Objective:To evaluate the sample preparation proficiency and storage proficiency of 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing through simulated experiments, and to establish an assessment method for the quality comparability of biological samples.Methods:An exploratory research design was adopted. In November 2023, artificial composite serum quality control materials containing six recombinant human protein markers—recombinant human alanine aminotransferase (rhALT), recombinant human aspartate aminotransferase (rhAST), recombinant human creatine kinase (rhCK), recombinant human creatine kinase-MB (rhCK-MB), recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), and recombinant human troponin I (rhTNI)—were distributed to 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing City. Sample preparation and storage followed the standardized operating procedures. Proficiency differences were assessed through statistical analysis.Results:Three-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed all six protein markers showed a declining trend over storage time in ultra-low-temperature environments ( F values 11.68-4 179.66, all P<0.01). However, neither long-term/temporary refrigerator types ( F values 0.01-1.23, all P>0.05)nor placement locations within refrigerators significantly affected the stability of these six proteins ( F valus 0.03-1.47, all P>0.05). The biases in detection results for rhALT, rhAST, rhTNI, and rhBNP at different storage time points were within the allowable bias limits for each item, supporting their use as markers for protein stability in biobank samples. All 11 institutions passed the storage proficiency assessment. In the preparation proficiency assessment, deviations were observed in post-preparation sample results, with a notably high out-of-control rate for rhCK (36.36%). Conclusion:Sample preparation proficiency can serve as a quality control metric for clinical biobanks. Future external quality assessment systems for biobanks should focus on sample preparation rather than storage processes.

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation, while the mechanism of m⁶A in regulating mitosis remains underexplored. Here, we found that the total m⁶A modification level in cells increased during mitosis by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and m⁶A dot blot assays. Silencing methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) or METTL14 results in delayed mitosis, abnormal spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation defects by the immunofluorescence. By analyzing transcriptome-wide m⁶A targets in HeLa cells, we identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a key gene modified by m⁶A in regulating mitosis. Specifically, through immunoblotting and RNA pulldown, m⁶A modification inhibits PLK1 translation via YTH N⁶-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1, thus mediating cell cycle homeostasis. Demethylation of PLK1 mRNA leads to significant mitotic abnormalities. These findings highlight the critical role of m⁶A in regulating mitosis and the potential of m⁶A as a therapeutic target in proliferative diseases such as cancer.
Humans ; Polo-Like Kinase 1 ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitosis/physiology* ; HeLa Cells ; Adenosine/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the sample preparation proficiency and storage proficiency of 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing through simulated experiments, and to establish an assessment method for the quality comparability of biological samples.Methods:An exploratory research design was adopted. In November 2023, artificial composite serum quality control materials containing six recombinant human protein markers—recombinant human alanine aminotransferase (rhALT), recombinant human aspartate aminotransferase (rhAST), recombinant human creatine kinase (rhCK), recombinant human creatine kinase-MB (rhCK-MB), recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), and recombinant human troponin I (rhTNI)—were distributed to 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing City. Sample preparation and storage followed the standardized operating procedures. Proficiency differences were assessed through statistical analysis.Results:Three-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed all six protein markers showed a declining trend over storage time in ultra-low-temperature environments ( F values 11.68-4 179.66, all P<0.01). However, neither long-term/temporary refrigerator types ( F values 0.01-1.23, all P>0.05)nor placement locations within refrigerators significantly affected the stability of these six proteins ( F valus 0.03-1.47, all P>0.05). The biases in detection results for rhALT, rhAST, rhTNI, and rhBNP at different storage time points were within the allowable bias limits for each item, supporting their use as markers for protein stability in biobank samples. All 11 institutions passed the storage proficiency assessment. In the preparation proficiency assessment, deviations were observed in post-preparation sample results, with a notably high out-of-control rate for rhCK (36.36%). Conclusion:Sample preparation proficiency can serve as a quality control metric for clinical biobanks. Future external quality assessment systems for biobanks should focus on sample preparation rather than storage processes.

