OBJECTIVE: To explore the genotype-phenotype correlation in a Chinese family with structural brain abnormalities due to variant of the TUBB gene. METHODS: A family undergoing prenatal diagnosis at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in October 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were collected. Amniotic fluid sample was subjected to chromosomal copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). Trio whole-exome sequencing (Trio-WES) was carried out on the amniotic fluid and parental blood samples, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2023-KY-076-01). RESULTS: Both prenatal ultrasound and fetal MRI showed deviation of brain midline, unilateral lateral ventriculomegaly, and bilateral gyral asymmetry. Trio-WES revealed that the fetus has harbored a maternally derived heterozygous missense variant of the TUBB gene [NM_178014.4: c.155A>G (p.N52S)]. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the woman and a previously terminated fetus both harbored the same variant. Both the proband and two fetuses exhibited similar neuroimaging abnormalities including midline deviation and asymmetrical gyri. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PS2_Moderate+PS3). CONCLUSION The heterozygous c.155A>G (p.N52S) variant was the TUBB gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of the structural brain abnormalities in this family. Above findings have expanded the phenotypic spectrum associated with the variant and facilitated the prenatal diagnosis for this family.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Tubulin/genetics* ; Adult ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Pedigree ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Genetic Association Studies ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the host's dysregulated response to infection, with a complex pathogenesis and high mortality rate. Currently, there are no clear and effective treatment drugs available. Epigenetic modification serves as a major mechanism regulating gene expression under pathological and physiological conditions, and it has been shown to play a critical role in regulating the occurrence and development of sepsis. Histone acetylation modification, as a sophisticated epigenetic modification mechanism, plays a crucial regulatory role in many aspects of life. It can jointly regulate the acetylation status of histones through histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC), thereby changing DNA expression and dynamically regulating sepsis related gene expression at the epigenetic level. Previous studies have shown that histone acetylation can participate in the progression of sepsis by regulating inflammatory mediators, nuclear factor-ΚB (NF-ΚB) signaling pathway, autophagy, efferocytosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis. These mechanisms are promising targets for novel sepsis treatments. In addition, with the deepening of research, it has been found that various selective/non selective histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) can regulate histone acetylation status by acting on different HDAC targets, which has been shown to alleviate organ damage caused by sepsis and improve prognosis in septic animal models. This article further summarizes the role and potential applications of histone acetylation in sepsis, providing new ideas for the treatment of sepsis.
Sepsis/metabolism* ; Acetylation ; Humans ; Histones/metabolism* ; Histone Acetyltransferases/metabolism* ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Histone Deacetylases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Animals

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of cardiac MR (CMR)-derived left ventricular end-systolic wall stress (LVESWS) and biventricular strain parameters for different types of heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 231 patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction by clinical and CMR criteria at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2015 and July 2023. The endpoint was the occurrence of heart failure, and patients were divided into 3 groups: no heart failure ( n=85), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n=74), and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n=72). Clinical indicators such as age and infarct size were collected. CMR parameters analysis included LVESWS, left ventricular global radial strain (LVGRS), left ventricular global circumferential strain (LVGCS), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), right ventricular global radial strain (RVGRS), right ventricular global circumferential strain (RVGCS), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI). Differences in clinical baseline data and CMR parameters among the 3 groups were tested. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed, followed by multivariate Cox modeling of statistically significant factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted for the influencing factors identified in the multivariate Cox model, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves for survival time were plotted. Results:Significant differences were observed in biventricular strain parameters (LVGRS, LVGCS, LVGLS, RVGRS, RVGCS, RVGLS), LVESWS, LVEDVI, and LVESVI among the 3 groups (all P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that RVGCS, age, and infarct size were independent influencing factors for HFpEF after myocardial infarction (all P<0.01), while LVESWS and LVGLS were independent influencing factors for HFrEF after myocardial infarction (all P<0.001). Further ROC analysis revealed that the areas under the curve (AUC) for RVGCS, infarct size, age, RVGCS combined with age, and RVGCS combined with age and infarct size in predicting HFpEF were 0.771, 0.607, 0.615, 0.793, and 0.805, respectively. The