Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults.Methods:A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test.Results:A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95% CI: 2.23-3.88) points ( P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95% CI: 4.03-5.37) points ( P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement ( P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions:This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

BACKGROUND: Currently, a significant number of miners are involved in mining operations at the Gejiu tin mine in Yunnan. This occupational setting is associated with exposure to dust particles, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radioactive radon, thereby significantly elevating the risk of lung cancer. This study aims to investigate the involvement of leptin-mediated extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the malignant transformation of rat alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust. METHODS: Immortalized rat alveolar cells type II (RLE-6TN) cells were infected with Yunnan tin mine dust at a concentration of 200 μg/mL for nine consecutive generations to establish the infected cell model, which was named R₂₀₀ cells. The cells were cultured normally, named as R cells. The expression of leptin receptor in both cell groups was detected using the Western blot method. The optimal concentration of leptin and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (U0126) on R₂₀₀ cells was determined using the MTT method. Starting from the 20th generation, the cells in the R group were co-cultured with leptin, while the cells in the R₂₀₀ group were co-cultured with the MEK inhibitor U0126. The morphological alterations of the cells in each group were visualized utilizing hematoxylin-eosin staining. Additionally, concanavalin A (ConA) was utilized to detect any morphological differences, and an anchorage-independent growth assay was conducted to assess the malignant transformation of the cells. The changes in the ERK signaling pathway in epithelial cells after the action of leptin were detected using the Western blot method. RESULTS: Both the cells in the R group and R₂₀₀ group express leptin receptor OB-R. Compared to the R₂₀₀ group, the concentration of leptin at 100 ng/mL shows the most significant pro-proliferation effect. The proliferation of R₂₀₀ cells infected with the virus is inhibited by 30 μmol/L U0126, and a statistically significant divergence was seen when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Starting from the 25th generation, the cell morphology of the leptin-induced R₂₀₀ group (R₂₀₀L group) underwent changes, leading to malignant transformation observed at the 30th generation. The characteristics of malignant transformation became evident by the 40th generation in the R₂₀₀L group. In contrast, the other groups showed agglutination of P40 cells, and the speed of cell aggregation increased with an increase in ConA concentration. Notably, the R₂₀₀L group exhibited faster cell aggregation compared to the U0126-induced R₂₀₀ (R₂₀₀LU) group. Additionally, the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were capable of forming clones starting from P30, with a colony formation rate of 2.25‰±0.5‰. However, no clonal colonies were observed in the R₂₀₀LU group and R₂₀₀ group. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) was enhanced in cells of the R₂₀₀L group. However, when the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were treated with U0126, a blocking agent, the phosphorylation level of pERK decreased. CONCLUSIONS Leptin can promote the malignant transformation of lung epithelial cells infected by mine dust, and the ERK signaling pathway may be necessary for the transformation of alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust.
Rats ; Animals ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; Dust ; Tin/adverse effects* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Leptin/adverse effects* ; Receptors, Leptin ; China ; Signal Transduction ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/adverse effects*

BACKGROUND: The current deep learning diagnosis of breast masses is mainly reflected by the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions. In China, breast masses are divided into four categories according to the treatment method: inflammatory masses, adenosis, benign tumors, and malignant tumors. These categorizations are important for guiding clinical treatment. In this study, we aimed to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) for classification of these four breast mass types using ultrasound (US) images. METHODS: Taking breast biopsy or pathological examinations as the reference standard, CNNs were used to establish models for the four-way classification of 3623 breast cancer patients from 13 centers. The patients were randomly divided into training and test groups (n = 1810 vs. n = 1813). Separate models were created for two-dimensional (2D) images only, 2D and color Doppler flow imaging (2D-CDFI), and 2D-CDFI and pulsed wave Doppler (2D-CDFI-PW) images. The performance of these three models was compared using sensitivity, specificity, area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), positive (LR+) and negative likelihood ratios (LR-), and the performance of the 2D model was further compared between masses of different sizes with above statistical indicators, between images from different hospitals with AUC, and with the performance of 37 radiologists. RESULTS: The accuracies of the 2D, 2D-CDFI, and 2D-CDFI-PW models on the test set were 87.9%, 89.2%, and 88.7%, respectively. The AUCs for classification of benign tumors, malignant tumors, inflammatory masses, and adenosis were 0.90, 0.91, 0.90, and 0.89, respectively (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.87-0.91, 0.89-0.92, 0.87-0.91, and 0.86-0.90). The 2D-CDFI model showed better accuracy (89.2%) on the test set than the 2D (87.9%) and 2D-CDFI-PW (88.7%) models. The 2D model showed accuracy of 81.7% on breast masses ≤1 cm and 82.3% on breast masses >1 cm; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). The accuracy of the CNN classifications for the test set (89.2%) was significantly higher than that of all the radiologists (30%). CONCLUSIONS: The CNN may have high accuracy for classification of US images of breast masses and perform significantly better than human radiologists. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chictr.org, ChiCTR1900021375; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=33139.
Area Under Curve ; Breast/diagnostic imaging* ; Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; China ; Deep Learning ; Humans ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

