Objective:To report on a case of mosaicism involving trisomy 21, maternal uniparental isodisomy, and normal diploid cells in uncultured amniocytes, and to explore the discrepancies between conventional cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic techniques during prenatal diagnosis.Methods:A 30-year-old pregnant woman who presented to Boai Hospital of Zhongshan on June 27, 2023 has undergone amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation. The amniotic fluid sample was subjected to quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR), G-banded karyotype analysis, and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). The discrepancies between the results of each method were analyzed. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of Boai Hospital of Zhongshan (Ethics No.: KY-2024-001-01).Results:Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) at 12 weeks indicated a high risk of trisomy 21. QF-PCR of uncultured amniocytes revealed a pattern of trisomy 21. After one week of cell culture, G-banding analysis showed mos 47, XX, + 21[1]/46, XX[72]. CMA revealed a homozygous state of chromosome 21 in cultured cells, while uncultured amniocytes showed mosaic trisomy 21 with an estimated proportion of 50%. These findings suggested a complex chromosomal mosaicism in the fetus, which may result from a trisomy rescue event during early embryogenesis, leading to coexistence of three cell lines including trisomy 21, maternal uniparental isodisomy, and normal diploid cells.Conclusion:In prenatal diagnosis, discrepancies may arise between QF-PCR and conventional chromosomal karyotyping analysis, particularly in complex genetic phenomena such as trisomy rescue and uniparental disomy. For cases where NIPT indicated a high risk of trisomy 21 but G-banding karyotype analysis yielded a normal result, further molecular genetic testing using uncultured cells is recommended.

OBJECTIVE: To report on a case of mosaicism involving trisomy 21, maternal uniparental isodisomy, and normal diploid cells in uncultured amniocytes, and to explore the discrepancies between conventional cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic techniques during prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: A 30-year-old pregnant woman who presented to Boai Hospital of Zhongshan on June 27, 2023 has undergone amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation. The amniotic fluid sample was subjected to quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR), G-banded karyotype analysis, and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). The discrepancies between the results of each method were analyzed. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of Boai Hospital of Zhongshan (Ethics No.: KY-2024-001-01). RESULTS: Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) at 12 weeks indicated a high risk of trisomy 21. QF-PCR of uncultured amniocytes revealed a pattern of trisomy 21. After one week of cell culture, G-banding analysis showed mos 47,XX,+21[1]/46,XX[72]. CMA revealed a homozygous state of chromosome 21 in cultured cells, while uncultured amniocytes showed mosaic trisomy 21 with an estimated proportion of 50%. These findings suggested a complex chromosomal mosaicism in the fetus, which may result from a trisomy rescue event during early embryogenesis, leading to coexistence of three cell lines including trisomy 21, maternal uniparental isodisomy, and normal diploid cells. CONCLUSION In prenatal diagnosis, discrepancies may arise between QF-PCR and conventional chromosomal karyotyping analysis, particularly in complex genetic phenomena such as trisomy rescue and uniparental disomy. For cases where NIPT indicated a high risk of trisomy 21 but G-banding karyotype analysis yielded a normal result, further molecular genetic testing using uncultured cells is recommended.
Humans ; Female ; Mosaicism ; Pregnancy ; Uniparental Disomy/diagnosis* ; Adult ; Down Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Diploidy ; Karyotyping ; Amniocentesis