Objective:To detect the cystic fibrosis transmembrane transduction regulator(CFTR)gene mutations and congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens(CBAVD)susceptibility gene mutations in pa-tients with CBAVD,and to explore their association with the risk of CBAVD.Methods:Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing validation were conducted on the pathogenic genes CFTR,adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2(ADGRG2),sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit beta(SCNN1B),carbonic anhydrase 12(CA12),and solute carrier family 9 member A3(SLC9A3)in thirteen cases of isolated CBAVD patients.The polymorphic loci,intron and flanking sequences of CFTR gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)followed by Sanger sequencing.Bioinformatics methods were employed for conservative analysis and deleterious prediction of novel susceptibility gene mutations in CBAVD.Ge-netic analysis was performed on the pedigree of one out of thirteen patients with CBAVD to evaluate the risk of inheritance in offspring.Results:Exome sequencing revealed CFTR gene exon mutations in only six of the thirteen CBAVD patients,with six missense mutations c.2684G＞A(p.Ser895Asn),c.4056G＞C(p.Gln1352His),c.2812G＞(p.Val938Leu),c.3068T＞G(p.Ile1023Arg),c.374T＞C(p.Ile125Thr),c.1666A＞G(p.Ile556Val)),and one nonsense mutation(c.1657C＞T(p.Arg553Ter).Among these six patients,two also had the CFTR homozygous p.V470 site,additional-ly,mutations in CFTR gene exon regions were not detected in the remaining seven patients.Within the thirteen CBAVD patients,three carried the homozygous p.V470 polymorphic site,four carried the 5T al-lele,two carried the TG13 allele,and ten carried the c.-966T＞G site.Four CBAVD patients simulta-neously carried 2-3 of the aforementioned CFTR gene mutation sites.Susceptibility gene mutations in CBAVD among the thirteen patients included one ADGRG2 missense mutation c.2312A＞G(p.Asn771Ser),two SLC9A3 missense mutations c.2395T＞C(p.Cys799Arg),c.493G＞A(p.Val165Ile),one SCNN1B missense mutation c.1514G＞A(p.Arg505His),and one CA12 missense mutation c.1061C＞T(p.Ala354Val).Notably,the SLC9A3 gene c.493 G＞A(p.Val165Ile)mutation site was first identi-fied in CBAVD patients.The five mutations exhibited an extremely low population mutation frequency in the gnomAD database,classifying them as rare mutations.Predictions from Mutation Taster and Poly-phen-2 software indicated that the harmfulness level of the SLC9A3 gene c.493G＞A(p.Val165Ile)site and the SCNN1B gene c.1514G＞A(p.Arg505His)site were disease causing and probably damaging.The genetic analysis of one pedigree revealed that the c.1657C＞T(p.Arg553Ter)mutation in the proband was a de novo mutation,as neither the proband's father nor mother carried this mutation.The proband and his spouse conceived a daughter through assisted reproductive technology,and the daughter inherited the proband's pathogenic mutation c.1657C＞T(p.Arg553Ter).Conclusion:CFTR gene mutations remain the leading cause of CBAVD in Chinese patients;however,the distribution and fre-quency of mutations differ from data reported in other domestic and international studies,highlighting the need to expand the CFTR mutation spectrum in Chinese CBAVD patients.The susceptibility genes ADGRG2,SLC9A3,SCNN1B,and CA12 may explain some cases of CBAVD without CFTR mutations.Given the lack of specific clinical manifestations in CBAVD patients,it is recommended that clinicians conduct further physical examinations and consider scrotal or transrectal ultrasound before making a defi-nitive diagnosis.It is advisable to employ CFTR gene mutation testing in preconception genetic screening to reduce the risk of CBAVD and cystic fibrosis in offspring.

