OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic etiology of a fetus diagnosed with Mandibulofacial dysostosis with microcephaly (MFDM). METHODS: A fetus that underwent prenatal diagnosis at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, on May 19, 2025 was selected for analysis. Results of fetal ultrasound findings, chromosomal karyotyping, copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq), and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were collected. Sanger sequencing was performed for familial validation of the pathogenic variant. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA), STRING, and Simple ClinVar databases were queried to characterize the biological features of the candidate gene. Three-dimensional structures of the wild-type and variant proteins were modeled and analyzed, and the evolutionary conservation of the affected amino acid was assessed using UGENE. Prenatal phenotypes associated with EFTUD2 variants were summarized through a review of the literature. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University (Ethics No.: 2025-KY-029-01). RESULTS: At 23⁺² weeks of gestation, ultrasound examination revealed bilateral microtia with low-set ears, mild micrognathia with a reduced mandibular-facial angle, a single umbilical artery, a slightly narrow aortic diameter, and trivial mitral regurgitation. Amniotic fluid karyotyping and CNV-seq showed no abnormalities. WES identified a de novo, previously unreported EFTUD2 variant, c.698dupA (p.V235Gfs*27), in the fetus. This frameshift variant is predicted to alter the structural integrity of the EFTUD2 protein. Literature review indicated that micrognathia and microtia or low-set ears are the most common sonographic features in fetuses with EFTUD2 variants, while secondary findings may include abnormal stomach bubble, cleft palate, single umbilical artery, gastrointestinal atresia, polyhydramnios, and reduced aortic diameter. CONCLUSION The EFTUD2: c.698dupA (p.V235Gfs*27) variant is likely the genetic cause underlying MFDM in this fetus.
Humans ; Mandibulofacial Dysostosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Microcephaly/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear/chemistry* ; Peptide Elongation Factors/chemistry* ; Fetus ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Adult ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Yiqi wenyang huwei decoction （YQWY） in improving airway inflammation and remodeling in rats with bronchial asthma （BA） based on the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group， the model group， the dexamethasone group （positive control， 0.5 mg/kg）， and YQWY low-， medium- and high-dose groups （5， 10， 20 g/kg， calculated by the crude drug）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were sensitized twice with ovalbumin combined with aerosol challenge to establish a BA model. From day 14 to day 34 of the experiment， the rats in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， 1 hour before aerosol challenge. At 24 hours after the final aerosol challenge， asthma symptom scores were assessed， serum levels of immunoglobulin E （IgE） were measured， and the levels of inflammatory cytokines （interleukin-4， interleukin-5， interleukin-13 and tumor necrosis factor-α） and the numbers of inflammatory cells （white blood cell， eosinophil， neutrophil， lymphocyte， monocyte and basophil） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed. The mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 in lung tissue， were detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the pathological changes， such as inflammatory cell infiltration， abnormal deposition of collagen fibers， and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung tissue of rats in each drug group， were alleviated to varying degrees. The asthma symptom scores （except for the YQWY low-dose group）， the levels of IgE and inflammatory cytokines （except for interleukin-5 in the YQWY medium-dose group）， the number of inflammatory cells （except for monocyte and basophil in the YQWY low-dose group）， the mRNA expression of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （except for MyD88 and NF-κB p65 proteins in the YQWY low-dose group as detected by Western blo t） were all significantly reduced or down-regulated （ P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS YQWY can alleviate asthma-like manifestations in BA rats and improve their airway inflammation and remodeling； these effects may be related to the formula’s inhibition of the abnormal activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the role of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing in evaluating early hearing loss among noise-exposed workers. Methods A total of 174 noise-exposed workers in a metal shipbuilding enterprise were selected as the research subjects by the convenience sampling method. Pure tone audiometry (PTA), DPOAE and the level of noise exposure were conducted on the workers. The rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DPOAE amplitude and PTA threshold. The multilevel model was used to analyze the effects of gender, age, noise exposure intensity, cumulative noise exposure (CNE), hearing loss classification and PTA threshold on DPOAE results. Results At the frequencies of 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 6.00 and 8.00 kHz, the DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with the PTA threshold (rank correlation coefficients were -0.12, -0.48, -0.47, -0.18, -0.23, -0.44, -0.19, respectively, all P<0.01). At the most frequencies, DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with age and CNE (all P<0.05). The results of multilevel model analysis showed that there were significant differences in DPOAE amplitudes at certain frequencies across gender, age, noise intensity, CNE, and hearing loss classification (all P<0.05). Significant differences in DPOAE responses were found among different CNE and hearing loss groups (all P<0.01). Conclusion DPOAE testing can objectively reflect the hearing status of noise-exposed workers and could be considered for inclusion in routine hearing monitoring to facilitate early detection of noise-induced hearing loss.

