Objective:To investigate the indications for prenatal diagnosis using copy number variation-sequencing (CNV-seq) and the abnormalities detected by the method.Methods:This retrospective analysis involved 17 994 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal CNV-seq at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to December 2022. These cases were divided into five groups based on the following indications for CNV-seq: abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk results indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or Down's syndrome serological screening (Down's screening), adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age. The proportions of cases with the indications for prenatal CNV-seq, the detection rates of abnormalities (numerical abnormalities of chromosomes, pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNV in structural abnormalities) in the five groups, and the distribution of these abnormalities were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results:Among the 17 994 pregnant women, the women with abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk NIPT results, high-risk Down's screening results, adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age accounted for 32.65% (5 875/17 994), 11.90% (2 142/17 994), 31.62% (5 690/17 994), 11.70% (2 105/17 994), and 12.13% (2 182/17 994), respectively. The detection rates of abnormalities in the five groups were 10.60% (623/5 875), 34.64% (742/2 142), 4.69% (267/5 690), 2.99% (63/2 105), and 3.67% (80/2 182), respectively. The overall detection rate of abnormalities was 9.86% (1 775/17 994). The cases with numerical abnormalities of chromosomes accounted for 68.79% (1 221/1 775), trisomy 21 was predominant (49.30%, 602/1 221). Chromosomal structural abnormalities were detected in 31.21% (554/1 775) of the cases with abnormalities, with 57.76% (320/554) harboring pathogenic CNVs and 42.24% (234/554) harboring likely pathogenic CNVs. The detection rate of chromosomal numerical abnormalities was higher than that of structural abnormalities in the abnormal fetal ultrasound group, NIPT high-risk group, and advanced maternal age group [6.81% (400/5 875) vs. 3.80% (223/5 875), χ2=53.10; 27.96% (599/2 142) vs. 6.68% (143/2 142), χ2=338.40; 2.43% (53/2 182) vs. 1.24% (27/2 182), χ2=8.61; all P<0.01]. A total of 416 microdeletions and 255 microduplications were detected in the 554 cases. The top three regions with the highest frequencies in microdeletions were Xp22.31 (12.74%, 53/416), 22q11.21 (7.93%, 33/416), and 17q12 (5.77%, 24/416); in microduplications, they were 22q11.21 (14.90%, 38/255), 17q12 (3.53%, 9/255), and 7q11.23 (3.53%, 9/255). Conclusions:Abnormal fetal ultrasound findings accounted for the highest proportion of prenatal diagnostic indications. The overall detection rate of abnormalities by CNV-seq is relatively high, especially in those with high-risk NIPT results as an indication for prenatal diagnosis. Among the chromosomal structural abnormalities detected in this study, the frequencies of Xp22.31 microdeletion and 22q11.21 microduplication are higher.

Objective To observe brain function changes in insomnia disorder(ID)patients and therapeutic effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)based on resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI).Methods Totally 37 patients with ID(ID group)and 20 healthy subjects(control group)were prospectively enrolled.The scores of sleep condition and psychological state scales were compared between groups,also within ID group before and after rTMS treatment.Brain regions with amplitude of low frequency fluctuations(ALFF)and regional homogeneity(ReHo)being significantly different between groups were evaluated based on brain rs-fMRI,and voxel-based resting-state functional connectivity(FC)analysis was performed in the above regions and the predefined regions of interest.Results Before treatment,Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),insomnia severity index(ISI),Epworth sleepiness score(ESS),Beck depression inventory(BDI)score and Beck anxiety inventory(BAI)score in ID group were all higher than those in control group(all P＜0.05).ALFF values and ReHo of the right median cingulate and paracingulate gyrus(Cingulum_Mid_R)were lower in ID group than those in control group(all FWE correctedP＜0.05).FC between Cingulum_Mid_R and the left anterior cingulate gyrus and cingulate gyrus(Cingulum_Ant_L)decreased,so did that between the left hippocampus(Hippocampus_L)and the right frontal gyrus(Frontal_Mid_R)(all FWE corrected P＜0.05).After rTMS,PSQI,ISI and ESS scores of ID patients decreased compared to those before treatment(all P＜0.05),but no significant change of the above neuroimaging indicators was detected(all FWE corrected P＞0.05).Conclusion ID caused synchronous decrease of Cingulum_Mid_R ALFF value and ReHo,as well as weakened FC between frontal cingulate gyrus and frontal with lobe limbic system.rTMS could improve sleep and mental state of ID patients,but its impact on neuroimaging needed further investigation.