BACKGROUND:While antivenom has provided hope for treating snakebites,it is not always effective for local tissue damage caused by venomous snakes.Additionally,antivenom has several limitations,including the risk of hypersensitivity,immune reactions like"serum sickness,"and accessibility issues in some regions.Consequently,there is an urgent need to explore complementary or alternative therapies and therapeutic targets for snakebites in clinical settings.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of the 717 Jiedu Decoction on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in the local tissues of rats bitten by Agkistrodon halys.METHODS:SD rats were randomly divided into a control group,a model group,an anti-viper venom serum group,and 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups.Except for the control group,all other groups received an injection of 1.25 mL/kg of viper venom into the gastrocnemius muscle of the left hind limb to create a model.The 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups were administered a preventive oral gavage of 1.98,3.96,and 7.92 g/kg daily for seven consecutive days prior to the viper venom injection.The anti-viper venom serum group received a tail vein injection of 0.6 mL of antivenom serum two hours after the venom injection.Twenty-four hours post-injection,the pathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscle were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 proteins,as well as their mRNA in serum and gastrocnemius muscle,were evaluated using ELISA and qPCR.The expression levels of type Ⅰ collagen,type Ⅳ collagen,fibronectin,laminin,α-smooth muscle actin,transforming growth factor-β1,CD31,and vascular endothelial growth factor in the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared to the control group,the model group displayed significant local inflammatory cell infiltration,hemorrhage,muscle structure disruption,and myocyte degeneration and necrosis.The protein and mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in serum and gastrocnemius muscle were elevated(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while the mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was reduced(P＜0.01).The protein levels of type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅳ collagen in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),whereas the protein levels of laminin,vascular endothelial growth factor,and CD31 were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);however,there were no significant changes in the protein levels of fibronectin,α-smooth muscle actin,and transforming growth factor-β1(P＞0.05).(2)In contrast to the model group,the 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups and the anti-viper venom serum group demonstrated alleviated myocyte damage,with improved reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and hemorrhage.The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in serum and gastrocnemius muscle were significantly reduced(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In the high-dose 717 Jiedu Decoction group,the protein level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was upregulated(P＜0.05).Type Ⅰ collagen,type Ⅳ collagen,laminin,α-smooth muscle actin,and transforming growth factor B1 protein expression were elevated(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and there was a dose-effect relationship;vascular endothelial growth factor expression was decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),there was no significant difference in the expression of fibronectin(P＞0.05);the expression of CD31 protein was elevated in the 717 Jiedu Decoction low-dose group(P＜0.01).The results showed that 717 Jiedu Decoction could promote the production of α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor β1 by regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9 with tissue metalloproteinase inhibitory factor 1,and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitory factor 2,so as to make the synthesis of extracellular matrix greater than the degradation,maintain the extracellular matrix homeostasis,and then promote the repair of local tissue damage in pit viper bites.

BACKGROUND:While antivenom has provided hope for treating snakebites,it is not always effective for local tissue damage caused by venomous snakes.Additionally,antivenom has several limitations,including the risk of hypersensitivity,immune reactions like"serum sickness,"and accessibility issues in some regions.Consequently,there is an urgent need to explore complementary or alternative therapies and therapeutic targets for snakebites in clinical settings.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of the 717 Jiedu Decoction on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in the local tissues of rats bitten by Agkistrodon halys.METHODS:SD rats were randomly divided into a control group,a model group,an anti-viper venom serum group,and 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups.Except for the control group,all other groups received an injection of 1.25 mL/kg of viper venom into the gastrocnemius muscle of the left hind limb to create a model.The 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups were administered a preventive oral gavage of 1.98,3.96,and 7.92 g/kg daily for seven consecutive days prior to the viper venom injection.The anti-viper venom serum group received a tail vein injection of 0.6 mL of antivenom serum two hours after the venom injection.Twenty-four hours post-injection,the pathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscle were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 proteins,as well as their mRNA in serum and gastrocnemius muscle,were evaluated using ELISA and qPCR.The expression levels of type Ⅰ collagen,type Ⅳ collagen,fibronectin,laminin,α-smooth muscle actin,transforming growth factor-β1,CD31,and vascular endothelial growth factor in the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared to the control group,the model group displayed significant local inflammatory cell infiltration,hemorrhage,muscle structure disruption,and myocyte degeneration and necrosis.The protein and mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in serum and gastrocnemius muscle were elevated(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while the mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was reduced(P＜0.01).The protein levels of type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅳ collagen in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),whereas the protein levels of laminin,vascular endothelial growth factor,and CD31 were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);however,there were no significant changes in the protein levels of fibronectin,α-smooth muscle actin,and transforming growth factor-β1(P＞0.05).(2)In contrast to the model group,the 717 Jiedu Decoction low-,medium-and high-dose groups and the anti-viper venom serum group demonstrated alleviated myocyte damage,with improved reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and hemorrhage.The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in serum and gastrocnemius muscle were significantly reduced(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In the high-dose 717 Jiedu Decoction group,the protein level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was upregulated(P＜0.05).Type Ⅰ collagen,type Ⅳ collagen,laminin,α-smooth muscle actin,and transforming growth factor B1 protein expression were elevated(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and there was a dose-effect relationship;vascular endothelial growth factor expression was decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),there was no significant difference in the expression of fibronectin(P＞0.05);the expression of CD31 protein was elevated in the 717 Jiedu Decoction low-dose group(P＜0.01).The results showed that 717 Jiedu Decoction could promote the production of α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor β1 by regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9 with tissue metalloproteinase inhibitory factor 1,and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitory factor 2,so as to make the synthesis of extracellular matrix greater than the degradation,maintain the extracellular matrix homeostasis,and then promote the repair of local tissue damage in pit viper bites.

