ObjectiveIn the realm of forensic science, dust is a valuable type of trace evidence with immense potential for intricate investigations. With the development of DNA sequencing technologies, there is a heightened interest among researchers in unraveling the complex tapestry of microbial communities found within dust samples. Furthermore, striking disparities in the microbial community composition have been noted among dust samples from diverse geographical regions, heralding new possibilities for geographical inference based on microbial DNA analysis. The pivotal role of microbial community data from dust in geographical inference is significant, underscoring its critical importance within the field of forensic science. This study aims to delve deeply into the nuances of fungal community composition across the urban landscapes of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi in China. It evaluates the accuracy of biogeographic inference facilitated by the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fungal sequencing while concurrently laying a robust foundation for the operational integration of environmental DNA into geographical inference mechanisms. MethodsITS2 region of the fungal genomes was amplified using universal primers known as 5.8S-Fun/ITS4-Fun, and the resulting DNA fragments were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq FGx platform. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) was employed to visually represent the differences between samples, while analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were utilized to statistically evaluate the dissimilarities in community composition across samples. Furthermore, using Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis to identify and filter out species that exhibit significant differences between various cities. In addition, we leveraged SourceTracker to predict the geographic origins of the dust samples. ResultsAmong the four cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming and Urumqi, Beijing has the highest species richness. The results of species annotation showed that there were significant differences in the species composition and relative abundance of fungal communities in the four cities. NMDS analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns of samples based on their biogeographic origins in multidimensional space. Samples from the same city exhibited clear clustering, while samples from different cities showed separation along the first axis. The results from ANOSIM and PERMANOVA confirmed the significant differences in fungal community composition between the four cities, with the most pronounced distinctions observed between Fuzhou and Urumqi. Notably, the biogeographic origins of all known dust samples were successfully predicted. ConclusionSignificant differences are observed in the fungal species composition and relative abundance among the cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi. Employing fungal ITS2 sequencing on dust samples from these urban areas enables accurate inference of biogeographical locations. The high feasibility of utilizing fungal community data in dust for biogeographical inferences holds particular promise in the field of forensic science.

AIM: To analyze the factors affecting non-contact intraocular pressure(IOPNCT)measurements after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE), explore the correlation of IOPNCT with central corneal thickness(CCT)and corneal curvature after SMILE, and construct the corresponding regression model which will provide scientific basis for clinical evaluation of the true IOP of patients after SMILE.METHODS: Data from a retrospective analysis of 107 myopic patients(206 eyes)who underwent SMILE and 107 myopic patients(201 eyes)received femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)surgery from June 2023 to May 2024 were examined. IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature before surgery and at 1 and 3 mo were collected. The preoperative and postoperative IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature were analyzed by ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression models were constructed to evaluate the association of postoperative changes of IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature.RESULTS: There were significant differences in IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature of both SMILE and FS-LASIK patients(all P<0.001), there was no significant difference between two groups and interaction effects(all P>0.05), and the IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature at 1 and 3 mo post-surgery were significantly lower than preoperative(all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between IOPNCT and CCT at 1 and 3 mo after SMILE(r=0.261, 0.267, all P<0.001), but no significant correlation with corneal curvature(all P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis of IOPNCT with CCT and corneal curvature at 1 mo after SMILE indicated that the regression equation was: Y=3.426+0.019X1-0.058X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=7.654, P=0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=2.056+0.020X1-0.038 X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistically significance in the equation(F=7.903, P<0.001). The regression equation of postoperative IOPNCT change(△IOPNCT)and intraoperative cutting corneal thickness(△CCT)and corneal curvature at 1 mo was Y=-2.252+0.008X1+0.587X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 stands for the △CCT, X2 represents the corneal curvature change value), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=17.550, P<0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=-2.168+0.024X1+0.281X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 represents △CCT, X2 indicates the corneal curvature change values), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=16.030, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: After SMILE and FS-LASIK surgery, the IOPNCT value of patients was mainly affected by CCT compared with preoperative surgery, and the short-term use of hormone eye drops, fluorometholone, did not cause a significant increase in IOP; both the IOP correction formula at 1 and 3 mo postoperatively can be used clinically to evaluate and correct actual IOP in patients after SMILE.