To achieve rapid and visual detection of Plasmodium vivax,a detection method based on recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)technology and lateral flow dipstick(LFD)was established and evaluated.Targeting the conserved sequence of the P.vivax 18S rRNA gene(GenBank:DQ660817.1)as the target sequence,primers and probes were designed with Primer Premier 5,and the P.vivax recombinant plasmid(pUCPv)was constructed as the standard.A sensitive and specific RPA-LFD-based rapid visual detection method for P.vivax nucleic acids was established.The plasmid standard was serially diluted 10-fold to concentrations of 1×103,1×102,1×101,1×10?,and 1×10?1 copies/μL for sensitivity testing.To evaluate specificity,whole blood DNA samples from patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum,Plasmodium malariae,Plasmodium ovale,or Leishmania donovani,as well as healthy participants,were tested by RPA-LFD.Additionally,The assay′s accuracy was evaluated by testing whole blood DNA samples from 24 confirmed P.vivax-infected patients.This study successfully established a sensitive,specific,and rapid visual RPA-LFD method for detecting P.vivax nucleic acids.The assay can complete P.vivax detection within 20 minutes under isothermal conditions at 39 ℃,achieving a sensitivity of 1 copy/μL.There is no significant cross reaction with parasites such as other Plasmodium species and L.donovani,and the specificity is 100%.All 24 DNA samples from confirmed P.vivax patients were detected,showing a 100%detection rate.The developed RPA-LFD assay exhibits excellent sensitivity and specificity,requires only simple heating equipment,and is user-friendly.This rapid visual detection method is particularly suitable for P.vivax screening in low-resource settings.

Objective:To investigate the indications for prenatal diagnosis using copy number variation-sequencing (CNV-seq) and the abnormalities detected by the method.Methods:This retrospective analysis involved 17 994 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal CNV-seq at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to December 2022. These cases were divided into five groups based on the following indications for CNV-seq: abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk results indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or Down's syndrome serological screening (Down's screening), adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age. The proportions of cases with the indications for prenatal CNV-seq, the detection rates of abnormalities (numerical abnormalities of chromosomes, pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNV in structural abnormalities) in the five groups, and the distribution of these abnormalities were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results:Among the 17 994 pregnant women, the women with abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk NIPT results, high-risk Down's screening results, adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age accounted for 32.65% (5 875/17 994), 11.90% (2 142/17 994), 31.62% (5 690/17 994), 11.70% (2 105/17 994), and 12.13% (2 182/17 994), respectively. The detection rates of abnormalities in the five groups were 10.60% (623/5 875), 34.64% (742/2 142), 4.69% (267/5 690), 2.99% (63/2 105), and 3.67% (80/2 182), respectively. The overall detection rate of abnormalities was 9.86% (1 775/17 994). The cases with numerical abnormalities of chromosomes accounted for 68.79% (1 221/1 775), trisomy 21 was predominant (49.30%, 602/1 221). Chromosomal structural abnormalities were detected in 31.21% (554/1 775) of the cases with abnormalities, with 57.76% (320/554) harboring pathogenic CNVs and 42.24% (234/554) harboring likely pathogenic CNVs. The detection rate of chromosomal numerical abnormalities was higher than that of structural abnormalities in the abnormal fetal ultrasound group, NIPT high-risk group, and advanced maternal age group [6.81% (400/5 875) vs. 3.80% (223/5 875), χ2=53.10; 27.96% (599/2 142) vs. 6.68% (143/2 142), χ2=338.40; 2.43% (53/2 182) vs. 1.24% (27/2 182), χ2=8.61; all P<0.01]. A total of 416 microdeletions and 255 microduplications were detected in the 554 cases. The top three regions with the highest frequencies in microdeletions were Xp22.31 (12.74%, 53/416), 22q11.21 (7.93%, 33/416), and 17q12 (5.77%, 24/416); in microduplications, they were 22q11.21 (14.90%, 38/255), 17q12 (3.53%, 9/255), and 7q11.23 (3.53%, 9/255). Conclusions:Abnormal fetal ultrasound findings accounted for the highest proportion of prenatal diagnostic indications. The overall detection rate of abnormalities by CNV-seq is relatively high, especially in those with high-risk NIPT results as an indication for prenatal diagnosis. Among the chromosomal structural abnormalities detected in this study, the frequencies of Xp22.31 microdeletion and 22q11.21 microduplication are higher.

