResNet50V2 model achieved comparable results [AUC: 0.846, accuracy: 0.818]. CONCLUSION Differences in facial and tongue images suggest that color and texture features can serve as potential TCM phenotype and auxiliary diagnostic indicators for female anemia.
Humans ; Female ; Tongue/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Anemia/diagnosis* ; Middle Aged ; Face/diagnostic imaging* ; Young Adult ; Machine Learning

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective To examine the changing prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in 52 hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were collected from 52 hospitals between January 1,2015 and December 31,2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains was tested using Kirby-Bauer method or automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems according to a unified protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released in the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)guidelines(2023 edition).Results A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were isolated from all age groups,especially elderly patients.The proportion was 11.1％(1 032 strains)in children,significantly lower than the proportion in adults.About half(46.5％,4 310/9 261)of the strains were isolated from patients at least 60 years old and 42.3％(3 919/9 261)of the strains were isolated from young adults.Most isolates(71.1％)were isolated from sputum and respiratory secretions,followed by urine(10.7％)and blood samples(8.1％).B.cepacia isolates were highly susceptible to the five antimicrobial agents recommended in the CLSI M100 document(33rd edition,2023).B.cepacia isolates showed relatively higher resistance rates to meropenem and levofloxacin.However,the resistance rates to ceftazidime,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and minocycline remained below 8.1％.The percentage of B.cepacia strains resistant to levofloxacin was the highest compared to other antibiotics in any of the three age groups(from 12.4％in the patients＜18 years old to 20.6％in the patients aged 60 years or older).Conclusions B.cepacia is one of the clinically important non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria.Accurate and timely reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility test results and ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance are helpful for rational prescription of antimicrobial agents and proper prevention and control of nosocomial infections.

Objective To summarize the changing prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Enterobacterales based on the data of CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021 for improving antimicrobial treatment in clinical practice.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a commercial automated susceptibility testing system according to the unified CHINET protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)M100 31st ed in 2021.Results Over the seven-year period(2015-2021),the overall prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE)was 9.43％(62 342/661 235).The prevalence of CRE strains in Klebsiella pneumoniae,Citrobacter freundii,and Enterobacter cloacae was 22.38％,9.73％,and 8.47％,respectively.The prevalence of CRE strains in Escherichia coli was 1.99％.A few CRE strains were also identified in Salmonella and Shigella.The CRE strains were mainly isolated from respiratory specimens(44.23±2.80)％,followed by blood(20.88±3.40)％and urine(18.40±3.45)％.Intensive care units(ICUs)were the major source of the CRE strains(27.43±5.20)％.CRE strains were resistant to all the β-lactam antibiotics tested and most non-β-lactam antimicrobial agents.The CRE strains were relatively susceptible to tigecycline and polymyxins with low resistance rates.Conclusions The prevalence of CRE strains was increasing from 2015 to 2021.CRE strains were highly resistant to most of the antibacterial drugs used in clinical practice.Clinicians should prescribe antimicrobial agents rationally.Hospitals should strengthen antibiotic stewardship in key clinical settings such as ICUs,and take effective infection control measures to curb CRE outbreak and epidemic in hospitals.

Objective:To study the effects of fluoride and aluminum exposure alone and in combination on pyroptosis and the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway in NG108-15 cells.Methods:Using a factorial design method, NG108-15 cells cultured in vitro were divided into control group [0 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) + 0 mg/L aluminium trichloride (AlCl 3)], fluoride group (40 mg/L NaF + 0 mg/L AlCl 3), aluminum group (0 mg/L NaF + 160 mg/L AlCl 3), and fluoride + aluminum group (40 mg/L NaF + 160 mg/L AlCl 3) according to the concentrations of NaF and AlCl 3. After 24 hours of cultivation, the cells were collected for subsequent experiments. The fluorescence intensity of pyroptosis index GSDMD in each group was detected by immunofluorescence method. The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, and GSDMD in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, gasdermin D N-terminus (GSDMD-N) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in each group were detected by Western blotting. Results:The immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group (1.00 ± 0.02), the fluorescence intensity of GSDMD in the fluoride, aluminum, and fluoride + aluminum groups (1.49 ± 0.02, 1.22 ± 0.04, 1.25 ± 0.03) were higher ( P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that compared with the control group (1.00 ± 0.02, 1.00 ± 0.01, 1.00 ± 0.08, 1.00 ± 0.06), the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 (1.21 ± 0.06, 1.60 ± 0.07, 1.42 ± 0.02), ASC (2.61 ± 0.07, 1.53 ± 0.01, 2.12 ± 0.03), Caspase-1 (1.32 ± 0.05, 1.53 ± 0.04, 2.07 ± 0.05), and GSDMD (1.60 ± 0.03, 1.65 ± 0.04, 2.23 ± 0.05) were higher in the fluoride, aluminum, and fluoride + aluminum groups ( P < 0.05). Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group (1.00 ± 0.04, 1.00 ± 0.08, 1.00 ± 0.05, 1.00 ± 0.02, 1.00 ± 0.03, 1.00 ± 0.06), the protein expression levels of NLRP3 (1.55 ± 0.06, 1.40 ± 0.07, 1.24 ± 0.05), ASC (1.66 ± 0.05, 1.48 ± 0.06, 1.32 ± 0.06), Caspase-1 (1.51 ± 0.02, 1.40 ± 0.01, 1.28 ± 0.03), GSDMD (1.24 ± 0.03, 1.31 ± 0.06, 1.18 ± 0.03), GSDMD-N (1.18 ± 0.04, 1.27 ± 0.03, 1.27 ± 0.03), and IL-1β (1.81 ± 0.03, 1.70 ± 0.08, 1.52 ± 0.05) were higher in the fluoride, aluminum, and fluoride + aluminum groups ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:Exposure to fluoride and aluminum alone and in combination can induce pyroptosis in NG108-15 cells, and the mechanism may be related to up-regulation of molecules related to the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective To characterize the changing species distribution and antibiotic resistance profiles of respiratory isolates in hospitals participating in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021.Methods Commercial automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems and disk diffusion method were used to test the susceptibility of respiratory bacterial isolates to antimicrobial agents following the standardized technical protocol established by the CHINET program.Results A total of 589 746 respiratory isolates were collected from 2015 to 2021.Overall,82.6％of the isolates were Gram-negative bacteria and 17.4％were Gram-positive bacteria.The bacterial isolates from outpatients and inpatients accounted for(6.0±0.9)％and(94.0±0.1)％,respectively.The top microorganisms were Klebsiella spp.,Acinetobacter spp.,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus aureus,Haemophilus spp.,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia,Escherichia coli,and Streptococcus pneumoniae.Each microorganism was isolated from significantly more males than from females(P＜0.05).The overall prevalence of methicillin-resistant S.aureus(MRSA)was 39.9％.The prevalence of penicillin-resistant S.pneumoniae was 1.4％.The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL)-producing E.coli and K.pneumoniae was 67.8％and 41.3％,respectively.The overall prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E.coli,K.pneumoniae,Enterobacter cloacae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Acinetobacter baumannii was 3.7％,20.8％,9.4％,29.8％,and 73.3％,respectively.The prevalence of β-lactamase was 96.1％in Moraxella catarrhalis and 60.0％in Haemophilus influenzae.The H.influenzae isolates from children(＜18 years)showed significantly higher resistance rates to β-lactam antibiotics than the isolates from adults(P＜0.05).Conclusions Gram-negative bacteria are still predominant in respiratory isolates associated with serious antibiotic resistance.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance should be strengthened in clinical practice to support accurate etiological diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.