OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted chromosomal karyotype analysis in the diagnosis of prenatal chromosomal mosaicism. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 172 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis at the Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2019 and December 2024. All cases whose fetuses were diagnosed with chromosomal mosaicism via karyotype analysis and stratified into two groups based on the analytical software employed: the conventional analysis group (n = 70), which utilized Leica analysis software for karyotype image recognition and cell counting; and the AI-assisted analysis group (n = 102), which utilized AI-assisted software for the same procedures. The clinical performance of AI-assisted karyotype analysis in diagnosing chromosomal mosaicism was comprehensively evaluated by comparing the types of mosaic karyotypes, distribution of mosaic ratios, and verification outcomes of different detection modalities between the two groups. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No.: 2024-406-01). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in baseline characteristics (maternal age, gestational week, and indications for prenatal diagnosis) between the two groups. Regarding the detection efficacy for numerical and structural mosaicisms, no significant difference was found in the detection of numerical mosaicism. However, the conventional analysis group exhibited a significantly higher detection rate of autosomal structural mosaicism compared to the AI-assisted group (11.43% vs. 0.98%, P < 0.05). Numerical mosaicism cases were further verified using copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The AI-assisted group demonstrated a significantly lower inconsistency rate (5.56% vs. 20.41%, P < 0.05) compared to the conventional group. For low-proportion (< 10%) chromosomal mosaicism, the AI-assisted group had a significantly lower detection rate (13.25% vs. 29.69%, P < 0.05). Subsequent validation of low-proportion mosaicism by CNV-seq and/or FISH showed a higher consistency rate in the AI-assisted group (81.82% vs. 54.55%), though the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.360). CONCLUSION For the karyotyping analysis of prenatal chromosomal mosaicism, AI-assisted karyotype analysis shows high accuracy and consistency in identifying numerical chromosomal mosaicism, particularly in reducing the detection of low-proportion (< 10%) mosaicism while improving verification accuracy. AI-assisted analysis can significantly improve the detection accuracy of numerical mosaicism and mitigate the risk of misclassification for low-proportion (< 10%) mosaicism, thereby providing more precise clinical evidence for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal mosaicisms.
Humans ; Female ; Mosaicism ; Pregnancy ; Karyotyping/methods* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Amniocentesis

The cardioprotective effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDIs) are at odds with the deleterious effects of HDAC depletion. Here, we use HDAC3 as a prototype HDAC to address this contradiction. We show that adult-onset cardiac-specific depletion of HDAC3 in mice causes cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction on a high-fat diet (HFD), excluding developmental disruption as a major reason for the contradiction. Genetically abolishing HDAC3 enzymatic activity without affecting its protein level does not cause cardiac dysfunction on HFD. HDAC3 depletion causes robust downregulation of lipid oxidation/bioenergetic genes and upregulation of antioxidant/anti-apoptotic genes. In contrast, HDAC3 enzyme activity abolishment causes much milder changes in far fewer genes. The abnormal gene expression is cardiomyocyte-autonomous and can be rescued by an enzyme-dead HDAC3 mutant but not by an HDAC3 mutant (Δ33-70) that lacks interaction with the nuclear-envelope protein lamina-associated polypeptide 2β (LAP2β). Tethering LAP2β to the HDAC3 Δ33-70 mutant restored its ability to rescue gene expression. Finally, HDAC3 depletion, not loss of HDAC3 enzymatic activity, exacerbates cardiac contractile functions upon aortic constriction. These results suggest that the cardiac function of HDAC3 in adults is not attributable to its enzyme activity, which has implications for understanding the cardioprotective effects of HDIs.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis of a patient suspected for Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). METHODS: A adult male patient with aneurysmal dilation of the aortic root identified during the treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia at Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University in 2021 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient were retrospectively collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and his family members and subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by bioinformatic analysis, with a focus on the genes associated with hereditary aortic aneurysms. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing. The online SpliceAI software was used for the prediction of protein function. The results, combined with information from public databases, were used to classify the pathogenicity of the candidate variant according to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Anzhen Hospital (Ethics No. 2023163X). RESULTS: Imaging analysis revealed that the patient had aneurysmal dilation of the aortic root. Based on his clinical features and past history, a provisional diagnosis of LDS was established. WES revealed that the patient had harbored a heterozygous splice site variant c.206+2T>G in the SMAD3 gene (NM_005902). The variant was not reported in public databases and was predicted to be pathogenic by SpliceAI. Sanger sequencing showed that the variant was also present in the proband's mother, sister, nephew, and daughter, but not in his father. Based on the guidelines from the ACMG, the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting). CONCLUSION The heterozygous splice site variant c.206+2T>G of the SMAD3 gene probably underlay the disease in this patient. Above discovery has enriched the mutational spectrum of LDS, which may facilitate delineation of the genotype-phenotype correlation and provide a basis for further risk stratification and personalized treatment of LDS.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Exome Sequencing ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Smad3 Protein/genetics*