AIM: To analyze the factors affecting non-contact intraocular pressure(IOPNCT)measurements after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE), explore the correlation of IOPNCT with central corneal thickness(CCT)and corneal curvature after SMILE, and construct the corresponding regression model which will provide scientific basis for clinical evaluation of the true IOP of patients after SMILE.METHODS: Data from a retrospective analysis of 107 myopic patients(206 eyes)who underwent SMILE and 107 myopic patients(201 eyes)received femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)surgery from June 2023 to May 2024 were examined. IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature before surgery and at 1 and 3 mo were collected. The preoperative and postoperative IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature were analyzed by ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression models were constructed to evaluate the association of postoperative changes of IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature.RESULTS: There were significant differences in IOPNCT, CCT, and corneal curvature of both SMILE and FS-LASIK patients(all P<0.001), there was no significant difference between two groups and interaction effects(all P>0.05), and the IOPNCT, CCT and corneal curvature at 1 and 3 mo post-surgery were significantly lower than preoperative(all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between IOPNCT and CCT at 1 and 3 mo after SMILE(r=0.261, 0.267, all P<0.001), but no significant correlation with corneal curvature(all P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis of IOPNCT with CCT and corneal curvature at 1 mo after SMILE indicated that the regression equation was: Y=3.426+0.019X1-0.058X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=7.654, P=0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=2.056+0.020X1-0.038 X2(Y represents IOPNCT, X1 represents the CCT, and X2 represents the corneal curvature), with statistically significance in the equation(F=7.903, P<0.001). The regression equation of postoperative IOPNCT change(△IOPNCT)and intraoperative cutting corneal thickness(△CCT)and corneal curvature at 1 mo was Y=-2.252+0.008X1+0.587X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 stands for the △CCT, X2 represents the corneal curvature change value), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=17.550, P<0.001); the regression equation for 3 mo after surgery was: Y=-2.168+0.024X1+0.281X2(Y represents △IOPNCT, X1 represents △CCT, X2 indicates the corneal curvature change values), with statistical significant difference in the equation(F=16.030, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: After SMILE and FS-LASIK surgery, the IOPNCT value of patients was mainly affected by CCT compared with preoperative surgery, and the short-term use of hormone eye drops, fluorometholone, did not cause a significant increase in IOP; both the IOP correction formula at 1 and 3 mo postoperatively can be used clinically to evaluate and correct actual IOP in patients after SMILE.

ObjectiveTo investigate the ability of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell with programmed cell death-1 （PD-1） knockdown （si-PD-1 CAR-T） targeting folate receptor alpha （FRα） to eliminate hepatoma cells. MethodsThe bioinformatics database TCGA was used to analyze the expression level of FRα antigen in liver cancer tissue and normal liver tissue and the association between FRα expression and the survival of liver cancer patients. The mRNA encoding the CAR structure targeting FRα antigen and the small interfering RNA （siRNA） targeting the PD-1 gene were transduced into T cells using an electroporator to prepare FRα-CAR-T and si-PD-1-CAR-T cells. