ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential of different orders of magnitude single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus combinations for predicting distant kinship relationships. A high-density SNP locus set was constructed, and a comprehensive assessment of its inference capability was conducted. MethodsFirstly, we selected three commercial chip panels, CGA (Chinese genotyping array, Illumina), GSA (Global screening array, Illumina), Affy (23MF_V2 high-density SNP array, Affymetrix) and merged them after quality control, forming a high-density SNP locus panel(1 180 k). Secondly, we selected 161 samples and collected their peripheral blood samples by using whole-genome sequencing technology. Within this sample population, the levels of kinship relationships fully covered the range from level 1 to level 9, and the number of kinship pairs at each level was consistently maintained at over 50 pairs. From 161 samples data of whole-genome sequencing, the 1 180 k locus set was extracted, which is referred to as the high-density SNP locus set in the following text. The kinship inference was conducted using the identity-by-descent (IBD) algorithm with the selected optimal parameters. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of the high-density SNP locus set in kinship inference, we compared it with the three commercial chip panels, the intersection of these three chip loci, and the control sets constructed by randomly reducing the number of the high-density SNP locus set. Based on the changes in the IBD lengths, as well as the dynamic trends in prediction accuracy, we conducted a scientific assessment of the kinship inference capability of the high-density SNP locus set. ResultsAfter screening, a set of 1 184 334 autosomal SNPs was obtained. During the process of screening the optimal IBD length threshold, the result revealed that 0 cM, 1 cM, and 2 cM all demonstrated good applicability. However, to avoid the issue of a large amount of redundant information caused by setting a too low IBD length threshold, this study ultimately selected 2 cM as the optimal threshold. Compared with the average results of three chip panels, the high-density SNP locus set increased the total IBD length and the average IBD length across levels 1-9; the accuracy of the confidence interval for level 8 was 70.97%, which represented a 3.50% improvement; the average confidence interval accuracy for levels 1-8 was 91.39%, representing a 1.00% increase; and the false negative rates at levels 8 and 9 were reduced by 2.42% and 6.76%, respectively. The system efficacy of the high-density SNP locus set for kinship inference of first to eighth degree relationships reached 98.91%. Through random reduction of the high-density SNP locus set results, it is found that increasing the number of SNPs with the panel, the detection efficiency of IBD length showed a significant upward trend. At the same time, the overall trend in the accuracy of kinship relationship prediction as well as the confidence interval accuracy also indicated that both metrics steadily increased with the addition of more loci. ConclusionThe results show that the high-density SNPs panel significantly enhances the efficacy of distant kinship inference, accurately covering kinship degrees, with the average confidence interval accuracy for first to eighth degree relationships stably above 90%. The study finds that increasing the number of SNPs panel can improve the ability to predict distant kinship.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription （BPQF） in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control （PC） groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment， the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time， twice a day， for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores， Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis （QOL-B） scores， lung function indicators， T lymphocyte subsets， level of inflammatory factors in the sputum， level of neutrophil elastase （NE） in the sputum， and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study， encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment， the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）， increased QOL-B scores （P<0.01）， and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and NE （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom （except spleen deficiency） scores （P<0.01）， increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a declined TNF-α level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom （except chest tightness） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher QOL-B （except treatment burden） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05） than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.

ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.