To achieve rapid and visual detection of Plasmodium vivax,a detection method based on recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)technology and lateral flow dipstick(LFD)was established and evaluated.Targeting the conserved sequence of the P.vivax 18S rRNA gene(GenBank:DQ660817.1)as the target sequence,primers and probes were designed with Primer Premier 5,and the P.vivax recombinant plasmid(pUCPv)was constructed as the standard.A sensitive and specific RPA-LFD-based rapid visual detection method for P.vivax nucleic acids was established.The plasmid standard was serially diluted 10-fold to concentrations of 1×103,1×102,1×101,1×10?,and 1×10?1 copies/μL for sensitivity testing.To evaluate specificity,whole blood DNA samples from patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum,Plasmodium malariae,Plasmodium ovale,or Leishmania donovani,as well as healthy participants,were tested by RPA-LFD.Additionally,The assay′s accuracy was evaluated by testing whole blood DNA samples from 24 confirmed P.vivax-infected patients.This study successfully established a sensitive,specific,and rapid visual RPA-LFD method for detecting P.vivax nucleic acids.The assay can complete P.vivax detection within 20 minutes under isothermal conditions at 39 ℃,achieving a sensitivity of 1 copy/μL.There is no significant cross reaction with parasites such as other Plasmodium species and L.donovani,and the specificity is 100%.All 24 DNA samples from confirmed P.vivax patients were detected,showing a 100%detection rate.The developed RPA-LFD assay exhibits excellent sensitivity and specificity,requires only simple heating equipment,and is user-friendly.This rapid visual detection method is particularly suitable for P.vivax screening in low-resource settings.

Objective To observe brain function changes in insomnia disorder(ID)patients and therapeutic effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)based on resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI).Methods Totally 37 patients with ID(ID group)and 20 healthy subjects(control group)were prospectively enrolled.The scores of sleep condition and psychological state scales were compared between groups,also within ID group before and after rTMS treatment.Brain regions with amplitude of low frequency fluctuations(ALFF)and regional homogeneity(ReHo)being significantly different between groups were evaluated based on brain rs-fMRI,and voxel-based resting-state functional connectivity(FC)analysis was performed in the above regions and the predefined regions of interest.Results Before treatment,Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),insomnia severity index(ISI),Epworth sleepiness score(ESS),Beck depression inventory(BDI)score and Beck anxiety inventory(BAI)score in ID group were all higher than those in control group(all P＜0.05).ALFF values and ReHo of the right median cingulate and paracingulate gyrus(Cingulum_Mid_R)were lower in ID group than those in control group(all FWE correctedP＜0.05).FC between Cingulum_Mid_R and the left anterior cingulate gyrus and cingulate gyrus(Cingulum_Ant_L)decreased,so did that between the left hippocampus(Hippocampus_L)and the right frontal gyrus(Frontal_Mid_R)(all FWE corrected P＜0.05).After rTMS,PSQI,ISI and ESS scores of ID patients decreased compared to those before treatment(all P＜0.05),but no significant change of the above neuroimaging indicators was detected(all FWE corrected P＞0.05).Conclusion ID caused synchronous decrease of Cingulum_Mid_R ALFF value and ReHo,as well as weakened FC between frontal cingulate gyrus and frontal with lobe limbic system.rTMS could improve sleep and mental state of ID patients,but its impact on neuroimaging needed further investigation.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive axonopathy, jointly leading to the dying back of the motor neuron, disrupting both nerve signaling and motor control. In this review, we highlight the roles of axonopathy in ALS progression, driven by the interplay of multiple factors including defective trafficking machinery, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Dysfunctional intracellular transport, caused by disruptions in microtubules, molecular motors, and adaptors, has been identified as a key contributor to disease progression. Aberrant protein aggregation involving TDP-43, FUS, SOD1, and dipeptide repeat proteins further amplifies neuronal toxicity. Mitochondrial defects lead to ATP depletion, oxidative stress, and Ca²⁺ imbalance, which are regarded as key factors underlying the loss of neuromuscular junctions and axonopathy. Mitigating these defects through interventions including neurotrophic treatments offers therapeutic potential. Collaborative research efforts aim to unravel ALS complexities, opening avenues for holistic interventions that target diverse pathological mechanisms.
Humans ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/therapy* ; Animals ; Axons/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Motor Neurons/pathology*