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression efficiency of FRα-CAR and the knockdown efficiency of PD-1. Hepatoma cell lines JHH-1 and Hep-G2 were cultured in vitro， and flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression of FRα on the surface of tumor cells. With FRα-CAR-T， si-PD-1 CAR-T， and mock vector-transduced T cells （Mock T） used as effector cells and with JHH-1 and Hep-G2 cells as target cells， CCK-8 assay was used to measure the killing efficiency of effector cells against target cells at different effector-to-target ratios （1∶1， 2.5∶1，5∶1，10∶1，20∶1）. ELISA was used to measure the secretion of interferon gamma （IFN-γ） and interleukin-2 （IL-2） in the supernatants from co-cultures of effector and target cells （10∶1）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， while a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the SNK test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for comparison of survival differences. ResultsThe analysis of the TCGA database showed that there was a significant increase in the expression level of FOLR1 in liver cancer tissue， and liver cancer patients with high expression of FOLR1 had a significantly shorter overall survival than those with low expression （P=0.013）. After transduction of mRNA into T cells， the expression rate of FRα-CAR reached 89.8% in CAR-T and 84.7% in si-PD-1 CAR-T cells， and co-transfection with mRNA and siRNA could downregulate PD-1 in T cells and maintain a low expression state for at least 7 days. The expression rate of FRα antigen was 100% in JHH-1 cells， while it showed negative expression in Hep-G2 cells. CCK-8 assay showed that the killing efficiency of si-PD-1-CAR-T against JHH-1 cells was significantly higher than that against FRα-CAR-T cells （P<0.05）. ELISA showed that compared with Mock T cells， FRα-CAR-T cells co-cultured with JHH-1 cells showed significant increases in the secretion of IL-2 （1 032.50±135.90 pg/mL vs 50.26±7.87 pg/mL，P<0.001） and IFN-γ （1 430.56±184.20 pg/mL vs 89.05±11.26 pg/mL，P<0.001）， and in addition， the release levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 after co-culture of si-PD-1-CAR-T and JHH-1 cells were significantly higher than the release level of FRα-CAR-T （P<0.05）. ConclusionFRα is a potential target for liver cancer treatment， and PD-1 knockdown in T cells can significantly enhance the in vitro killing activity of FRα-CAR-T cells.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the pathogen dynamics of influenza in Beihai over the past ten years, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating targeted prevention and control measures. MethodsData for influenza cases, pathogen surveillance, and population statistics from 2014‒2023 were obtained from China Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The analyses of epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of influenza were performed using Joinpoint 5.0, DeoDa 1.22 and SaTScan 10.1.3 software. ResultsThe average annual incidence of influenza was 254.53/100 000 in Beihai from 2014 to 2023,displaying an overall upward trend (APC=81.49%， P<0.001). Spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatiotemporal scanning results indicated that the main cluster of influenza cases was mainly located in Haicheng District. Spatiotemporal scanning results revealed that the peak periods of influenza onset were primarily from December to January of the following year, followed by June and March to April. The highest incidence of influenza was observed in 5‒9 years old group (1 289.66/100 000), followed by 0‒4 years old group (991.72/100 000). The majority of cases were students (44.24%), followed by kindergarten children (26.08%). The highest positive subtype proportion of influenza was A/H3N2 (42.01%), followed by A/H1N1 (24.96%) and B/Victoria (23.50%), while the lowest positive subtype proportion of influenza was B/Yamagata (9.33%). The risk of influenza virus positivity in winter, spring and summer was 4.70 times, 4.74 times, and 2.14 times, respectively, compared to that for autumn, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). The dominant subtypes were A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 in 2019, 2022 and 2023. ConclusionThe overall incidence of influenza showed an upward trend in Beihai from 2014 to 2023. Continuous enhancement of influenza surveillance is necessary. It is suggested that relevant departments should carry out targeted publicity work to promote knowledge on influenza prevention and control and conduct influenza vaccination for populations in key places, such as schools and childcare institutions to prevent influenza outbreaks and epidemics of influenza.