Objective:To analyze the 2011-to-2023 baseline data on, and the variations theirin, malignant tumor mortality for the surrounding residents prior to operation of the Jin-Qimen nuclear power plant at Xiangshan county, Zhejiang province, for pursose of providing scientific basis for evaluating the health impacts of nuclear power plant operation.Methods:Data on malignant tumor mortality and population in Xiangshan county from 2011 to 2023 were collected from the Ningzhou Cause of Death Monitoring System and the Ningzhou Public Security Bureau. Crude death rates and standardized rates (China standard population) were calculated. The Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC).Results:The average annual malignant tumor mortality from 2011 to 2023 was 212.42 deaths per 100 000 population (age-standardized rate: 133.16 deaths per 100 000 population), with males at 287.41 deaths per 100 000 and females at 135.40 deaths per 100 000 population. The crude mortality exhibited an upward trend (AAPC=1.264%, t=5.07, P<0.05), while the age-standardized rate showed a significant downward trend (AAPC=-2.753%, t=-10.50, P<0.05). Mortality increased with age ( χ2=23 903.91, P<0.05), peaking in the ≥85 age group (1 693.11 per 100 000), and rising trends were observed in males ( χ2=16 982.46, P<0.05) and females ( χ2=7 329.05, P<0.05). Leading causes included lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Liver cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer showed declining trends, whereas prostate cancer increased. Radiation-sensitive tumors (e.g., leukemia, breast cancer, thyroid cancer) displayed no significant trends. Among individuals under the age of 30, leukemia and brain/nervous system cancers predominated; for those aged 30-79, the lung, liver, and gastric cancers were dominant; and for the group aged 80 and above, the lung, gastric, and colorectal cancers were dominant. Malignant tumor mortality increased with distance from the nuclear facility ( χ2=6.90, P<0.05), significantly in males ( χ2=10.42, P<0.05) but not in females ( P>0.05). Leukemia, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer mortality showed no significant trends ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The age-standardized mortality rate for malignant tumors in Xiangshan county demonstrated an overall declining trend, with notable changes in specific cancers. Leukemia, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer mortality remained relatively stable. These baseline findings provide a scientific basis for health impact assessments of nuclear power plants and sustainable nuclear energy development.

AIM To explore the clinical effects of Jiawei Yanghe Decoction combined with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation on patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma in chronic and persistent period.METHODS One hundred and eighteen patients were randomly assigned into control group(59 cases)for 4-week administration of Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation,and observation group(59 cases)for 4-week administration of both Jiawei Yanghe Decoction and Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation.The changes in clinical effects,ACT score,bronchial asthma control rate,pulmonary function indices(FEV1,PEF,FEV1％,PEF％),inflammatory indices(EOS,EOS％,FeNO),TCM syndrome score and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed increased bronchial asthma control rate,ACT score,PEF(P＜0.05),and decreased TCM syndrome score(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05);the observation group exhibited increased FEV1,FEV1％,PEF％(P＜0.05),among which FEV1,PEF％were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05);the observation group showed decreased inflammatory indices(P＜0.05),among which FeNO was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma in chronic and persistent period,Jiawei Yanghe Decoction combined with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation can safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms,improve pulmonary functions,airway inflammatory reactions,and enhance bronchial asthma control rate.

AIM To improve the quality standard for Dahuang Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets.METHODS TLC was adopted in the qualitative identification of rhein,emodin,chrysophanol,aloe-emodin,physcion and rhapontin,after which UPLC fingerprints were established,content determination of aloe emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside,rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside,emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside,chrysophanol-8-O-β-D-glucoside,physcion-8-O-β-D-glucoside,aloe-emodin,rhein,emodin,chrysophanol,physcion were performed.RESULTS The clear TLC plots demonstrated good specificity.There were 20 common peaks in the fingerprints for 8 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.535.Ten constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.997 0),whose average recoveries were 98.7％-104.1％with the RSDs of 0.59％-2.13％,whose content ranges were 0.274 1-2.005 9,0.547 8-5.192 2,1.209 2-3.936 3,1.039 3-3.330 2,0.307 0-1.248 1,0.118 2-0.674 7,0.115 1-0.970 3,0.224 5-1.789 3,0.881 4-4.882 6,0.801 4-5.099 1 mg/g,respectively.CONCLUSION This simple and stable method can effectively control the quality of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma in Dahuang Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets.