Objective To investigate the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on the thyroid status and hormone levels of radiation workers. Methods Radiation workers who underwent occupational health examinations at a hospital in Guangzhou from 2015 to 2022 were selected as the subjects of this study. The levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH were analyzed, and the thyroid abnormality status of radiation workers in different groups were compared. Results A total of 1152 participants were included in this study, consisting of 885 (76.82%) males and 267 (23.18%) females, with an average age of (35.26 ± 10.16) years. The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities was 9.38%, which was significantly higher in females (13.86%) than in males (8.02%) (P < 0.05). The TSH level of females [(2.15 ± 1.29) mIU/L] was higher than that of males [(1.85 ± 1.20) mIU/L], while the levels of FT3 [(5.10 ± 0.64) pmol/L] and FT4 [(15.84 ± 2.32) pmol/L] in females were lower than those in males [(5.23 ± 0.63) pmol/L and (16.61 ± 2.75) pmol/L, P < 0.05]. The FT3 of industrial workers [(5.25 ± 0.63) pmol/L] was higher than that of medical workers [(5.10 ± 0.63) pmol/L], while the TSH of industrial workers [(1.80 ± 1.12) mIU/L] was lower than that of medical workers [(2.15 ± 1.37) mIU/L]. FT4 levels decreased with increasing age and duration of occupational exposure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that sex was a significant independent predictor of thyroid abnormalities among radiation workers. Female workers were more likely to experience thyroid abnormalities (β = −0.62, P < 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose ionizing radiation may have a certain impact on the thyroid status of radiation workers, especially for female workers, which requires further attention and research.

At the end of 2020, the FDA issued emergency use authorization for two mRNA vaccines（BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273）, which had provided important support in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The great success of these COVID-19 vaccines based on non-viral vectors has promoted the research and application of mRNA vaccines in the treatment of diseases such as tumors. Compared with virus-based delivery systems, non-viral carriers have significant advantages in biological safety and versatility. Therefore, non-viral vectors have become a research hotshot for mRNA tumor vaccines. In this paper, the latest research progress on lipid nanoparticles, polymers, peptides and inorganic materials were introduced. In addition, recent clinical trials of mRNA tumor vaccines were reviewed and the challenges and prospects of non-viral vectors in clinical transformation of mRNA tumor vaccines were discussed.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between metabolic syndrome indexes and thyroid nodules in individuals receiving health examinations.Methods:It′s a retrospective cohort study. A total of 2 678 individuals who received health examinations in the Health Management Center of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University for four consecutive years and met the admission criteria were selected as the research objects. According to the metabolic syndrome index data of health examination, according to the different duration of metabolic syndrome during the observation period, the group-based trajectory model, Bayesian information criterion and average posterior grouping probability were used to determine the best trajectory groups, and the objects were divided into three different metabolic syndrome index trajectory groups: normal, abnormal and recovery group. During the physical examination in 2022 and 2023, the detection of thyroid nodules in each group was followed up, and the difference of detection rate of thyroid nodules in different metabolic syndrome trajectory groups was compared by Log-rank test, and the correlation between different metabolic syndrome index change trajectories and thyroid nodules was analyzed by logistic regression model.Results:The cumulative detection rate of thyroid nodules in normal group, abnormal group and recovery group was 18.8% (77/410), 27.5% (327/1 190) and 24.7% (266/1 078), respectively ( χ2=19.482, P<0.001). In model 4, after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, drinking, staying up late, insomnia, physical activity, family history and other confounding factors, the risk of thyroid nodules in abnormal group and recovery group was still 2.011 times (95% CI: 1.457-2.776) and 2.006 times (95% CI: 1.389-2.897) of that in normal group. Conclusion:There is a positive correlation between metabolic syndrome index and thyroid nodules in individuals receiving health examinations, and metabolic syndrome index can be used as a predictive index of thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVE To construct novel central nervous system(CNS)-targeted lipid nanoparti-cles for the treatment of organophosphorus-induced brain injury in mice.METHODS(1)Preparation,screening,and characterization of lipid nanoparticles.① Lipid nanoreactivators were prepared using the thin-film hydration method,with asoxime(HI-6)as the therapeutic drug and lipid carriers composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine(POPS),1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-choline(DPPC),and cholesterol(CHOL)(PDC)at varying molar ratios(1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3 and 7∶0∶3)(HI-6@PDC 1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3 and 7∶0∶3).② FLU-labeled lipid nanocarriers(FLU@PDC 1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3,and 7∶0∶3)were prepared and physically mixed with phospholipase A2(PLA2)solution(at the final PLA2 concentration of 10 kU·L-1)to obtain FLU@PDC+PLA2.Male KM mice were randomly divided into normal control(PBS),FLU,and FLU@PDC+PLA2(1∶6∶3,3∶4∶3,5∶2∶3,and 7∶0∶3)groups(n=7 per group).After intravenous(iv)administration(FLU dose:1 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1),brain tissues were collected at 1 h,homogenized,centrifuged,and analyzed via fluorescence spectrophotom-etry to screen the optimal CNS-targeted lipid carrier composition.