AUCs for LVESWS, LVGLS, and LVESWS combined with LVGLS in predicting HFrEF were 0.943, 0.925, and 0.971, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curves based on optimal cutoff values showed statistically significant differences in survival time between HFpEF and non-heart failure patients when grouped by RVGCS and age (all P<0.05), but no significant difference when grouped by infarct size ( P=0.400). Statistically significant differences in survival time were observed between HFrEF and non-heart failure patients when grouped by LVESWS and LVGLS (all P<0.001). Conclusion:CMR-derived LVESWS and biventricular strain parameters demonstrate significant predictive value for different types of heart failure after myocardial infarction and can serve as valuable imaging markers for heart failure management and risk stratification in patients with myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Spatiotemporal disparities exist in the disease burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) attributable to kidney dysfunction, which has been poorly assessed. The present study aimed to evaluate the spatiotemporal trends of the global burden of NCDs attributable to kidney dysfunction and to predict future trends. METHODS: Data on NCDs attributable to kidney dysfunction, quantified using deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), were extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study in 2019. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of age-standardized rate (ASR) was calculated with linear regression to assess the changing trend. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the association between ASR and sociodemographic index (SDI) for 21 GBD regions. A Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict future trends up to 2040. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2019, the absolute number of deaths and DALYs from NCDs attributable to kidney dysfunction increased globally. The death cases increased from 1,571,720 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 1,344,420-1,805,598) in 1990 to 3,161,552 (95% UI: 2,723,363-3,623,814) in 2019 for both sexes combined. Both the ASR of death and DALYs increased in Andean Latin America, the Caribbean, Central Latin America, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Southern Sub-Saharan Africa. In contrast, the age-standardized metrics decreased in the high-income Asia Pacific region. The relationship between SDI and ASR of death and DALYs was negatively correlated. The BAPC model indicated that there would be approximately 5,806,780 death cases and 119,013,659 DALY cases in 2040 that could be attributed to kidney dysfunction. Age-standardized death of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and CKD attributable to kidney dysfunction were predicted to decrease and increase from 2020 to 2040, respectively. CONCLUSION NCDs attributable to kidney dysfunction remain a major public health concern worldwide. Efforts are required to attenuate the death and disability burden, particularly in low and low-to-middle SDI regions.
Humans ; Noncommunicable Diseases/epidemiology* ; Global Burden of Disease ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Male ; Female ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Kidney Diseases/epidemiology* ; Bayes Theorem ; Adult ; Aged ; Global Health ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years

Objective To establish a management scheme for the prevention and control of sudden respiratory infectious diseases on hospital ships and to evaluate its application.Methods The clinical practice,guidelines,expert consensus and systematic evaluation on the prevention and control of sudden respiratory infectious diseases at home and abroad were systematically retrieved.At the same time,the research team proposed a preliminary draft of the management scheme for the prevention and control of sudden respiratory infectious diseases on hospital ships by referring to the literatures on the management of major epidemics at home and abroad in recent years.After 2 rounds of discussion and amendment suggested by expert demonstration meetings,the management scheme for the prevention and control of sudden respiratory infectious diseases on hospital ships was finally formed,and preliminary verification was carried out in"Mission Harmony-2022".Results The hospital ship management scheme for the prevention and control of sudden respiratory infectious diseases included 6 first-level items,22 second-level items,and 40 third-level items(including 34 level-A recommended indicators and 6 level-B recommended indicators).The scheme was applied in"Mission Harmony-2022"and the task was successfully completed.Conclusion The management scheme for the prevention and control of sudden respiratory infectious diseases on hospital ships is systematic,comprehensive,rigorous,practical and scientific,and can provide a guiding reference for the rescue task of sudden respiratory infectious diseases on hospital ships.