Objective:To study the etiological relationship between Yunnan sudden unexplained death (hereinafter referred to as YNSUD) and the desmosomal protein gene mutation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).Methods:From September 2019 to August 2020, a cross-sectional survey method was used to select 9 key counties (cities) of YNSUD in Yunnan Province as survey sites. Autopsy cardiac blood samples of YNSUD cases ( n = 11) were collected, and peripheral venous blood samples of co-occurring case ( n = 1), case relatives ( n = 128), and control population ( n = 60) were collected. Genomic DNA from blood was extracted. After PCR amplification, 97 exons of 5 ARVC desmosomal protein genes, including plakophilin-2 (PKP2), desmoglein-2 (DSG2), desmocollin-2 (DSC2), desmoplakin (DSP), and junction plakoglobin (JUP) were sequenced by Sanger method, and the gene mutation was analyzed. Results:Compared with the control population, YNSUD cases, co-occurring case and case relatives carried 52 gene mutation sites in 36 exons of the ARVC desmosomal protein gene, with a total mutation rate of 37.11% (36/97). Among them, there were 21 in DSP gene, 10 in DSG2 gene, 8 in PKP2 gene, 8 in DSC2 gene, and 5 in JUP gene. YNSUD cases, co-occurring case and case relatives carried two same gene mutation sites: DSG2 gene exon 15 c.3321 T>C synonymous mutation and JUP gene exon 3 c.213 T>C synonymous mutation.Conclusions:The mutation rate of ARVC desmosomal protein gene is relatively high in the population of YNSUD. The two same gene mutation sites (DSG2 gene c.3321 T>C and JUP gene c.213 T>C) carried by YNSUD cases, co-occurring case and case relatives may be associated with the pathogenesis of YNSUD.

Objective To investigate the effects of Amanita caojizong on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax,thereby providing experimental evidence for the prevention and treatment of Amanita caojizong poisoning.Methods Mouse cardiomyocytes(HL-1 cells)cultured in vitro were divided into an experimental group(treated with Amanita caojizong extract)and a control group(treated with PBS).After treatment with Amanita caojizong extract,apoptosis of HL-1 cells was observed using TUNEL staining,and the protein expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase-3,and Cleaved Caspase-3 in HL-1 cardiomyocytes were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the TUNEL staining showed significantly increased apoptotic fluorescence intensity in the Amanita caojizong extract-treated group.The protein expressions of Bax,Caspase-3,and Cleaved Caspase-3 in HL-1 cells in the Amanita caojizong-treated group were upregulated,while the expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated.Conclusion Amanita caojizong can promote apoptosis of mouse cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism may be associated with the Bcl-2/Bax pathway.

Objective:To analyze the infection status of Coxsackievirus B group (CVB) in regions affected by sudden unexplained death in Yunnan (referred to as sudden death in Yunnan), and to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective prevention and control strategies.Methods:A cross-sectional survey method was employed. The population from 16 counties (cities, districts, referred to as counties) affected by sudden death in Yunnan Province from 2002 to 2022 and the population from one non-affected county in 2021 and 2022 (control population) were classified into cases of sudden death in Yunnan (7 cases), co-occurring cases (29 cases), high-risk population (1 303 cases), and control population (270 cases). Blood samples were collected from these populations. By using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CVB immunoglobulin M (CVB-IgM) antibodies in the acute-phase serum samples of the population in the affected areas were detected, and CVB immunoglobulin G (CVB-IgG) antibodies in the convalescent-phase serum samples were detected. Both types of detections were carried out on the control population, and the test results were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 609 serum samples were tested, including 1 339 samples from the population in the affected areas (923 acute-phase samples and 416 convalescent-phase samples) and 270 samples from the control population. Among the 16 affected counties, positive CVB-IgM antibody results were detected in 9 counties. The overall positive rate of the population in the affected areas was higher than that of the control population [7.80% (72/923) vs. 4.44% (12/270), χ 2 = 40.78, P < 0.001]. The positive rates of the high-risk population in Dayao County and Lufeng City were both higher than that of the control population [(22.22% (22/99), 10.92% (25/229) vs. 4.44% (12/270), χ 2 = 27.37, 7.56, P < 0.05]. Positive CVB-IgG antibody results were detected in 7 counties. The overall positive rate of the population in the affected areas was higher than that of the control population [(4.09% (17/416) vs. 0.74% (2/270), χ 2 = 6.81, P = 0.009]. The positive rates of CVB-IgM and CVB-IgG antibodies in the population of the affected areas in Dayao County [22.22% (22/99), 9.80% (5/51)] were both higher than those of the control population ( P < 0.05). Among the five affected villages in Dayao County, the positive rates of CVB-IgM and CVB-IgG antibodies in the population of Aji Ju Village were the highest [25.49% (13/51), 3/13]. Conclusions:The positive rates of both CVB-IgM and CVB-IgG antibodies in the population of the areas affected by sudden death in Yunnan were higher than those of the control population, indicating that CVB infection occurred during the sudden death events in the above-mentioned affected areas.