Objective To compare the clinical effect of aripiprazole and risperidone in patients with schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the case data of schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome.According to different treatment methods,they were divided into risperidone group(oral risperidone,2 mg once,twice a day)and aripiprazole group(oral aripiprazole,5 mg once,once a day).All were treated for 24 weeks and given lifestyle intervention.The clinical effect,scores of positive and negative symptom scale(PANSS),metabolic syndrome-related indexes[systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),body mass index(BMI),fasting blood glucose(FPG),triglyceride(TG)],cognitive function[MATRICS consensus cognitive battery(MCCB)],levels of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB)and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF)were compared between the two groups.The adverse drug reactions were statistically analyzed in two groups.Results There were 60 cases in risperidone group and 60 cases in aripiprazole group.The total response rates of aripiprazole group and risperidone group were 91.67％and 76.67％,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After treatment,scores of positive symptoms in PANSS in aripiprazole group and risperidone group were(10.04±1.55)and(11.52±1.62)points;negative symptom scores were(12.74±2.38)and(14.38±2.25)points;general psychopathology scores were(16.53±4.39)and(19.76±4.10)points;total scores of PANSS were(39.31±6.25)and(45.66±6.71)points;total scores of MCCB were(43.61±8.50)and(40.55±8.16)points;BMI were(24.05±2.52)and(25.73±2.86)kg·m-2;SBP were(123.61±7.64)and(128.75±8.59)mmHg;FPG were(5.69±0.60)and(6.38±0.62)mmol·L-1;TG levels were(1.76±0.20)and(2.01±0.22)mmol·L-1;levels of serum BDNF were(32.41±5.81)and(28.65±4.87)pg·mL-1;TrkB levels were(43.88±5.92)and(41.73±5.63)ng·mL-1;GDNF levels were(587.47±36.12)and(468.23±35.68)pg·mL-1,the differences between the two groups were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions between aripiprazole group and risperidone group(15.00％vs.6.67％,P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with risperidone,clinical effect of aripiprazole is better in patients with schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome,which has fewer effects on body weight,blood pressure and glycolipid metabolism,and it may improve cognitive function by increasing levels of serum BDNF,TrkB and GDNF.

To understand the pathogenicity,virulence genes,drug resistance genes,and drug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from yaks in some areas of Lhasa and Nagqu City,55 yak nasal swab samples were analyzed for S.aureus in this study.The cocci were isolated and identified,and the carriage of virulence genes and drug resistance genes,as well as the pathogenicity and drug sensitivity of the isolated S.aureus strains,were detected with PCR,artificially infected mice,and the K-B drug susceptibility disk method.Seven strains of S.aureus were isolated from the 55 yak nasal swab samples,with an iso-lation rate of 12.73％.The isolated strains were all pathogenic to mice,with a fatality rate exceeding 60％.These seven strains of S.aureus carried three drug resistance genes(tetM,tet,and mecA)and six virulence genes(seb,sec,clfA,hla,hlb,and nuc).The detection rate of the three drug resistance genes was 100％,whereas the detection rate of the six virulence genes in the isolates ranged from 83.33％to 100％.The resistance rates of the isolated strains to penicillin,ampicillin,and cotrimox-azole reached 85.71％-100％,whereas the resistance rates to tetracycline and ceftazidime were both 28.57％.Thus,yaks in Lhasa and Nagqu cities were found to be infected by S.aureus strains carrying various drug-resistance genes and virulence genes.These strains were highly pathogenic and showed sensi-tivity to most antibacterial drugs.These findings may serve as a reference for treating S.aureus infection in yaks in the cities of Lhasa and Nagqu.

COVID-19 is caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Current systemic vaccines generally provide limited protection against viral replication and shedding within the airway. Recombinant VSV (rVSV) is an effective vector which inducing potent and comprehensive immunities. Currently, there are two clinical trials investigating COVID-19 vaccines based on VSV vectors. These vaccines were developed with spike protein of WA1 which administrated intramuscularly. Although intranasal route is ideal for activating mucosal immunity with VSV vector, safety is of concern. Thus, a highly attenuated rVSV with three amino acids mutations in matrix protein (VSV_MT) was developed to construct safe mucosal vaccines against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. It demonstrated that spike protein mutant lacking 21 amino acids in its cytoplasmic domain could rescue rVSV efficiently. VSV_MT indicated improved safeness compared with wild-type VSV as the vector encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. With a single-dosed intranasal inoculation of rVSV_ΔGMT-S_Δ21, potent SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralization antibodies could be stimulated in animals, particularly in term of mucosal and cellular immunity. Strikingly, the chimeric VSV encoding S_Δ21 of Delta-variant can induce more potent immune responses compared with those encoding S_Δ21 of Omicron- or WA1-strain. VSV_MT is a promising platform to develop a mucosal vaccine for countering COVID-19.