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)and its correlation with metabolic components among personnel on tropical islands.Methods The data of personnel who received health examination on islands in 2024 were analyzed,and they were grouped with the age limit of 30 years old to compare the detection rates of MAFLD and metabolic components in different age groups.In people aged≥ 30 years old,the age,gender,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference(WC),fasting blood glucose,blood lipids,liver function,kidney function and other indexes were compared between MAFLD and non-MAFLD groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of MAFLD.The effects of various metabolic components on the risk of MAFLD in different age groups were analyzed by subgroup analyses.Results Among 1213 personnel,175(14.4％)cases had MAFLD,of which 141(80.6％)cases were mild,32(18.3％)were moderate,and 2(1.1％)were severe.The detection rates of MAFLD(25.6％[74/289]vs 10.9％[101/924])and overweight/obesity(55.7％[161/289]vs 37.7％[348/924])in age ≥ 30 years old were significantly higher than those in age＜30 years old(both P＜0.001).In people aged≥ 30 years old,compared with the non-MAFLD group,the BMI,WC,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein-cholesterol,alanine transaminase,aspartate transaminase,gamma glutamyltransferase and uric acid(UA)in the MAFLD group were significantly higher(all P＜0.05),and the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C)was significantly lower(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in age,gender,fast blood glucose,total cholesterol,alkaline phosphatase,total bilirubin,serum creatinine,or blood urea nitrogen(all P＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that WC was an independent risk factor for MAFLD(odds ratio[OR]=1.101,95％confidence interval[95％CI]1.030-1.176,P=0.004);HDL-C was an independent protective factor for MAFLD(OR=0.071,95％CI0.016-0.323,P=0.001);and BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2 and WC≥90 cm were positively correlated with MAFLD(both P＜0.01).In people aged≥30 years old,the risk of MAFLD was increased in those with overweight/obesity,arterial blood pressure≥ 130/85 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),TG≥1.7 mmol/L,HDL-C≤1.0 mmol/L and UA＞420 μmol/L(all P＜0.05),and the risk of MAFLD was most significantly increased in overweight/obesity people(hazard ratio[HR]=5.088,95％CI 2.724-9.504,P＜0.001).Among people aged＜30 years old,the risk of MAFLD was increased in those with overweight/obesity and UA＞420 μmol/L(both P＜0.01),and the risk of MAFLD was most significantly increased in overweight/obesity individuals(HR=6.305,95％CI3.973-10.006,P＜0.001).Conclusion The detection rates of MAFLD and various metabolic components are higher in the personnel on tropical islands,and the risk of MAFLD is higher in those with overweight/obesity,TG≥1.7 mmol/L and hyperuricemia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of particulate matter and ozone with the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a district of Shanghai, and to provide epidemiological evidence for the further identification of early health hazards of air pollution and for the prevention and control of NAFLD. MethodsBased on Songjiang Sub-cohort of Shanghai Natural Population Cohort, a cross-sectional survey design was used to recruit participants from 2016 to 2017. Annual average exposure levels to air pollution from 2009 to 2017 were matched to the participant’s residential address using a high-resolution and high-quality ambient air pollutants dataset in China. NAFLD was diagnosed according to the “Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of metabolism⁃associated (non⁃alcoholic) fatty liver disease” by the Chinese Medical Association. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to analyze the association between air pollution and the prevalence of NAFLD, and stratified analyses were used to compare differences by age, gender, obesity, and lifestyle habits within subgroups. ResultsA total of 32 791 individuals were included in the study. The prevalence of NAFLD among community residents in suburban Shanghai was 38.88%. For every 1 μg·m^-3 increase in PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, or O₃, the risk of NAFLD increased correspongdinglt, with the odds ratios (95%CI) of 1.071 (1.043‒1.099), 1.065 (1.042‒1.089), 1.041 (1.027‒1.055), or 1.061 (1.032‒1.091), respectively. There were differences in effects across different gender, age, and obesity status subgroups. ConclusionPM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and O₃ are positively associated with an increased risk of NAFLD. Stratified analyses reveal that individuals aged 65 years old or above exhibited greater susceptibility to PM₁, PM_2.5, and O₃, whereas those aged less than 65 years old are more vulnerable to PM₁₀. Males are more sensitive to PM₁ and O₃, and females are more susceptible to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. The association between air pollutant exposure and NAFLD risk is more pronounced among obese participants compared to that in non-obese counterparts.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the expression of CTLA-4 and PD-L1 in pulmonary lympho-epithelial carcinoma(PLEC)and to explore their relationships with patient prognosis and with tumor-infiltrating lym-phocytes(TILs).Methods Fifty cases of PLEC were retrospectively collected,together with 23 samples of adjacent normal lung tissue.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect CTLA-4 and PD-L1 expression in both PLEC and adjacent normal lung tissues,as well as to quantify CD4+and CD8+T-lymphocytes infiltration within the tumor micro-environment.CTLA-4,PD-L1,and the distributions of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells were then correlated with the clinicopathological features of PLEC.Results The positive rate of CTLA-4 in PLEC was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal lung tissue(P＜0.05).PD-L1 expression differed significantly across TNM stages of PLEC(P＜0.05)and was positively correlated with TNM stages(r=0.31,P=0.03).CD4+and CD8+T-lymphocytes were pre-dominantly localized in the tumor stroma,with CD4+T cells density exceeding that of CD8+(P＜0.05).Within canc-er nests,CD8+T cells density was significantly higher than CD4+(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both PD-L1 and CTLA-4 are frequently expressed in PLEC,suggesting they represent potential immunotherapeutic targets.In the PLEC micro-environment,lymphocytes primarily infiltrated the stromal compartment,and CD4+T cells are more abundant than CD8+T cells in that locale.