Objective:To analyze the infection status of Coxsackievirus B group (CVB) in regions affected by sudden unexplained death in Yunnan (referred to as sudden death in Yunnan), and to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective prevention and control strategies.Methods:A cross-sectional survey method was employed. The population from 16 counties (cities, districts, referred to as counties) affected by sudden death in Yunnan Province from 2002 to 2022 and the population from one non-affected county in 2021 and 2022 (control population) were classified into cases of sudden death in Yunnan (7 cases), co-occurring cases (29 cases), high-risk population (1 303 cases), and control population (270 cases). Blood samples were collected from these populations. By using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CVB immunoglobulin M (CVB-IgM) antibodies in the acute-phase serum samples of the population in the affected areas were detected, and CVB immunoglobulin G (CVB-IgG) antibodies in the convalescent-phase serum samples were detected. Both types of detections were carried out on the control population, and the test results were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 609 serum samples were tested, including 1 339 samples from the population in the affected areas (923 acute-phase samples and 416 convalescent-phase samples) and 270 samples from the control population. Among the 16 affected counties, positive CVB-IgM antibody results were detected in 9 counties. The overall positive rate of the population in the affected areas was higher than that of the control population [7.80% (72/923) vs. 4.44% (12/270), χ 2 = 40.78, P < 0.001]. The positive rates of the high-risk population in Dayao County and Lufeng City were both higher than that of the control population [(22.22% (22/99), 10.92% (25/229) vs. 4.44% (12/270), χ 2 = 27.37, 7.56, P < 0.05]. Positive CVB-IgG antibody results were detected in 7 counties. The overall positive rate of the population in the affected areas was higher than that of the control population [(4.09% (17/416) vs. 0.74% (2/270), χ 2 = 6.81, P = 0.009]. The positive rates of CVB-IgM and CVB-IgG antibodies in the population of the affected areas in Dayao County [22.22% (22/99), 9.80% (5/51)] were both higher than those of the control population ( P < 0.05). Among the five affected villages in Dayao County, the positive rates of CVB-IgM and CVB-IgG antibodies in the population of Aji Ju Village were the highest [25.49% (13/51), 3/13]. Conclusions:The positive rates of both CVB-IgM and CVB-IgG antibodies in the population of the areas affected by sudden death in Yunnan were higher than those of the control population, indicating that CVB infection occurred during the sudden death events in the above-mentioned affected areas.