AIM To establish the preparation process and quality standard for Zhenggu Pills.METHODS With decoction time,decoction frequency and water addition as influencing factors,comprehensive score for extract yield and transfer rates of epicatechin and naringin as an evaluation index,the decoction process was optimized by orthogonal test.With sugarless paste relative density,medicinal powder fineness,sugarless paste-corn starch ratio,drying temperature and drying time as influencing factors,soft material traits,pill formability,moisture and disintegration time limit as evaluation indices,the formability process was optimized by single factor test.TLC was adopted in the qualitative identification of Dipsaci Radix,salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus,cooked Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.HPLC was used for the content determination of paeoniflorin and naringin.RESULTS The optimal decoction process was determined to be 0.5 h for decoction time,two times for decoction frequency,and 10 times for water addition,the comprehensive score was 0.93.The optimal formability process was determined to be 1.21-1.22 for sugarless paste relative density,80 mesh for medicinal powder fineness,1∶0.17-1∶0.18 for sugarless paste-corn starch ratio,70 ℃ for drying temperature,and 24 h for drying time,good soft material traits and pill formability were observable,and moisture and disintegration time limit accored with 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia requirements.The TLC spots were clear without negative interference.Two constituents showed good linear relationships within 61.30-490.41 μg/mL(r=0.999 8)and 3.27-26.18 μg/mL(r=0.999 8),whose average recoveries were 100.15％and 98.15％with the RSDs of 0.55％and 2.30％,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable,reliable and specific method can be used for the production and quality evaluation of Zhenggu Pills.

AIM To establish the quantitative models for gallic acid,mononucleoside,loganin,resveratrol,and rhein in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture.METHODS HPLC was adopted in the content determination of various effective components,after which the near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)data were collected in 128 batches of samples and pretreatment was conducted,competitive adaptive reweighting sampling(CARS)algorithm was used for screening wavelength,partial least square method(PLS)regression analysis was performed.RESULTS There were no significant differences between the predicted values obtained by PLS models and measured values obtained by HPLC for various effective components(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION The quantitative models established by NIRS combined with chemometrics display good predictive performance,which can be used for the rapid determination of effective components in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture,and provide a reference for the rapid monitoring of other traditional Chinese medicine preparations in production processes.

Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a common digestive disorder associated with moderate to high nutritional risks,necessitating timely nutritional support.Over the past five decades,medical nutrition therapy for AP has undergone a paradigm shift,transitioning from traditional fasting based on the"pancreatic rest theory"to the current emphasis on early enteral feeding to"awaken the gut."Currently,nutritional treatment has become a cornerstone of comprehensive AP management.The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism(ESPEN),founded in 1980,is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing research,clinical practice,and education in clinical nutrition and metabolism.To date,ESPEN has published five evidence-based guidelines on nutritional management in pancreatic diseases.This article reviews the evolution of AP nutritional therapy as outlined in these ESPEN guidelines,highlighting key recommendations and their clinical implications.

Gender recognition based on the analysis of fingerprint residue can assist investigators in narrowing down the scope of investigation and play an important role in the field of criminal investigation.This study established a quantitative analysis method for lipid substances in fingerprints based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).Fatty acids in fingerprints were methylated using sulfuric acid methanol derivatization reagent(7%,V/V),the extraction reagent was dichloromethane-methanol(1∶1,V/V)solution,the reaction temperature was 70℃and the heating time was 45 min.Quantitative analysis of the relative content of 23 kinds of fatty acids and squalene in fingerprints residue by different genders was conducted,and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)was used to reduce the dimensionality of the quantitative results.A total of 13 kinds of components in the fingerprints were selected to maximize the difference in relative content between male and female fingerprints.Three machine learning models,including binary logistic regression(BLR),support vector machine(SVM)and random forest(RF),were further used as feature variables to classify the gender of fingerprints.The classification performance of each model was compared through five indicators,and it was found that the most suitable model for binary classification of fingerprint gender was SVM model.The results showed that the SVM fingerprint residual gender binary classification model established based on the relative content data of 13 kinds of lipid substances in fingerprints achieved a classification accuracy of 90%and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)value of 0.98.This study provided a new research method for detecting lipid components in fingerprints and a methodological basis for gender recognition of fingerprints.