In recent years， the number of special clinical cases related to assisted reproductive technology （ART） for pregnancy has been on the rise annually. For example， gamete donation， assisted reproduction for couples of advanced maternal ages， and the ownership and disposition of embryos when one or both partners pass away， all involve the health of offspring and conflicts of interest in the implementation of ART. Although China’s ethical principles for ART include the protection of the offspring， the detailed rules are vague and urgently need to be supplemented and improved. In addition， the clinical application of ART lacks legislative collaborative governance. The corresponding administrative departments， practitioners， and infertile couples should work together. Starting from the perspective of focusing on the well-being of offspring born from the clinical application of ART， while conducting clinical research to address technical challenges， efforts should be made to overcome ethical dilemmas in the application of technology， comprehensively consider the well-being of offspring born from assisted reproductive treatments and help them seek the best care to promote their healthy growth.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the most common complications of liver cirrhosis. The formation of PVT can increase the mortality rate of cirrhotic patients and adversely affect the successful implementation and prognosis of liver transplantation. A hypercoagulable state is a unique mechanism underlying PVT formation in cirrhotic patients. In recent years, the pathogenesis of PVT has gradually been elucidated, with specific mechanisms including the following aspects: systemic and local inflammatory responses lead to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction, thereby promoting the activation of the coagulation system; abnormal activation of the monocyte-macrophage system exacerbates local inflammation, enhancing platelet adhesion and aggregation, and facilitating thrombus formation; an imbalance between the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems results in a sustained hypercoagulable state; and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis induces inflammation and metabolic disturbances, thereby increasing the risk of PVT. This article summarizes the latest research progress on these key mechanisms and their interactions, providing new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of PVT. It also offers directions for the early diagnosis of PVT and the exploration of novel intervention strategies in the future.

Objective To explore the application value of anhydrous ethanol as an alternative to methanol in the preparation of chromosomal specimens from peripheral blood lymphocytes, and to establish a set of quantitative analytical methods for objectively evaluating the effectiveness of specimen preparation. Methods Residual blood samples from routine laboratory slide preparation were used for lymphocyte culture. The standard slide preparation method was employed. The fixative in the control group was methanol and glacial acetic acid (3∶1). Four experimental groups were set up based on the ratio of anhydrous ethanol to glacial acetic acid in the fixative (volume ratios of 3∶1, 5∶1, 7∶1, and 9∶1 for experimental groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). A chromosomal analysis was conducted using an automated chromosome scanning/image analysis system to evaluate the morphology and dispersion of metaphase chromosomes in both control and experimental groups. Comparisons were made between the control and experimental groups regarding the dic + r aberration rate, ace aberration rate, chromosomal aberration rate, chromosome dispersion index, chromosome overlapping ratio, and dispersion index/overlapping ratio. Results Microscopic evaluation revealed that the preparation quality of experimental groups 1 and 2 was comparable to the control group. No statistically significant differences were observed in dic + r aberration rate between each of the experimental groups and the control (P > 0.05). All experimental groups except group 4 showed no significant differences in ace aberration rate and chromosome aberration rate compared with the control group (P > 0.05). Experimental groups 1 and 2 showed no significant differences in chromosome dispersion index, overlapping ratio, and dispersion index/overlapping ratio compared with the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion A mixture of anhydrous ethanol and glacial acetic acid at a 5∶1 ratio is recommended for use as a fixative in the preparation of chromosomal specimens from peripheral blood lymphocytes. A quantitative index system for assessing the quality of chromosomal specimens was established, enabling objective evaluation of slide preparation effectiveness.

Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum trimethylamine oxide(TMAO),endo-thelial cell specific molecule 1(Endocan)and cardiac function and pregnancy outcome in patients with hyper-tensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP).Methods A total of 182 patients with HDP admitted to Handan Ma-ternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023(HDP group)and 98 healthy pregnant women admitted to this hospital during the same period(control group)were selected as research subjects.Serum TMAO,Endocan and left ventricular cardiac function indexes[left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)and left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV)]were compared between the two groups.According to pregnancy outcome,HDP patients were divided into poor outcome group(78 cases)and good outcome group(104 cases).Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum TMAO and Endocan and cardiac function indexes in HDP patients,and multi-factor Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDP patients.The predictive value of serum TMAO and Endocan for adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDP patients was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Compared with control group,serum TMAO,Endocan,LVEDV and LVESV were increased in HDP group,and LVEF was decreased(P＜0.05).Serum TMAO and Endocan in HDP patients were negatively correlated with LVEF(P＜0.05),and positively correlated with LVEDV and LVESV(P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in 182 HDP patients was 42.86％(78/182).Preeclampsia(PE),severe preeclampsia(SPE),24 h urine protein increase,LVEDV increase,LVESV increase,TMAO increase,Endocan increase were independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDP patients,and LVEF increase was protective factor(P＜0.05).The area under the curve of serum TMAO combined with Endocan in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDP patients was 0.880,which was greater than 0.793 and 0.788 predicted by serum TMAO and Endocan a-lone.Conclusion The increase of serum TMAO and Endocan levels in HDP patients are relate to the decrease of cardiac function and adverse pregnancy outcomes,and the combined detection of the two has high predictive value for adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDP patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between serum pregnancy-specific protein 1(PSG1),stress-induced protein 2(Sestrin 2),growth arrest-specific protein 6(Gas6)and uterine artery blood flow pa-rameters and fetal growth restriction(FGR)in patients with gestational hypertension(GH).Methods A to-tal of 485 GH patients admitted to Handan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2020 to October 2023 were selected as the research objects and divided into the occurrence group(81 cases)and the non-occur-rence group according to whether FGR occurred.The correlations between serum PSG1,Sestrin 2,Gas6 and uterine artery blood flow parameters[pulse index(PI),resistance index(RI),ratio of peak systolic velocity to end diastolic velocity(S/D)]was analysed,as well as the related influencing factors of FGR in GH patients.In addition,a Nomogram model based on the influencing factors was constructed to analyze the predictive value.Results The serum PSG1 level in occurrence group was significantly lower than that in non-occurrence group,and the serum Sestrin 2,Gas6 levels and PI,RI,S/D values were significantly higher than those in non-occurrence group(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation results showed that serum PSG1 was negatively correlated with the uterine artery blood flow parameters PI,RI,and S/D,and the levels of serum Sestrin 2 and Gas6 were positively correlated with the uterine artery blood flow parameters PI,RI,and S/D(P＜0.05).Gestational di-abetes mellitus,umbilical cord abnormalities,high Sestrin 2,high Gas6,high PI,high RI,and high S/D were independent risk factors for the occurrence of FGR in GH patients(P＜0.05),and increased PSG1 level was protective factor for the occurrence of FGR in GH patients(P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the Nomogram prediction model con-structed based on the influencing factors for predicting the occurrence of FGR in GH patients was 0.982,and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.943 and 0.938,respectively.The internal verification of the Bootstrap method shows that the Bias-corrected prediction curve basically coincides with the Ideal line,and the consis-tency index(C-index)was 0.964,indicating that the model was relatively stable.The decision curve shows that the threshold probability of this model was 0.01-1.00 and the net return rate was above 0.Conclusion Ser-um PSG1,Sestrin 2 and Gas6 in GH patients are closely related to uterine artery blood flow parameters and FGR,and the three are the influencing factors for the occurrence of FGR in GH patients.The constructed No-mogram model has a good predictive efficacy for FGR.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical phenotype and pathogenic variants in patients with Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME).Methods:Clinical data and results of genetic testing for 11 patients diagnosed with PME at the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2017 to December 2022 were collected and analyzed.Results:All of the patients, including 4 males and 7 females, had predominant action myoclonus. Three patients had myoclonus as the initial manifestation, whilst eight were diagnosed through genetic testing, including three cases with NEU1 gene variants, two with EPM2A gene variants (1 was novel), one with MT- TK gene variant, one with ATN1 gene variant, and one with CSTB gene variant. No pathogenic variant was identified in the remaining three cases. Among the eight patients with a genetic diagnosis, three were diagnosed with sialidosis, two with Lafora disease, one with Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), one with Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD), and one with Myoclonic epilepsy with ragging red fibers (MERRF). Conclusion:Compared with pediatric patients, adult patients with PME represent a distinct subtype with slower progression and milder cognitive impairment.