Objective:To observe and analyze the ocular clinical features and pathogenic genes of horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS).Methods:A pedigree study was conducted.Two families with HGPPS diagnosed by ophthalmology examination at Henan Children's Hospital from November 2023 to April 2024 were included, with 3 people from two generations in each family.Medical history and family history of the subjects were inquired.Vision acuity, diopter, anterior segment, intraocular pressure, wide-angle laser scanning ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, visual evoked potential (VEP), electroretinogram (ERG), ocular B-ultrasound, full spine AP+ lateral view, orbit+ skull+ cervical spine+ thoracic spine+ lumbosacral spine MRI plain scan were performed on the subjects.Whole genomic DNA was extracted from 2 ml of peripheral venous blood collected from the subjects, and gene sequencing was performed using whole exome sequencing (WES) technology.Suspicious pathogenic variant loci were verified by Sanger sequencing, and the pathogenicity of gene variant loci was analyzed according to the ACMG standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Children's Hospital (No.2024-KY-0024).All subjects and guardians signed informed consent forms and were informed of relevant matters before genetic testing.Results:The proband from family 1 was male, 3 years and 2 months old.At the age of 6 months, he was found to have head tilted to the left with a right scoliosis of the spine centered on T11-12 and no obvious abnormalities on VEP and ERG examinations.The proband from family 2 was male, 3 years and 4 months old, with a left scoliosis of the spine centered on T12.Both probands developed horizontal fixation paralysis, unable to rotate eye outward, slightly limited inward rotation, left eye hypertropia, mild horizontal nystagmus, normal vertical eye movement, backward development of major movements, and normal vision, anterior segment and fundus.MRI examination showed that the medulla oblongata was butterfly shaped, and a brainstem fissure could be seen in the center of the medulla oblongata.The genetic testing showed that the proband from family 1 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1054delC/p.Gln352Serfs *90 (M1) in exon 7 and c. 1219G>T/p.Gly407Cys (M2) in exon 8 of ROBO3 gene.The father of the proband carried M1 and the mother of the proband carried M2.The proband from family 2 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1888C>T/p.R630X (M3) in exon 12 and c. 2684C>A/p.A895E (M4) in exon 17 of ROBO3 gene.M1 and M3 were possible pathogenic, and M2 and M4 were of unknown clinical significance, and prediction software predicted M2 and M4 were harmful variations. Conclusions:The main clinical features of two HGPPS pedigree are horizontal fixation paralysis and progressive scoliosis, accompanied by nystagmus and strabismus.MRI shows brainstem fissure in the central medullary area.Four variants are novel variants, which increases the variation spectrum of ROBO3 gene.

Objective:To observe and analyze the ocular clinical features and pathogenic genes of horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS).Methods:A pedigree study was conducted.Two families with HGPPS diagnosed by ophthalmology examination at Henan Children's Hospital from November 2023 to April 2024 were included, with 3 people from two generations in each family.Medical history and family history of the subjects were inquired.Vision acuity, diopter, anterior segment, intraocular pressure, wide-angle laser scanning ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, visual evoked potential (VEP), electroretinogram (ERG), ocular B-ultrasound, full spine AP+ lateral view, orbit+ skull+ cervical spine+ thoracic spine+ lumbosacral spine MRI plain scan were performed on the subjects.Whole genomic DNA was extracted from 2 ml of peripheral venous blood collected from the subjects, and gene sequencing was performed using whole exome sequencing (WES) technology.Suspicious pathogenic variant loci were verified by Sanger sequencing, and the pathogenicity of gene variant loci was analyzed according to the ACMG standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Children's Hospital (No.2024-KY-0024).All subjects and guardians signed informed consent forms and were informed of relevant matters before genetic testing.Results:The proband from family 1 was male, 3 years and 2 months old.At the age of 6 months, he was found to have head tilted to the left with a right scoliosis of the spine centered on T11-12 and no obvious abnormalities on VEP and ERG examinations.The proband from family 2 was male, 3 years and 4 months old, with a left scoliosis of the spine centered on T12.Both probands developed horizontal fixation paralysis, unable to rotate eye outward, slightly limited inward rotation, left eye hypertropia, mild horizontal nystagmus, normal vertical eye movement, backward development of major movements, and normal vision, anterior segment and fundus.MRI examination showed that the medulla oblongata was butterfly shaped, and a brainstem fissure could be seen in the center of the medulla oblongata.The genetic testing showed that the proband from family 1 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1054delC/p.Gln352Serfs *90 (M1) in exon 7 and c. 1219G>T/p.Gly407Cys (M2) in exon 8 of ROBO3 gene.The father of the proband carried M1 and the mother of the proband carried M2.The proband from family 2 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1888C>T/p.R630X (M3) in exon 12 and c. 2684C>A/p.A895E (M4) in exon 17 of ROBO3 gene.M1 and M3 were possible pathogenic, and M2 and M4 were of unknown clinical significance, and prediction software predicted M2 and M4 were harmful variations. Conclusions:The main clinical features of two HGPPS pedigree are horizontal fixation paralysis and progressive scoliosis, accompanied by nystagmus and strabismus.MRI shows brainstem fissure in the central medullary area.Four variants are novel variants, which increases the variation spectrum of ROBO3 gene.