To address the increasing need for detecting and validating protein biomarkers in clinical specimens, mass spectrometry (MS)-based targeted proteomic techniques, including the selected reaction monitoring (SRM), parallel reaction monitoring (PRM), and massively parallel data-independent acquisition (DIA), have been developed. For optimal performance, they require the fragment ion spectra of targeted peptides as prior knowledge. In this report, we describe a MS pipe-line and spectral resource to support targeted proteomics studies for human tissue samples. To build the spectral resource, we integrated common open-source MS computational tools to assemble a freely accessible computational workflow based on Docker. We then applied the workflow to gen-erate DPHL, a comprehensive DIA pan-human library, from 1096 data-dependent acquisition (DDA) MS raw files for 16 types of cancer samples. This extensive spectral resource was then applied to a proteomic study of 17 prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Thereafter, PRM validation was applied to a larger study of 57 PCa patients and the differential expression of three proteins in prostate tumor was validated. As a second application, the DPHL spectral resource was applied to a study consisting of plasma samples from 19 diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients and 18 healthy control subjects. Differentially expressed proteins between DLBCL patients and healthy control subjects were detected by DIA-MS and confirmed by PRM. These data demonstrate that the DPHL supports DIA and PRM MS pipelines for robust protein biomarker discovery. DPHL is freely accessible at https://www.iprox.org/page/project.html?id=IPX0001400000.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks were spreading rapidly around the world in early 2020. This disease is within the category of "damp epidemic" and "damp toxin epidemic" in traditional Chinese medicine, with lung and spleen as the lesion focuses, while dampness and toxin as especially prominent properties. Through clinical observation, we found that dampness would often transform into damp heat during the development and evolution of the disease, and the "triple energizer" treatment was an important therapeutic method, eliminating pathogens through purgation and diuresis: for those with damp-heat accumulation toxin diffused to the triple energizer, we could use Ganlu Xiaodudan as primary prescription, which can spread the upper part, smooth the middle part and infiltrate the lower part, so as to provide a way out for the pathogenic factors and regulate Qi movement. For those with damp-heat in Shaoyang channel, we could use Haoqin Qingdantang to clear heat and promote diuresis, harmonize Shaoyang, eliminate damp-heat and epidemic pathogenic factor. For those with pathogen hidden in membrane source dampness trapping and hidden heat, we could use Dayuanyin to eliminate pathogens between interior and exterior parts, and regulate Qi movement. At the same time we shared three typical cases treated in Wuhan, and conducted an in-depth analysis in this study. Clinically, the method of elimination of pathogens through purgation and diuresis is mainly used in the early and middle stage of this disease. When the disease is still located in Qi system, it also can be applied to mild, ordinary patients and severe patients that have accurate syndrome differentiation. In such cases, it can effectively improve symptoms, reduce pathogenic toxin, truncate and reverse the course of disease, give way to pathogen, and avoid disease aggravating.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms of coldness, dampness and depression in the lungs often appear, including fever, fatigue, soreness, dry cough, poor appetite, and white greasy tongue coating. During the development of the disease, the damp toxin epidemic often enters the inner and generates heat, and the damp heat epidemic toxin blocks pleurodiaphragmatic sites, the triple energizer and lungs, with manifestations of chest tightness, shortness of breath, exacerbation after exercise, or high fever without bringing down, poor appetite, bitterness in mouth, fatigue, diarrhea, loose stools, and yellow and thick tongue fur. As the pathogen can go outward or enter more deeply inside to cause death at the moment, it is the crucial time to treat the disease. In this study, Haoqin Qingdantang was used to clear dampness and heat, reconcile Shaoyang channel and recover the triple energizer, detoxify the dampness fever epidemic toxin, and block the toxin inside, with a good efficacy. This prescription focuses on smoothing the Shaoyang gallbladder channel and the triple energizer, and regards the spleen and stomach as the acquired essence. In the prescription, Erchentang reconciles the spleen and stomach, elevates clear Qi and lower turbid Qi. Bupleuri Radix is added to increase its detoxification function, and Paeoniae Rubra Radix is added to circulate the blood and prevent pathogen from the blood. When the condition improves, Sweet Wormwood Herb and talc are often withdrawn, and Codonopsis is added to nourish the spleen and stomach, to strengthening vital qi to eliminate pathogenic factor. Based on the cases of COVID-19 treated in Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, this paper summarized some experience of applying Haoqin Qingdantang.

