Objective To explore the effect of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in Taiyuan City on short-term pulmonary function in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Among the 1 015 elderly COPD patients admitted to the respiratory departments of five general hospitals in Taiyuan City from December 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively selected for research; medical records, air pollutant data and meteorological data were analyzed; the relationship between PM_2.5 and lung function indicators and air pollutants was analyzed; the impact of PM_2.5 on lung function and its lag effect were analyzed; the cumulative effect of PM_2.5 concentration on the risk of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction was analyzed; The influence of gender and age on the relationship between PM_2.5 and patients ' short-term pulmonary function was analyzed. Results PM_2.5, respirable particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO) were negatively correlated with average temperature and average humidity (P<0.05) ; Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) were negatively correlated with average temperature (P<0.05) ; There was a positive correlation among PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, CO, NO₂, and O₃ (P<0.05) ; Elevated PM_2.5 is an independent risk factor for decreased lung function and increased air pollutants (P<0.05) ; At lag0 and lag1, PM_2.5 concentration was negatively correlated with lung function in a dose-response manner (P<0.05); daily average PM_2.5 concentration at lag0 was a dangerous effect (P<0.05). Conclusion The impact of PM_2.5 concentration on lung function has a certain time lag. An increase in PM_2.5 concentrations can lead to a decline in lung function.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by intense pain in the sensory distribution area of the trigeminal nerve. It can be triggered by non-noxious stimuli such as brushing teeth and washing face. At present, the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia mainly includes oral drugs and surgical treatments. A 92-year-old patient with trigeminal neuralgia was reported. The pain could not be alleviated because the patient was unable to tolerate the side effects of drugs and surgical treatment. Taking into account the onset time and the duration of the curative effect, botulinum toxin type A was combined with cobrotoxin for the treatment of the patient. As a result, the pain symptoms were rapidly alleviated and remained in a relieved state for 8 months. The clinical characteristics of this patient were summarized in this article, and the possible synergistic mechanisms of action of the 2 drugs were discussed. The ultimate objective is to furnish a broader spectrum of alternatives and references for clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the effect of psoas muscle index (PMI) and construct a machine learning model to validate the 180-day prognosis in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.Methods:Retrospective data were collected from patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis at Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2022 to November 2022. The area of the psoas muscle index (PMI) at the level of the third lumbar vertebra was measured and calculated based on the abdominal X-ray computed tomography images stored in the Eastern China Hospital Information System (HIS). Patients were divided into low PMI and normal PMI groups according to the receiver operating characteristic curve. Patients clinical data and complication status were collected.The general conditions of both groups were compared using a t-test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied for survival analysis. The outcome variable was 180-day mortality, and variables were selected using Cox and LASSO regression. The dataset was divided into training and testing sets in a 7∶3 ratio. Machine learning algorithms were used to build models in the training set, and model performance was validated by the test set. The model for MELD-Na score was compared with the model for End-Stage Liver Disease score. Results:A total of 298 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were included.The MELD scores, Child-Pugh classification, and NRS2002 scores, along with the incidence rate of complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, infections, and gastrointestinal bleeding, were significantly higher in the low PMI than the normal PMI group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve for the extreme gradient boosting model was higher than traditional clinical scores (MELD score 0.658, MELD_Na score 0.719) in the machine learning model. Furthermore, the application of SHAP results model indicated that PMI, hemoglobin, NRS2002 score, direct bilirubin, and blood ammonia were important factors in predicting the prognosis of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Conclusion:A low PMI is closely related to poorer survival rates and the development of complication rates in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. The machine learning prediction model based on this construction, especially extreme gradient boosting, has favorable predictive performance, which is superior to the traditional clinical scoring system and can provide patients with the most accurate risk assessment and individualized treatment plan.