Objective To investigate the effects of Amanita caojizong on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax,thereby providing experimental evidence for the prevention and treatment of Amanita caojizong poisoning.Methods Mouse cardiomyocytes(HL-1 cells)cultured in vitro were divided into an experimental group(treated with Amanita caojizong extract)and a control group(treated with PBS).After treatment with Amanita caojizong extract,apoptosis of HL-1 cells was observed using TUNEL staining,and the protein expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase-3,and Cleaved Caspase-3 in HL-1 cardiomyocytes were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the TUNEL staining showed significantly increased apoptotic fluorescence intensity in the Amanita caojizong extract-treated group.The protein expressions of Bax,Caspase-3,and Cleaved Caspase-3 in HL-1 cells in the Amanita caojizong-treated group were upregulated,while the expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated.Conclusion Amanita caojizong can promote apoptosis of mouse cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism may be associated with the Bcl-2/Bax pathway.

Objective:This study investigated the awareness and consumption of Trogia venenata among populations in regions affected by Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD). The findings aim to support etiological research on YUSD and contribute to the formulation of preventive measures against Trogia venenata poisoning. Methods:This study was a case-control study. From 2018 to 2021, surveys were conducted in 90 villages across 25 counties within YUSD-affected areas in Yunnan Province. Households with YUSD cases were designated as case households, whereas households without YUSD cases served as controls, ande were selected through convenience sampling at a 3:1 ratio. An enhanced questionnaire was designed to collect information on the consumption of Trogia venenata, and symptoms following consumption. Frequency data were presented as percentages, and group comparisons were conducted using χ 2 tests or Fisher’s exact tests. Results:A total of 711 questionnaires were collected (response rate: 100%), comprising 175 case households and 536 control households. Trogia venenata was present in 80.82% of the villages surveyed. Among the 711 households, 15.89% reported consuming Trogia venenata, primarily through stir-frying (53.10%), followed by boiling (29.20%), boiling and stir-frying (15.93%), and steaming (1.77%). Most households (94.69%) consumed fresh fruiting bodies, with 69.02% consuming them fewer than three times annually. The consumption rates were higher among the case households than among the control households. Of the 113 households with a history of Trogia venenata consumption, 35.40% reported symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and limb soreness. The proportions of affected families in each group were compared according to their source, cooking method, fruiting body status and consumption frequency. The proportion of affected families with high consumption frequency (≥3 times/year) was higher than that with low consumption frequency (<3 times/year). Among 421 YUSD cases, 63 cases (14.96%) had a history of Trogia venenata consumption before death, with 43 cases showing symptoms within the longest known latency period (14 d) for poisoning by this mushroom. Conclusions:Trogia venenata is prevalent in 80.82% of YUSD-affected regions, with 16.67% of the population reporting its consumption, predominantly as fresh fruiting bodies prepared by stir-frying or boiling. Confirmed Trogia venenata consumption was identified in 14.96% of YUSD cases, suggesting that mushroom poisoning is a significant risk factor for YUSD. Ongoing health education and interventions are critical for mitigating the risk of Trogia venenata poisoning.

Objective:To study the etiological relationship between Yunnan sudden unexplained death (hereinafter referred to as YNSUD) and the desmosomal protein gene mutation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).Methods:From September 2019 to August 2020, a cross-sectional survey method was used to select 9 key counties (cities) of YNSUD in Yunnan Province as survey sites. Autopsy cardiac blood samples of YNSUD cases ( n = 11) were collected, and peripheral venous blood samples of co-occurring case ( n = 1), case relatives ( n = 128), and control population ( n = 60) were collected. Genomic DNA from blood was extracted. After PCR amplification, 97 exons of 5 ARVC desmosomal protein genes, including plakophilin-2 (PKP2), desmoglein-2 (DSG2), desmocollin-2 (DSC2), desmoplakin (DSP), and junction plakoglobin (JUP) were sequenced by Sanger method, and the gene mutation was analyzed. Results:Compared with the control population, YNSUD cases, co-occurring case and case relatives carried 52 gene mutation sites in 36 exons of the ARVC desmosomal protein gene, with a total mutation rate of 37.11% (36/97). Among them, there were 21 in DSP gene, 10 in DSG2 gene, 8 in PKP2 gene, 8 in DSC2 gene, and 5 in JUP gene. YNSUD cases, co-occurring case and case relatives carried two same gene mutation sites: DSG2 gene exon 15 c.3321 T>C synonymous mutation and JUP gene exon 3 c.213 T>C synonymous mutation.Conclusions:The mutation rate of ARVC desmosomal protein gene is relatively high in the population of YNSUD. The two same gene mutation sites (DSG2 gene c.3321 T>C and JUP gene c.213 T>C) carried by YNSUD cases, co-occurring case and case relatives may be associated with the pathogenesis of YNSUD.

