Purpose The study aimed to analyze the relationship between MET gene variants and clinicopathologi-cal features in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Next-generation sequencing technology was used to detect MET gene variants in NSCLC specimens.The association between MET gene variant status and clini-copathological features was then analyzed.Results Among 1 633 cases of NSCLC,the overall MET mutation rate was 4.53％(74/1 633).Variants were mainly observed in male patients,never-smokers,those older than 60 years,ade-nocarcinoma histology,and patients with TNM stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ disease(P＜0.05).MET gene variant status showed no significant assocication with patient age,sex,smoking history,or pathological subtype(P＞0.05),but was statistical-ly correlated with clinical stage and presence of distant metastasis(P＜0.05).The two major variant types were MET exon 14 skipping and MET amplification,which together accounted for 71.62％of all variants.In addition,MET am-plification was positively correlated with EGFR(P=0.003,rs=0.340)and TP53 mutations(P=0.002,rs=0.362),but showed no correlation with KRAS or ALK gene mutations.In contrast,MET exon 14 skipping was nega-tively correlated with EGFR gene mutations(P＜0.001,rs=-0.409),and showed no significant correlation with KRAS,ALK,or TP53 mutations.Conclusion Different types of MET gene variants(amplification,exon 14 skip-ping,fusion,and others)are significantly associated with clinical advanced clinical stage and distant metastasis in NSCLC,but are independent of patient age,sex,smoking history,and pathological subtype.MET amplification fre-quently co-occur with EGFR and TP53 co-mutations.

Objective:To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of a patient with Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) due to compound heterozygous variants of CCN6 gene. Methods:A patient who was admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University due to " bilateral finger joint deformity, bilateral hip and knee joint movement limitation for 19 years" was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient were retrospectively collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and her parents and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Long-read sequencing (LRS) and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the candidate variants. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the pathogenicity of candidate variants was classified. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Ethics No.: KYLL-202502 061).Results:The patient, a 23-year-old female, presented with progressive polyarticular deformity, limited movement and abnormal growth and development since childhood. She was initially misdiagnosed as Ankylosing spondylitis and had poor response to sulphasalazine and etoricoxib treatment. WES revealed that she has harbored two heterozygous variants of the CCN6 gene (NM_198239.2), namely c. 348C>A and c. 676G>C. LRS confirmed that the two variants are located on two homologous chromosomes and constitute compound heterozygous variants. Based on the ACMG guidelines, both variants were rated as pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3; PM1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3_Supporting+ PM5+ PP3_Strong). The c. 676G>C variant has not been recorded by the HGMD and ClinVar databases. Conclusion:The c. 348C>A and c. 676G>C compound heterozygous variants of the CCN6 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of PPRD in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of PPRD and provided a basis for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of a patient with Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) due to compound heterozygous variants of CCN6 gene. METHODS: A patient who was admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University due to "bilateral finger joint deformity, bilateral hip and knee joint movement limitation for 19 years" was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient were retrospectively collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and her parents and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Long-read sequencing (LRS) and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the candidate variants. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the pathogenicity of candidate variants was classified. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Ethics No.: KYLL-202502 061). RESULTS: The patient, a 23-year-old female, presented with progressive polyarticular deformity, limited movement and abnormal growth and development since childhood. She was initially misdiagnosed as Ankylosing spondylitis and had poor response to sulphasalazine and etoricoxib treatment. WES revealed that she has harbored two heterozygous variants of the CCN6 gene (NM_198239.2), namely c.348C>A and c.676G>C. LRS confirmed that the two variants are located on two homologous chromosomes and constitute compound heterozygous variants. Based on the ACMG guidelines, both variants were rated as pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3; PM1+PM2_Supporting+PM3_Supporting+PM5+PP3_Strong). The c.676G>C variant has not been recorded by the HGMD and ClinVar databases. CONCLUSION The c.348C>A and c.676G>C compound heterozygous variants of the CCN6 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of PPRD in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of PPRD and provided a basis for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Humans ; Female ; CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Heterozygote ; Young Adult ; Mutation ; Exome Sequencing ; Joint Diseases/congenital*