③ The morphology of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 was characterized by transmission electron microscope(TEM).The particle size,polydispersity index(PDI),and zeta potential of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 were measured using a Zeta potential and particle size analyzer.Encapsulation efficiency and loading efficiency of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 were determined using an ultrafiltration centrifugation method combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).In vitro release kinetics of HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 and HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 were assessed using a dialysis bag diffusion method combined with fluorescence spectrophotometry.(2)Validation of CNS targeting.① Cyanine7(Cy7)-labeled PDC 5∶2∶3(Cy7@PDC)was prepared and mixed with PLA2 solution(Cy7@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3).Mice were divided into normal control,Cy7,Cy7@PDC 5∶2∶3 and Cy7@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 groups(n=3 per group).After iv injection(Cy7 dose:1 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1),brain fluorescence was visualized at 3 h using a small animal in vivo imaging(IVIS)system.② Cyanine 3(Cy3)-labeled PDC 5∶2∶3(Cy3@PDC 5∶2∶3)was prepared and mixed with PLA2 solution(Cy3@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3).Mice were divided into Cy3@PDC 5∶2∶3 and Cy3@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 groups(n=3 per group).After iv injection(Cy3 dose:1 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1),brain tissues were collected at 2 h for fluorescent staining and Cy3 fluorescence observation.(3)Therapeutic efficacy eval-uation.① Male KM mice were randomly divided into normal control,brain injury,HI-6 treatment,and HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 treatment groups(n=6 per group).Except for the normal control,all the mice were subcutaneously(sc)injected with soman(120 μg·kg-1),followed by immediate iv treatment(HI-6 dose:22 mg·kg-1,carrier dose:80 mg·kg-1).At 10 min,orbital blood and brain tissues were collected before brain weight was recorded.Acetylcholinesterase(AChE)reactivation in blood and brain was measured using the Ellman method.② Grouping and treatment were identical to ①(n=3 per group).At 24 h,brain tissues were collected for HE staining to assess histopathological damage.③ Mice were divided into brain injury and HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 treatment groups(n=10 per group)and treated as in ①(soman dose:220 ug·kg-1).Survival rates,neurotoxic symptoms(tremors,salivation),and seizure latency were recorded,and survival curves were plotted.RESULTS(1)PDC 5∶2∶3 exhibited the highest brain fluorescence,indicating optimal CNS targeting.HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 appeared in regular spherical shapes,and were negatively charged,with a size of(219.4±3.1)nm,PDI of 0.4±0.02,entrapment effi-ciency of 72.9％and loading efficiency of 49.7％.HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 showed a cumulative release of 43.5％at 60 min,which was lower than that of rhodamine B(RB)but sufficient for CNS therapeutic timelines.(2)In vivo fluorescence and pathological fluorescence confirmed PLA2-mediated CNS delivery.(3)HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 significantly enhanced AChE reactivation in the blood and brain compared to HI-6.Histopathology revealed mitigated brain injury in treated mice.HI-6@PDC+PLA2 5∶2∶3 prolonged survival,reduced convulsions,alleviated neurotoxicity,and extended seizure latency.CONCLUSION HI-6@PDC 5∶2∶3 can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier via PLA2 mediation,demonstrating strong CNS targeting.It can significantly improve AChE reactivation in peripheral and central tissues and offers potent therapeutic efficacy against organophosphate-induced brain injury.

Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

OBJECTIVES: To detect prfA and hly toxin genes of Listeria monocytogenes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and colloidal gold technology. METHODS: L. monocytogenes DNA was extracted by boiling method. With prfA and hly of L. monocytogenes as the target genes, the 5' ends of upstream and downstream primers of prfA gene were labeled with 6-FAM and biotin, and the 5' ends of upstream and downstream primers of hly gene were labeled with digoxin and biotin, respectively, to establish the toxin gene detection method. Using cloning transformation, sequencing analysis, cloning of positive control products, the detection kid was developed and its specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility and stability were tested, followed by verification with sample testing. RESULTS: The concentration of L. monocytogenes DNA extracted by boiling method was 148.81±0.97 ng/μL, and the A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio ranged from 1.8 to 2.0. The PCR products showed a 100% homology with the gene sequences in GenBank database after cloning, transformation and sequencing. The colloidal gold strip yielded positive results only for L. monocytogenes samples without cross-reactions with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli or Bacillus cereus, and its minimum detection limit was 10^-2 ng/μL, demonstrating a 10-fold greater sensitivity of the test than agarose gel electrophoresis. The test also showed good reproducibility of the results when performed by different operators with good stability of the test strips after storage for 6 to 12 months. The test results showed that this kit could accurately and quickly detect L.monocytogenes in the test samples. CONCLUSIONS The detection kit developed in this study can simultaneously detect prfA and hly toxin genes of L. monocytogenes with good specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility and stability for use in food safety inspection.