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) is a group of multi-factor brain development disorders. At present,ASD treatment is still based on behavioral intervention,for there are no specific drugs. ASD comorbidities are extremely common in children with ASD,and the presence of comorbidities has an important impact on the treatment and prognosis of ASD. In recent years,the etiology and behavioral intervention of ASD has become a research hotspot at home and abroad,but there are few studies on comorbidity and drug intervention. Therefore,we summarize relevant literatures at home and abroad, hoping to be helpful for clinical research on ASD comorbidity and drug treatment.

Objective: To design and synthesize APC/Asef peptide inhibitors and investigate the structure-activity relationship between peptides inhibitors and APC protein for exploring better inhibitors. Methods: Based on the best-class inhibitor we had found before-MAI-400, eleven peptide inhibitors were designed, which included the changes of N-terminal capping group, the first amino acid Ala, the fifth amino acid Leu and the last amino acid Glu. According to the results of fluorescence polarization activity detection system and molecular docking, the structure-activity relationship of peptide inhibitors was investigated. Results: Among the eleven peptides, MPI-11 had the highest affinity, whose half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 0.973 1 mmol/L. The capping group of peptide N-terminal with tert-butoxycarbonyl group reduced the activity slightly. The substitution of the Ala caused different results, changing into Trp, His and Thr definitely reduced the activity but the substitution by Tyr or Phe did not influence the activity too much. And introducing benzene ring into the side chain of Leu had few effects on activity improving. The substitution of side chain carboxyl for amide at the C-terminal glutamate had little effect on the activity. Conclusion: Among the eleven peptides, the capping group of peptide N-terminal cannot be substituted into small groups and Ala cannot be substituted into other amino acids.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of pseudohypoparathyroidism ( PHP ) inpatients in our hospital from January 2008 to December 2017 and to gain a better understanding of this disorder. Methods 18 inpatients diagnosed as sporadic PHP in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively, as regarding the clinical manifestation, laboratory examination and imaging data. Results 18 inpatients were diagnosed sporadic PHP consisting of 12 males and 6 females, with 13 adults and 5 child participants respectively. The medium age of onset was 14 (6-57), and the average age at diagnosis was (24.9± 14.7) years old. Initial onset of symptoms reported were: 12 patients complained of tetany, 3 reported convulsions, 1 reported numbness, 1 reported dysnoesia, and 1 were asymptomatic. Among them: 3 patients were found to have short distal phalanx, 7 displayed a round face, and 3 out of 15 adults were less than 155 cm in height. 12 patients had a positive Trousseau sign, 1 had an ectopic calcification. 11 were found to have intercranial massive calcifications by head computed tomography. Serum calcium was reported at (1.58 ± 0.11) mmol/ L and parathyroid hormone was (359.5 ± 146.6) pg/ ml. 3 patients were discovered to have hypothyroidism, 2 had been misdiagnosed with epilepsy, and 1 with encephalitis. Conclusions Tetany and intracranial calcifications were the most common signs of PHP patients. A number of the PHP cases in this study lacked typical Albright's Hereditary Osteodystrophy ( AHO) appearance. The age of onset and or duration of the disease varied somewhat in the different patient populations. The heterogeneity nature of the clinical manifestations of PHP makes it difficult to diagnose. It is therefore important to make accurate differential diagnosis of PHP to avoid misdiagnosis of the condition.