Objective To explore the regulatory mechanisms underlying the increased proportion of CD4+Foxp3+regulatory T(Treg)cells in late-stage diabetes mellitus(DM)with poorly-controlled blood glucose,and to identify new approaches and therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of secondary infections in the late stage of DM.Methods Wild-type C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly assigned to two groups,the experimental and the control groups(n=5 per group).Mice in the experimental group were injected with streptozotocin(STZ)to induce the mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1D),while those in the control group received injection of an an equal volume of 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer.In addition,wild-type C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were fed with high-fat diet for 2 months and subsequently randomly assigned to two groups,the experimental and the control groups(n=3 per group).Mice in the experimental group were injected with low-dose STZ for multiple times to induce the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2D),while those in the control group received an equal volume of 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer.The spleen and peripheral lymph nodes of the mice were collected 2 weeks after the stable onset of diabetes,and T cell immune responses were examined by flow cytometry.Naive T cells isolated by immunomagnetic beads were cultured to investigate the mechanisms by which high glucose regulates T cell differentiation and function.The frequency of Treg cells and effector T(Teff)cells,the expression levels of Ki67,a cell proliferation marker,cell apoptosis rate,and intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in the mouse tissue single cell suspension and T cell culture samples were assessed by multicolor flow cytometry.Results Late-stage T1D and T2D mice with poorly-managed blood glucose exhibited increased peripheral CD4+Foxp3+Treg frequencies(P<0.05).In these diabetic mice with poorly-managed blood glucose,the expression of Ki67 in Treg cells was significantly upregulated(P<0.05),while the apoptosis of non-Treg cells(Foxp3-non-Treg cells)increased markedly(P<0.05).Under high-glucose treatment conditions,the ROS levels in Teff cells increased significantly,and the cell apoptosis also increased significantly.High-glucose treatment induced the activation of transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)and promoted the differentiation of Treg cells,whereas blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway or neutralizing ROS completely inhibited high glucose-induced Treg differentiation(P<0.01).Conclusion Sustained hyperglycemic internal environment in poorly-controlled diabetic mice causes high level of ROS production in Teff cells by inducing oxidative stress,which leads to increased apoptosis of Teff cells,promotes the differentiation of Treg cells by activating TGF-β,and ultimately leads to exacerbated immunosuppressive environment in the late stages of DM.Inhibiting the high level of ROS in late-stage diabetic patients may be conducive to mitigating Teff apoptosis and increasing the frequencies of Treg cells,and may offer new perspectives for improving hyperglycemia-induced immunosuppression and secondary infections in the late stage of DM.

Objective To investigate the effect of extracorporeal diaphragmatic pacing(EDP)on wea-ning patients undergoing mechanical ventilation after acute Stanford type A aortic dissection(ATAAD)sur-gery.Methods A total of 80 patients who underwent ATAAD surgery and required mechanical ventilation in the cardiac intensive care unit(CCU)of our hospital from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as the study subjects.They were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group using a random number table method,with 40 patients in each group.Both groups of patients received conventional clinical drug therapy,mechanical ventilation support,and rehabilitation exercises after surgery.The intervention group additionally underwent EDP therapy on this basis.The clinical data,mechanical ventilation time,weaning out-comes,oxygenation index,tidal volume,and changes in diaphragm function parameters were compared be-tween two groups of patients.Results Compared with the control group,the intervention group had a shorter mechanical ventilation time[77.00(59.00,133.63)h]vs.54.50(49.00,105.25)h],offline success rate(72.5％vs.90.0％),oxygenation index[202.90(178.63,240.05)mmHg vs.236.50(196.00,293.75)mm-Hg],higher tidal volume[(496.00±111.95)mL vs.(563.23±133.98)mL],with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,diaphragmatic excursion(DE)of both sides[11.90(8.50,16.50)mm vs.15.30(12.20,19.80)mm;12.60(10.80,14.90)mm vs.14.70(11.43,19.20)mm]and diaphragmatic thickening fraction(DTF)of left and right side[21.75％(17.53％,27.13％)vs.26.30％(21.10％,32.40％);24.00％(17.68％,29.35％)vs.28.30％(22.43％,33.40％)]of the intervention group were higher,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion EDP can enhance the function of the diaphragm in patients,shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation,improve the success rate of wea-ning,and improve the weaning outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients after ATAAD surgery.

Purpose The study aimed to analyze the relationship between MET gene variants and clinicopathologi-cal features in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Next-generation sequencing technology was used to detect MET gene variants in NSCLC specimens.The association between MET gene variant status and clini-copathological features was then analyzed.Results Among 1 633 cases of NSCLC,the overall MET mutation rate was 4.53％(74/1 633).Variants were mainly observed in male patients,never-smokers,those older than 60 years,ade-nocarcinoma histology,and patients with TNM stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ disease(P＜0.05).MET gene variant status showed no significant assocication with patient age,sex,smoking history,or pathological subtype(P＞0.05),but was statistical-ly correlated with clinical stage and presence of distant metastasis(P＜0.05).The two major variant types were MET exon 14 skipping and MET amplification,which together accounted for 71.62％of all variants.In addition,MET am-plification was positively correlated with EGFR(P=0.003,rs=0.340)and TP53 mutations(P=0.002,rs=0.362),but showed no correlation with KRAS or ALK gene mutations.In contrast,MET exon 14 skipping was nega-tively correlated with EGFR gene mutations(P＜0.001,rs=-0.409),and showed no significant correlation with KRAS,ALK,or TP53 mutations.Conclusion Different types of MET gene variants(amplification,exon 14 skip-ping,fusion,and others)are significantly associated with clinical advanced clinical stage and distant metastasis in NSCLC,but are independent of patient age,sex,smoking history,and pathological subtype.MET amplification fre-quently co-occur with EGFR and TP53 co-mutations.