BACKGROUND: Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is a predictor of autonomic system dysfunction, and is considered as a potential mechanism of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) induced by exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM METHODS: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies till November 1, 2019 was conducted to evaluate the acute effect of exposure to ambient PM RESULTS: A total of 33 panel studies were included in our meta-analysis, with 16 studies conducted in North America, 12 studies in Asia, and 5 studies in Europe. The pooled results showed a 10 μg/m CONCLUSION Short-term exposure to PM
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Air Pollution/analysis* ; Female ; Heart Rate/drug effects* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Young Adult

The main purpose of this study is to observe and analyze the characteristics and the clinical significance of long-term echocardiogram data in patients after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation. Fifty-five cases were recruited over 5 years after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation, with complete echocardiogram examination profiles. The 55 subjects were divided into predominate aortic stenosis group and predominate aortic regurgitation group, based on preoperative examinations. And another way of division was also carried out that according to the effective orifice area index (EOAI), the subjects were divided into three groups, i. e. , severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) group, moderate PPM group, and non PPM group. Characteristics of long-term echocardiogram data of the subjects were analyzed. Patients with aortic stenosis showed significantly decreased thickness of intraventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall about half a year after operation (P < 0.05). Half a year after operation, patients with aortic regurgitation showed decreased left ventricular internal dimension diastole and left ventricular internal dimension systole, and increased ejection fraction (P < 0.05). Differences in mean aortic valve pressure gradient, forward blood flow across the aortic valves, and ejection fraction were not significant among those with severe PPM, moderate PPM, and non PPM groups (P > 0.05). Number of cases of ascending aorta dimension increased as time goes on and pathogenesis of other valve diseases. A conclusion could be drawn that the heart function of patients with aortic valve disease could be improved after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation, but pathologies in other valves and ascending aorta might be increased, and therefore periodical postoperative echocardiogram evaluation with long-term pharmaceutical therapy could be necessary.
Aortic Valve Stenosis ; surgery ; Echocardiography ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Heart Ventricles ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Postoperative Period ; Systole ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To screen and identify protein interacted with enterovirus 71 (EV71)3A protein by means of T7-phage display system.Methods The prokaryotic expression vector of 3A protein was constructed for expressing and purifying 3A pro-tein.With 3A protein as the target protein,the T7-phage display system was adopted to screen the human hepatocyte cDNA library. The screened products were performed the DNA sequence analysis and the homologous research.Results 3A protein was expressed and purified,after 4 rounds of biopanning,37 positive clones were selected.The inserted fragments were amplified by PCR using specific T7 primer.The products were sequenced,2 proteins were identified to interact with 3A protein by homologous analysis. Conclusion Trough the T7 phage display system,two proteins interacted with 3A are obtained.The possible function of 3A protein can be speculated by researching the function of these two proteins,which lays the foundation for the further studying the pathogen-ic mechanism of EV71.

Teaching healthy lifestyle in combination with physiology is hardly practiced in schools of medicine. Individual lifestyle factor accounts for 60% among the factors that lead to dis-eases. Physiology contains the basic theories for health knowledge. Therefore, during physiology teach-ing , healthy lifestyle was introduced by combining such contents of physiology as digestion and absorption , energy metabolism balance and emotional physiological reaction with four “health corner-stones” such as health diet, regular physical activity, psychological balance, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol. This teaching mode has widened the teaching ideas, which has not only in-creased the students' interest and significance in physiology learning, but also promoted them to de-velop good healthy lifestyle.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with neurological complications. Methods Five with neurological complications out of 31 patients with confirmed AIDS in Shanghai area from 1992 to 2001 were analyzed. Results Of the five cases, there were one complicated with vacuolar myelopathy, one vacuolar myelopathy accompanied with dementia, one cerebral tuberculoma accompanied with dementia, one cerebral infarction accompanied with symptomatic epilepsia and trigeminal neuralgia, one polyneuropathy. Two of the vacuolar myelopathy are those showing first occurring manifestations. Conclusion AIDS patients are found at high risk of neurological complications, of which vacuolar myelopathy and AIDS related dementia are more common. If young patients who suddenly suffered from dementia, especially in patients accompanied with opportunistic infections, AIDS should be considered. In these cases serum HIV antibodies should be checked.