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has rich experience in the diagnosis and treatment of epidemics,but the basic con-cepts and diagnosis and treatment strategies of TCM for epidemics have not yet formed a common understanding.This paper preliminar-ily constructs a diagnosis and treatment system of TCM epidemics from the perspective of"type differentiation-stage differentiation-syndrome differentiation"by combing the basic concepts of the etiology,pathogenesis,and identification of epidemics,taking state-target differentiation and treatment as the general principle.First,the epidemics are divided into five types:cold epidemics,warm epi-demics,cold-damp epidemics,damp epidemics,and miscellaneous epidemics;then,according to the overall course of the epidemics,they are divided into four stages:"initial stage-peak stage-extreme stage-relapse stage",the initial stage is the stage of exterior syn-dromes,the peak stage is the stage of heat peak,the extreme stage is the stage of internal closure and external loss,and the relapse stage is the stage of recovery of the healthy qi and retreat of the evil qi;finally,on the basis of staging,combined with the syndrome char-acteristics of various epidemics(five types of background diseases)at different stages,the syndromes are divided demonstratively.Through the construction of a modern diagnosis and treatment system of TCM epidemics,the basic theoretical concepts and basic diag-nosis and treatment strategies of epidemics can be clarified,various new and emerging infectious diseases can be actively responded to,and a diagnosis and treatment plan for a new and emerging infectious disease can be quickly constructed.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar crop. Biotic and abiotic stresses such as diseases, cold, and drought are major factors limiting sugarcane production. β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), a member of the pathogenesis-related protein family, plays an essential role not only in the plant defenses against pathogens but also in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. To systematically investigate the sugarcane β-1,3-glucanase gene family, 132 glycoside hydrolase (GH) 17 family members were identified in the genomes of the sugarcane wild species Saccharum spontaneum 'Np-X', the tropical species S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', and the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570'. The results of the phylogenetic analysis categorized them into four subfamilies, of which subfamily Ⅳ had the largest proportion of members (102). The members of the sugarcane GH17 gene family contained five conserved motifs and 0-16 introns. The majority of the GH17 genes exhibited a genome-wide replication pattern, with 89.50% originating from S. spontaneum 'Np-X' and S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', while 58.10% of them in the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570' belonged to the discrete replication type. Four major classes of cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters, including the elements related to plant growth, development, and tissue-specific expression (14.21%), light-responsive elements (38.24%), biotic or abiotic stress-responsive elements (9.18%), and hormone-responsive elements (38.37%), which suggested that this gene family was involved in plant growth, development, hormone responses, and stress responses. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses showed that the sugarcane GH17 genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and were differentially expressed under low temperature, drought, and hormone treatments, as well as during the interactions between different sugarcane genotypes and Sporisorium scitamineum, suggesting their potential roles in plant defenses. In addition, some SsGlu genes (SsGlu5, SsGlu20, SsGlu21, SsGlu25, SsGlu28, and SsGlu39) were expected to serve as candidate stress-related genes. This study lays a foundation for further revealing the molecular mechanisms of the stress resistance of sugarcane via β-1,3-glucanase genes.
Saccharum/physiology* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase/metabolism* ; Multigene Family ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

Objective To investigate the role of scar epithelial cells and its potential molecular mechanisms in the efficacy of low-energy CO2 fractional laser treating post-burn scars.Methods The model of post-major burn scars on the back of rat was established.Three rats with post-major burn scars received 30 mJ low-energy CO2 fractional laser treatment to detect the activation of scar epidermal cells.Epidermal tissue of scars was isolated for RNA sequencing to screen activated pathways.Subsequently,18 rats with post-major burn scars were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=6):the control group without laser treatment,the laser group receiving 30 mJ CO2 fractional laser treatment,and the laser+inhibitor group receiving laser treatment and intra-scar injection of IWR-1(a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor),to verify the activation status and effects of the selected pathways.Hematoxylin-eosin staining,Masson staining,and Western blotting were used to detect the proliferation of epithelial cells and fibroblasts,the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway,as well as the improvement of scar profiles.Results After low-energy laser treatment,there was a significant increase in the number of Ki67-positive,proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)-positive,cytokeratin 19(CK19)-positive,and p63-positive cells in the scar epithelial tissue.RNA sequencing coupled with literature analysis identified Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a potential candidate pathway.In the confirmatory experiment,compared to the control group,the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated in scar epithelial cells in the laser group 5 d post-laser intervention.After 30 d laser intervention,dermal collagen exhibited a more loosened arrangement,with reduced dermal thickness and significantly less α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)-positive fibroblasts compared to the control group.CollagenⅠ,collagen Ⅲ,and the relative ratio of collagen Ⅰ to Ⅲ in the laser group were at a lower level than those in the control group.Administration of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor blocked the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway induced by low-energy laser,the proliferation of scar epithelial cells and the improvement of scar profiles.Conclusion Low-energy CO2 fractional laser treatment can activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway of scar epithelial cells,thereby activating epithelial cells and yielding significant scar improvements.