Objective　To study the efficacy and safety of hard channel puncture drainage in the treatment of multiple septated chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) in the elderly by comparison with drilling drainage. Methods Twenty-one over-80-year-old patients with unilateral multiple septated CSDH were treated with drilling drainage in 9 cases (drilling group) and hard channel puncture drainage in 12 cases (hard channel group). The operation time, hematoma clearance rate in 1 week after operation, postoperative complications and hematoma recurrence in 3 months after operation were compared between the two groups. Results　The two groups of patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time ranged from 50 to 95 min with a mean of (78±14) min in the drilling group and 22 to 40 min with a mean of (29±5) min in the hard channel group. The difference was significant (P<0.05); One week after operation, the hematoma clearance rate ranged from 92% to100% with a mean of 96%±3% in the drilling group and 90% to 100% with a mean of 94%±3% in the hard channel group. The difference was not significant (P>0.05). Postoperative complications: there was no epilepsy in the drilling group, and 1 epilepsy in the hard channel group (8.3%). The difference was not significant (P>0.05). There were no other complications such as intracranial space occupying gas, brain parenchyma injury, intracranial infection in both groups. Hematoma recurrence 3 months after operation: there was no recurrence in the drilling group and 3 cases (25%) in the hard channel group. The difference was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusions　Hard channel puncture drainage is safe and effective in the treatment of elderly multiple septated CSDH. Compared with drilling drainage, it has shorter operation time, less trauma and is more suitable for patients with important organ diseases.

Objective To compare the effects of Baimai ointment and baclofen in stroke patients with spas-ticity.Methods 84 cases accompanied by limb spasticity in stroke patients by digital table were randomly divided into Baimai ointment group and baclofen group,42 cases in each group.The Baimai ointment group were treated with Baimai ointment on the spastic limbs,the baclofen group received oral baclofen tablets 30 -75mg/days for 2 weeks, 4 weeks,8 weeks.The curative effects of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.Results Before and after treatment in the two groups,the levels of spasticity,pain and activities of daily living (ADL)differences were statistically significant and Baimai ointment in the treatment of spasm.After 4 weeks and 8 weeks,the Ashworth score of the Baimai ointment group were (1.59 ±0.46)points,(0.89 ±0.56)points,and those of baclofen group were (1.75 ±0.64)points,(1.45 ±0.48)points,the differences were statistically significant(t values were 2.916, 3.367,all P <0.05).After 2 weeks,4 weeks and 8 weeks,the VAS score of the Baimai ointment group were (2.72 ± 0.54)points,(2.02 ±0.24)points,(1.24 ±0.12)points,and baclofen group were (3.56 ±0.44)points,(3.15 ± 0.48)points,(2.58 ±0.26)points,the differences were statistically significant(t values were 2.975,3.359,5.416, all P <0.05),activities of daily living (ADL)was higher than that of the baclofen group.After 8 weeks,the MBI score of the Baimai ointment group was (64.46 ±10.78)points,and baclofen group was (50.74 ±9.18)points,the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (t values was 3.562,P <0.05).Conclusion Baimai ointment has the better antispasmodic effect than baclofen in patients with stroke.