Objective:To observe any effect of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) combined with electro-acupuncture on detrusor overactivity after a spinal cord injury.Methods:Forty spinal cord injury survivors with neurogenic detrusor overactivity were randomly assigned to a control group or an observation group, each of 20. Both groups received routine bladder training and electro-acupuncture modulating 3 sacral spinal nerves. The observation group also received 20 minutes of bilateral PTNS five times a week for 8 weeks. The frequency was 10Hz with a pulse width of 200μs. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ urination frequency, incontinence and average daily urine volume were assessed using a urodynamics analyzer, bladder diaries and an incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL).Results:After treatment, the average involuntary detrusor contraction volume (IDCV), maximum detrusor pressure at filling time (P det·max), bladder compliance (BC), residual volume and the TL value of the electromyogram of the urethral sphincter (LgTLR) had all improved significantly in both groups. The 1st IDCV, BC and LgTLR of the observation group were then significantly better than in the control group, on average, with the average P det·max and residual volume significantly lower than in the control group. The average daily single urine output and I-QOL score of both groups had increased significantly, while the average daily urination frequency and frequency of urinary incontinence had decreased significantly. Both were again significantly better in the observation group. Conclusion:Combining percutaneous electrical stimulation of the tibial nerves with electro-acupuncture can effectively inhibit detrusor overactivity after a spinal cord injury, reducing urinary incontinence.

African swine fever virus(ASFV)I177L gene deletion vaccine is one of the key directions of African swine fever(ASF)live attenuated vaccine research and development.In order to effec-tively distinguish between the wild-type ASFV strain and the I177L gene-deleted strain,specific primers and probes were designed based on ASFV B646L and I177L genes,respectively.After screening and optimization,a duplex real-time PCR method was developed that can simultaneously detect these two genes.The results showed that ASFV B646L and I177L genes were detected spe-cifically and simultaneously by the method developed without cross-reactions with porcine circovir-us type 2,Seneca virus A,classical swine fever virus,foot-and-mouth disease virus,porcine respira-tory and reproductive syndrome virus.The detection limits of the duplex real-time PCR for recom-binant plasmids pUC57-B646L and pUC57-I177L were 1×103 copies/mL.The intra-and inter-as-say coefficients of variation were less than 4％,respectively.Detection of 122 pork and pork prod-ucts using the duplex real-time PCR developed and the real-time PCR recommended by WOAH showed that the coincidence rates of the two methods for B646L gene detection was 100％with two amplification curves appeared in the positive results of the established methods.The method established in this study can be used for the detection of ASFV I177L gene deletion strains,which provides technical support for ASF surveillance and epidemiological investigation.

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with onset in infancy. Early intervention is critical to improve the prognosis for these children. E-health interventions have tremendous potential. This review aimed to determine the status and effectiveness of family interventions for parents of children aged 0–6 years with ASD in the context of e-health. Methods: The review methodology was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched from inception to June 2022. The searches were limited to children with ASD of the age range between 0 and 6 years. We collated the available information and used descriptive statistics to analyze the synthesized data. Results: Our initial search identified 3,672 articles, of which 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. The 30 articles selected were released between 2012 and 2022. All articles are in English. Most articles reviewed were from high-income countries (27/30, 90.0%), especially from the United States (16/30, 53.3%). Four major themes emerged from the 30 studies that matched the inclusion criteria, as follows: 1) type of e-health interventions, 2) duration of interventions, 3) clinical aspects of e-health interventions, and 4) evidence for intervention effectiveness, looking into the positive, negative, and mixed findings of previous studies. Conclusion These findings suggest that a wide variety of e-health interventions may actually help support both children with ASD aged 0–6 years and their parents.