Objective:To study the expression and clinical significance of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) in the serum of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).Methods:The study recruited 131 patients with APS, 48 patients with other autoimmune diseases (8 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 8 with osteoarthritis, and 32 with systemic erythematous sores), and 49 healthy people were recruited. The patients were admitted to Peking University People's Hospital during January 2019 to June 2022. A1AT expression in the serum of patients with APS and its clinical significance were investigated. Blood samples were collected and the concentration of A1AT in the samples was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between A1AT and clinical and laboratory parameters of APS patients was analyzed. Statistical analysis and graphing were performed using GraphPadPrism 10.1.2. The categorical variables were subjected to the χ2 test, and the continuous variables were subjected to the normal distribution test. If the sample were normally distributed, the independent sample t-test (with homogeneity of variance) or the Welch's t-test (with heterogeneity of variance) was used for comparison between the 2 groups, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparison among multiple groups; Otherwise, and the variables were described as M( Q1, Q3), the Mann Whitney U-test was used for comparison between 2 groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis U-test was used for comparison among multiple groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for multiple comparisons. If the samples were normally distributed, Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation, otherwise, Pearson correlation analysis was used. Results:The serum A1AT concentrations were significantly higher in APS patients than in patients with other autoimmune diseases [2 048.0(670.6, 2 904.0) μg/ml vs. 1 099.0(0, 1 855.0) μg/ml, U=1 990, P<0.001] and healthy people [2 048.0(670.6, 2 904.0) μg/ml vs. 739.5 (0, 1 232.0) μg/ml, U=1 485, P<0.001]. No statistically significant difference was observed between patients with other autoimmune diseases and healthy people [1 099.0(0, 1 855.0) μg/ml vs. 739.5 (0, 1 232.0) μg/ml, U=924, P=0.060]. Mean serum A1AT concentrations were also higher in patients with both a history of adverse pregnancy and thrombosis than in those with morbid pregnancy only [(3 212 ±1 744)μg/ml vs. (1 965 ±1 500) μg/ml, t=2.27, P=0.026] and thrombosis only [(3 212 ±1 744)μg/ml vs. (1 963 ±1745)μg/ml, t=2.01, P=0.048]. Mean serum A1AT concentrations were higher in patients with both arterial and venous thrombosis than in those with only venous thrombosis [(3 390 ±2 286) μg/ml vs. (2 148 ±1 648) μg/ml, t=3.04, P=0.004]. The mean A1AT concentration was higher in patients with recurrent thrombosis than in patients with single thrombosis [(2 709 ±1 941) μg/ml vs. (1 805 ±1 627) μg/ml, t=2.10, P=0.040]. Using the 95% upper limit of A1AT concentration in healthy controls (1 066 μg/ml) as a cut-off value, the risk of recurrent thrombosis was higher in A1AT-positive than negative TAPS patients [51.0%(25/49) vs. 26.1%(6/23), χ2=3.97, P=0.046]. In terms of laboratory indicators, there was a significant positive correlation between serum A1AT concentration and ESR level ( r=0.28, P=0.045), a significant negative correlation with C4 level ( r=-0.24, P=0.025). There was a significant positive correlation with fibrinogen (FIB) concentration( r=0.25, P=0.027). A1AT was an effective diagnostic marker of APS [AUC(95% CI)=0.769(0.699, 0.847), P<0.001], with a sensitivity of 71.8%, a specificity of 73.7%, and Youden index of 0.452. Conclusion:A1AT was is significantly elevated in the serum of patients with APS and may be associated with the severity of thrombotic event.