Objective To explore the diagnostic significance of Xpert MTB/RIF in cerebrospinal fluid,and evaluate the application for early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis(TBM).Methods Sixty cases of TBM and 30 cases of non-TBM patients were selected as our subjects.Xpert MTB/RIF and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain were performed in cerebrospinal fluid.The detection rate of the system and the resistance of the patients were analyzed.Results Eleven cases were diagnosed as the positive cases in 60 cases with TBM,and 0 case was diagnosed as TBM in control group.Sensitivity and specificity of Xpert with TBM were 18.33％ and 100％,respectively.The difference of the two groups was statistically significant (P =0.014).The positive rate of definite group was 23.68％(9 cases),18.18％(2 cases) in probable group and 0％ in possible group,and the difference of the three groups was statistically significant(x2 =3.070,P＞0.05).The resistance rate was 36.36％ (4/11).Sensitivity of the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staín was 63.33％ (38/60).Eleven cases were detected positive by Xpert MTB/RIF,9 cases were positive with modified acid fast staining,and the positive rate was 18.33％,and the difference of the two methods was statistically significant (P =0.000).Conclusion Xpert MTB/RIF test is simple and rapid diagnostic method.The combination of Xpert MTB/RIF and modified ZiehlNeelsen stain will improve the efficiency of the early diagnosis of TBM.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of mycoplasma pneumonia with pulmonary atelectasis and lavage interventional effect through fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children.Methods During Jun 2012 to Apr 2013,fifty-three children diagnosed of mycoplasma pneumonia with pulmonary atelectasis who received fiberoptic bronchoscopy were enrolled as the experimental group.Thirty-five children diagnosed of mycoplasma pneumonia without pulmonary atelectasis were chosen as control group.According to the lavage interventional time of fiberoptic bronchoscopy,we divided the patients in the experimental group into two groups,the early group and late group.Clinical data and laboratory finds were collected and analyzed.Results The duration of fever,hospital stay and C-reactive protein (CRP) of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The location of pulmonary atelectasis in the experimental group were usually in the right middle lobe (18 cases,33.9％).Under fiberoptic bronchoscope,all patients had obviously bronchial mucosa congestive edema.Some of them had follicular hyperplasia (9 cases,17.0％),mucosal erosion (3 cases,5.7％),mucus plug formation (7 cases,13.2％) and poor ventilation of segmental bronchi (4 cases,7.5 ％).Neutrophils (43 cases,81.1％) increased and phagocytic cells (31 cases,58.5％) dereased obviously in bronchoalevolar lavage fluid.After treatment in the experimental group,52 children (98.1％) got complete recruitment of atelectasis.The average duration of fever and hospital stay of the early group were significantly shoter than those of late group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Children diagnosed of mycoplasma pneumonia with pulmonary atelectasis had longer fever duration and higher CRP level.Bronchoscopic interventional therapy promoted the recovery of pulmonary atelectasis.Using bronchoscop early in shorten the duration of fever and hospitalization in children diagnosed of mycoplasm pneumonia with pulmonary atelectasis.

Objective To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the intron 1 of thyroid stimnulating hormone receptor gene (TSHR) and Graves' disease (GD) in the Chinese Han population from Linyi city,Shandong Province.Methods A total of 1759 GD patients and 1740 control subjects were recruited for genotyping in TSHR intron 1 with genome-wide association study (GWAS) and Taqman probe technique.At the same time,serum thyroid hormone and TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) levels of patients were determined.Results Five SNPs were selected for further replication.The rs12101261 _T was significantly associated with GD risk ( OR=1.257,95％CI 1.137-1.390,P =8.23 × 10-6 ). Logistic regression identified that rs12101261 was an independent susceptibility locus of GD ( P=1.61 × 10-3 ).Furthermore,rs12101261 _T was strongly associated with GD ( OR =1.317,95％ CI 1.171-1.481,P=4.14× 10-4 ) in TRAb positive patients,but no association in TRAb negative patients ( OR=1.056,95％ CI 0.892-1.251,P=0.524 ).Serum TRAb concentration showed remarkable difference among three genotype groups of rs12101261.Conclusions Five SNPs in TSHR intron 1 are associated with GD.rs12101261 contributes to increased GD risk independently and is associated with serum TRAb level.

OBJECTIVE To study the incidence rate of nosocomial infection and risk factors in our Cancer Center during 2006-2007.METHODS All the reported cases of nosocomial infection from 2006 to 2007 in our Center were analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS From the 50011 hospitalized patients,952 were infected.The infection rate of the hospital was 1.9%,with the case infection rate of 2.12%.Infection usually occurred at the respiratory tract,gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity,with the constituent ratio of 48.6%,34.12% and 13.22%,respectively.Cancer,chemotherapy,radiotherapy and surgery were the leading predisposing factors.CONCLUSIONS The main infected site is respiratory tract.Cancer and the clinical therapies may lead to infection,so we should pay more attention to the nosocomial infection in the cancer therapy.

Studies have suggested that human cytomegalovirus-activated infection is closely associated with atherosclerosis. The levels of interleukin-8 increase significantly in human cyto-megalovirus infection-related atherosclerosis, inducing and aggravating inflammatory reaction through the chemokine receptors, and thus plays an important role in the process of atherosclerosis.