Background::Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is the commonest pediatric sellar tumor. No effective drug is available and interpatient heterogeneity is prominent. This study aimed to identify distinct molecular subgroups of ACP based on the multi-omics profiles, imaging findings, and histological features, in order to predict the response to anti-inflammatory treatment and immunotherapies.Methods::Totally 142 Chinese cases diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas were profiled, including 119 ACPs and 23 papillary craniopharyngiomas. Whole-exome sequencing (151 tumors, including recurrent ones), RNA sequencing (84 tumors), and DNA methylome profiling (95 tumors) were performed. Consensus clustering and non-negative matrix factorization were used for subgrouping, and Cox regression were utilized for prognostic evaluation, respectively.Results::Three distinct molecular subgroups were identified: WNT, ImA, and ImB. The WNT subgroup showed higher Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity, with a greater number of epithelial cells and more predominantly solid tumors. The ImA and ImB subgroups had activated inflammatory and interferon response pathways, with enhanced immune cell infiltration and more predominantly cystic tumors. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEK/MAPK) signaling was activated only in ImA samples, while IL-6 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers were highly expressed in the ImB group, mostly consisting of children. The degree of astrogliosis was significantly elevated in the ImA group, with severe finger-like protrusions at the invasive front of the tumor. The molecular subgrouping was an independent prognostic factor, with the WNT group having longer event-free survival than ImB (Cox, P = 0.04). ImA/ImB cases were more likely to respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy than the WNT group ( P <0.01). In the preliminary screening of subtyping markers, CD38 was significantly downregulated in WNT compared with ImA and ImB ( P = 0.01). Conclusions::ACP comprises three molecular subtypes with distinct imaging and histological features. The prognosis of the WNT type is better than that of the ImB group, which is more likely to benefit from the ICB treatment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcome of endovascular treatment vs. drug treatment in patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Methods:Based on prospective cohort registration research data, patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of internal carotid artery were retrospectively included. They were divided into a drug treatment group and an endovascular treatment group according to the actual treatment received. The latter was further divided into a successful recanalization group and an unsuccessful recanalization group. The endpoint events included ipsilateral ischemic stroke, any stroke, and all-cause death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare the endpoint events between groups during the perioprocedural period (within 30 days), and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was use to compare the endpoint events between the groups during the long-term follow-up. Results:A total of 684 patients were included, of which 570 (83.33%) were male, median aged 63 years (interquartile range, 56-70 years). Three hundred and fifty-three patients (51.6%) received drug treatment; 331 (48.4%) received endovascular treatment, of which 161 (48.6%) had successful recanalization. The median follow-up time was 1 223 days (interquartile range, 646.5-2 082 days), with 109 patients (15.9%) experiencing stroke recurrence events (including 87 ipsilateral ischemic stroke) and 78 (11.4%) experiencing all-cause mortality. The risk of any stroke during the perioprocedural period in the successful recanalization group was significantly higher than that in the drug treatment group (odds ratio 3.679, 95% confidence interval 1.038-13.036; P=0.044), but the risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence (risk ratio 0.347, 95% confidence interval 0.152-0.791; P=0.012) and all-cause mortality (risk ratio 0.239, 95% confidence interval 0.093-0.618; P=0.003) during the long-term follow-up were significantly lower than those in the drug treatment group. Conclusions:In patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery, endovascular treatment can increase the risk of stroke recurrence within 30 days, but successful recanalization can reduce the risks of long-term ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence and all-cause mortality.

Aim To investigate the effect of cinobufo-talin(CB)on the small ubiquitin-like modifier(SU-MO)modification of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha(HIF1α)on ferroptosis of gastric cancer cells.Meth-ods Human normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells(GES-1)and gastric cancer cells(MGC803)were treated with various concentrations of CB.MTT assay was employed to determine cell viability and calculate the IC50 value of CB in gastric cancer cells.Cell inva-sion was evaluated using Transwell assay.Cancer cells were subjected to treatment with ferroptosis agonists(erastin)or inhibitors(ferrostatin-1)to assess the levels of lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS),malon-dialdehyde(MDA),cell apoptosis,intracellular total iron,and Fe2+in gastric cancer cells.Western blot a-nalysis was conducted to detect the expression of SU-MO1 and HIF1α,while immunoprecipitation(IP)was utilized to investigate the interaction between SUMO1 and HIF1 α.An allograft tumor model was established and treated with CB or erastin to assess the impact of CB on tumor growth and ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells in vivo.Results CB at concentrations below 2μmol·L-1 had no impact on the viability of GES-1 cells.Compared to the control group,CB treatment dose-dependently inhibited the viability and invasion of MGC803 cells.CB treatment increased the levels of lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),total iron,and Fe2+in gastric cancer cells,and promoted cell apoptosis(all P＜0.05),compared to the control group.The combination of CB and eras-tin enhanced ferroptosis,while ferrostatin-1 treatment suppressed CB-induced ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells.Mechanistically,CB inhibited the expression of SUMO1,reduced the SUMOylation of HIF1α,and consequently suppressed its expression.The ferroptosis induced by CB in gastric cancer cells could be reversed by overexpression of SUMO1.In vivo experiments con-firmed that CB inhibited tumor growth and induced fer-roptosis in gastric cancer cells.Conclusion CB in-duces ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the SUMOylation modification of HIF1α.