Objective:To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of a patient with Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) due to compound heterozygous variants of CCN6 gene. Methods:A patient who was admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University due to " bilateral finger joint deformity, bilateral hip and knee joint movement limitation for 19 years" was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient were retrospectively collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and her parents and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Long-read sequencing (LRS) and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the candidate variants. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the pathogenicity of candidate variants was classified. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Ethics No.: KYLL-202502 061).Results:The patient, a 23-year-old female, presented with progressive polyarticular deformity, limited movement and abnormal growth and development since childhood. She was initially misdiagnosed as Ankylosing spondylitis and had poor response to sulphasalazine and etoricoxib treatment. WES revealed that she has harbored two heterozygous variants of the CCN6 gene (NM_198239.2), namely c. 348C>A and c. 676G>C. LRS confirmed that the two variants are located on two homologous chromosomes and constitute compound heterozygous variants. Based on the ACMG guidelines, both variants were rated as pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3; PM1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3_Supporting+ PM5+ PP3_Strong). The c. 676G>C variant has not been recorded by the HGMD and ClinVar databases. Conclusion:The c. 348C>A and c. 676G>C compound heterozygous variants of the CCN6 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of PPRD in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of PPRD and provided a basis for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of pecto-intercostal fascial plane (PIFP) block and erector spinae plane (ESP) block for postoperative analgesia in median open heart surgery.Methods:A total of 158 patients who underwent elective midline open heart surgery at the Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University from October 2022 to October 2023 were randomly divided into a PIFP block group (P group) and ESP block group (E group) using a random number table method, with 79 patients in each group. Before anesthesia surgery, the group P underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral PIFP block, while the group E underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP block. Both groups received sufentanil intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after surgery. The resting and activity Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores of two groups of patients at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after surgery were recorded; The first press time of the patient′s postoperative patient-controlled analgesia pump, the cumulative dose of sufentanil within 24 hours, the number of effective presses, and the rate of salvage analgesia were recorded; and extubation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and adverse reactions; the time of nerve block operation, clarity score of puncture needle imaging under ultrasound, and patient satisfaction with nerve block were also recorded.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in resting VAS scores and activity VAS scores between the two groups at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after surgery (all P>0.05). The activity VAS scores of the group P were lower than those of the group E at 6 and 12 hours after surgery (all P<0.05); Compared with the group E, patients in the group P had significantly longer first press time of postoperative analgesia pump (all P<0.05), lower salvage analgesia rate, cumulative dose of sufentanil 24 hours after surgery, and fewer effective presses of analgesia pump (all P<0.05); There was no statistically significant difference in extubation time, ICU stay, and incidence rate of nausea between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05); Compared with the group E, the group P had shorter nerve block operation time, higher clarity score of puncture needle imaging under ultrasound, and higher patient satisfaction (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with ESP block, PIFP block can provide better perioperative analgesia for cardiac surgery patients, reduce the use of opioid drugs, and the operation of PIFP block is simpler, with good safety and effectiveness.

Objective To explore the possibility of rhabdomyolysis and related organ damage in new recruits training in high temperature and high humidity environment by comparing the effects of different training environments on the laboratory indicators and electrocardiogram.Methods A total of 250 new recruits from a unit in Beijing and another 250 ones from a unit in Hainan were recruited and assigned into conventional environment group and high temperature and high humidity environment group,respectively.All of them were male,with an average age of 21.36±2.59 years.Before and in 4 weeks after training in the same subjects,their general information,blood and urine indicators,and electrocardiogram were collected.All data were statistically analyzed.Results The incidences of inflammatory reaction,myocardial injury,muscle injury,liver injury,and kidney injury were 45.76％,3.39％,12.71％,25.42％,and 12.71％,respectively,in the high temperature and high humidity environment group,which were all significantly higher than those in the conventional environment group(P＜0.05).The former group had an incidence rate of 6.78％,5.93％,8.47％,6.78％,and 2.54％,respectively,in sinus bradycardia,atrial premature beats,unspecific ST-T changes,left ventricular hypertension and short PR interval,and all of the rates were higher than those of the conventional environment group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidences of inflammatory reaction,myocardial injury,muscle injury,liver injury,kidney injury,and ECG abnormalities are more common in new recruits after military training in high temperature and high humidity environment.

The corneal epithelium, an essential refractive interface, plays an integral role in the corneal healing after corneal refractive surgery. All existing corneal refractive surgeries entail a degree of corneal epithelial remodeling; however, excessive epithelial remodeling precipitates adverse outcomes on the refractive correction efficacy of such surgeries. This review summarizes the application of corneal epithelial remodeling in the corneal refractive surgery, and more comprehensively investigates the influencing factors of perioperative epithelial remodeling after corneal refractive surgery, with a view to augmenting the safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability of corneal refractive surgical outcomes.