Listeria monocytogenes/isolation & purification* ; Gold Colloid ; Bacterial Toxins/genetics* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Hemolysin Proteins/genetics* ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics* ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics* ; Food Microbiology ; Heat-Shock Proteins

OBJECTIVE To investigate the acute lung injury effects of pulmonary phospholipids and their phospholipase A2(PLA2)decomposition products-lysophospholipids and fatty acids-on mice.METHODS Mice were randomly assigned to the following groups:① solvent control(PBS)and PLA2;② solvent control and glycerol phospholipid groups:1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine(DOPS),1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine(DPPS),1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol-amine(DOPE),1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine(DPPE),1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(DPPC),and 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(SOPC);③ solvent con-trol and fatty acid groups:palmitic acid(PA),oleic acid;④ solvent control and lysophospholipid groups:1-oleoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine(18∶1 LysoPS),1-stearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine(18∶0 LysoPS),1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine(16∶0 LysoPS),1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phos-phoethanolamine(16∶0 LysoPE),1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(16∶0 LysoPC);⑤ solvent control,PLA2,DPPC,PA,16∶0 LysoPC,16∶0 LysoPS,and 18∶1 LysoPS.Following anesthesia,mice were administered nebulized PBS in the solvent control group,2.1 ug·kg-1 PLA2 in PBS in the PLA2 group and 2.5 mg·kg-1 of the corresponding substance in PBS in other experimental groups.For group①,survival times were recorded and survival curves were plotted.At 1 h post-treatment,lung tissues from groups ①②③④ were collected,photographed to obtain white light images,and subjected to HE staining to assess histopathological changes and pathological scoring.At 2 h post-treatment,pulmonary blood flow in group ⑤ was assessed using laser speckle contrast imaging,arterial blood gas was analyzed with a blood gas analyzer,and lung function was evaluated using whole-body pleth-ysmography.At 6 hours post-treatment,blood cells from group ⑤ were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer.RESULTS Compared with the solvent control group,severe pathological changes were observed in lung tissues of the PLA2 group,accompanied by extensive inflammatory infiltration and interstitial thickening,with all mice succumbing within 240 min.In mice treated with glyc-erol phospholipids,alveolar structures remained clear,alveolar walls were intact and continuous,and alveolar spaces were translucent,with only occasional minor inflammatory cell infiltration in the septa.No significant pathological alterations were detected in the fatty acid groups.Minor inflammatory cell infiltration was seen in the 16∶0 LysoPE and 16∶0 LysoPC groups.However,such pathological changes as patchy hemorrhage,alveolar interstitial edema,increased alveolar wall thickness,and elevated neutrophil counts were observed in the 18∶1 LysoPS,18∶0 LysoPS,and 16∶0 LysoPS groups.Pathological scores based on HE staining were significantly increased in the 16∶0 LysoPS and 18∶1 LysoPS groups com-pared with the solvent control.The percentage of the lung tissue injury area was also markedly higher in the 16∶0 LysoPS group.A significant decrease in the mean fluorescence intensity of blood flow was observed in the 16∶0 LysoPS group.Arterial partial pressure of oxygen(pO2)was significantly reduced in the PLA2 group,while arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(pCO2)was markedly elevated in the 16∶0 LysoPS and 18∶1 LysoPS groups.Lung function tests revealed that the 16∶0 LysoPS group exhibited significant increases in expiratory time,end-expiratory pressure,and enhanced pause,in contrast to significant decreases in tidal volume,expired volume,and minute volume.The 18∶1 LysoPS group also exhibited a significant decline in minute volume.No significant changes in inflammatory cell concentrations were detected in blood,with the exception of neutrophils in the 16∶0 LysoPS group,which showed a significant but physiologically normal increase.CONCLUSION Pulmonary phospholipids and their PLA2-derived fatty acid metabolites do not induce severe lung injury in mice while the lyso-phospholipid metabolites,particularly lysophosphatidylserine,are found to cause significant lung injury.