Objective To explore clinical efficacy of osteoplasty combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)and percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP)alone in treating osteoporosis vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs).Methods The clini-cal data of 80 patients with single-level OVCFs treated from January 2021 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and were divided into treatment group and control group according to different surgical methods,40 patients in each group.In treatment group,there were 24 males and 16 females,aged from 60 to 83 years old with an average of(70.43±7.31)years old;bone min-eral density ranged from-3.30 to-2.50 SD with an average of(-2.84±0.24)SD;1 patient with T10,4 patients with T11,11 pa-tients with T12,7 patients with L1,7 patients with L2,5 patients with L3,3 patients with L4,2 patients with L5;bone setting tech-nique combined with PVP were performed.In control group,there were 27 males and 13 females,aged from 60 to 82 years old with an average of(68.98±6.94)years old;bone mineral density ranged from-3.40 to-2.50 SD with an average of(-2.76±0.23)SD;2 patients with T10,3 patients with T11,13 patients with T12,11 patients with L1,5 patients with L2,3 patients with L3,2 patients with L4,1 patient with L5;simple PKP were peformed.Visual analogue scale(VAS)and lumbar Oswestry disability in-dex(ODI)were compared between two groups before operation,3 days,3 and 12 months after operation.The changes of local kyphotic angle,vertebral wedge angle and vertebral anterior margin height ratio were compared between two groups before op-eration,3 days and 12 months after operation.Results All patients were successfully completed operation.Treatment group were followed up from 13 to 22 months with an average of(16.82±2.14)months,and control group were followed up from 13 to 23 months with an average of(16.45±2.56)months.Three patients were occurred bone cement leakage in treatment group,while 1 patient were occurred bone cement leakage and 1 patient occurred sensory disturbance of lower limb skin in control group;there were no significant difference in complications between two groups(P＞0.05).There were no significant difference in preoperative VAS and ODI between two groups(P＞0.05).At 3 days after operation,VAS of treatment group 3.68±0.62 was significantly higher than that of control group 4.00±0.72(P＜0.05).There were no significant difference in VAS and ODI be-tween two groups at 3 and 12 months after operation(P＞0.05).There were no significant difference in local kyphotic angle,vertebral wedge angle and vertebral anterior margin height between two groups at 3 days and 12 months after operation(P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with PKP,bone setting manipulation combined with PVP for the treatment of OVCFs has advan-tages in early postoperative pain relief.In terms of vertebral height recovery,bone setting manipulation combined with PVP and PKP alone have similar clinical effects.

Soluble programmed cell death 1 ligand 1(PD-L1)in the serum includes exosomal,mi-crovesical and secreted forms of PD-L1.Previous studies have shown that the level of exosomal PD-L1 in the serum significantly correlated with the prognosis of various cancers.However,current analysis detects all forms of PD-L1 in the serum as a whole,without distinguishing exosomal PD-L1 from other forms.In this study,a specific detection method for exosomal PD-L1 was established based on surface plasmon res-onance.This method first captures PD-L1 by antibody recognition and immobilizes it on the surface of the detection chip.Then,α-hemolysin was recruited to form multiple oligomers on the exosomal membrane.This method quantifies the content of exosomal PD-L1 by monitoring the signal change during the binding process of α-hemolysin,effectively reducing background noises and amplifying the signal.The linear range before signal amplification with α-hemolysin was 0.035-2.208 pg/mL,and after signal amplifica-tion,it was 0.004-0.552 pg/mL.Methodological validation showed that this method has good specifici-ty,sensitivity,and repeatability,and has certain clinical application prospects.