Iron is an essential trace element for the human body and is critical for vital cellular processes,such as DNA synthesis,respiration,and oxygen transport.The body maintains iron homeostasis through a coordinated balance of absorption,utilization,storage,and distribution.Both iron deficiency and excess can lead to pathologies,with the latter triggering lipid peroxidation and DNA mutations via the Fenton reaction,potentially causing iron-induced cell death in severe cases.Although iron overload can inflict severe damage on multiple organs,including the brain,liver,spleen,heart,ovaries,and kidneys,the mechanisms that regulate iron homeostasis in response to overload are not fully understood.Various animal models have been developed to help elucidate these mechanisms,each reflecting different aspects of iron overload relevant to human diseases,and selection of the most appropriate animal model is needed for the accurate simulation of the pathological and physiological states associated with human iron overload-related diseases.This review synthesizes recent literature on animal models pertinent to iron overload,to offer insights to support the development and analysis of models for diseases related to iron overload.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of cardiac MR (CMR)-derived left ventricular end-systolic wall stress (LVESWS) and biventricular strain parameters for different types of heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 231 patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction by clinical and CMR criteria at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2015 and July 2023. The endpoint was the occurrence of heart failure, and patients were divided into 3 groups: no heart failure ( n=85), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n=74), and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n=72). Clinical indicators such as age and infarct size were collected. CMR parameters analysis included LVESWS, left ventricular global radial strain (LVGRS), left ventricular global circumferential strain (LVGCS), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), right ventricular global radial strain (RVGRS), right ventricular global circumferential strain (RVGCS), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI). Differences in clinical baseline data and CMR parameters among the 3 groups were tested. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed, followed by multivariate Cox modeling of statistically significant factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted for the influencing factors identified in the multivariate Cox model, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves for survival time were plotted. Results:Significant differences were observed in biventricular strain parameters (LVGRS, LVGCS, LVGLS, RVGRS, RVGCS, RVGLS), LVESWS, LVEDVI, and LVESVI among the 3 groups (all P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that RVGCS, age, and infarct size were independent influencing factors for HFpEF after myocardial infarction (all P<0.01), while LVESWS and LVGLS were independent influencing factors for HFrEF after myocardial infarction (all P<0.001). Further ROC analysis revealed that the areas under the curve (AUC) for RVGCS, infarct size, age, RVGCS combined with age, and RVGCS combined with age and infarct size in predicting HFpEF were 0.771, 0.607, 0.615, 0.793, and 0.805, respectively. The AUCs for LVESWS, LVGLS, and LVESWS combined with LVGLS in predicting HFrEF were 0.943, 0.925, and 0.971, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curves based on optimal cutoff values showed statistically significant differences in survival time between HFpEF and non-heart failure patients when grouped by RVGCS and age (all P<0.05), but no significant difference when grouped by infarct size ( P=0.400). Statistically significant differences in survival time were observed between HFrEF and non-heart failure patients when grouped by LVESWS and LVGLS (all P<0.001). Conclusion:CMR-derived LVESWS and biventricular strain parameters demonstrate significant predictive value for different types of heart failure after myocardial infarction and can serve as valuable imaging markers for heart failure management and risk stratification in patients with myocardial infarction.