Objective:To report on a case of mosaicism involving trisomy 21, maternal uniparental isodisomy, and normal diploid cells in uncultured amniocytes, and to explore the discrepancies between conventional cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic techniques during prenatal diagnosis.Methods:A 30-year-old pregnant woman who presented to Boai Hospital of Zhongshan on June 27, 2023 has undergone amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation. The amniotic fluid sample was subjected to quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR), G-banded karyotype analysis, and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). The discrepancies between the results of each method were analyzed. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of Boai Hospital of Zhongshan (Ethics No.: KY-2024-001-01).Results:Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) at 12 weeks indicated a high risk of trisomy 21. QF-PCR of uncultured amniocytes revealed a pattern of trisomy 21. After one week of cell culture, G-banding analysis showed mos 47, XX, + 21[1]/46, XX[72]. CMA revealed a homozygous state of chromosome 21 in cultured cells, while uncultured amniocytes showed mosaic trisomy 21 with an estimated proportion of 50%. These findings suggested a complex chromosomal mosaicism in the fetus, which may result from a trisomy rescue event during early embryogenesis, leading to coexistence of three cell lines including trisomy 21, maternal uniparental isodisomy, and normal diploid cells.Conclusion:In prenatal diagnosis, discrepancies may arise between QF-PCR and conventional chromosomal karyotyping analysis, particularly in complex genetic phenomena such as trisomy rescue and uniparental disomy. For cases where NIPT indicated a high risk of trisomy 21 but G-banding karyotype analysis yielded a normal result, further molecular genetic testing using uncultured cells is recommended.

Snakebite is a common clinical emergency with the characteristics of acute onset,rapid changes in condition,and high disability and mortality rates.In addition to the common systemic and local tissue damage,snake envenomation can cause significant complications,including immediate and delayed effects.These complications are the main causes of disability and even death caused by snakebites,which seriously affect the long-term prognosis and quality of life.This article summarizes the symptoms,diagnosis,and treatment of snakebite complications from the aspects of blood,nervous,motor,endocrine,and reproductive systems and other aspects to provide references for effective and precise treatment of snakebite in clinical practice.

Inflammatory skin diseases(ISD)are characterized by persistent inflammatory cell infiltration and lingering and intractable skin lesions.At present,corticosteroids are the main drugs used in the treatment of ISD.However,due to the characteristics of recurrent and intractable ISD,long-term use of these hormone drugs may cause serious side effects in patients.In recent years,increasingly more studies are confirming that bee venom has significant anti-inflammatory,anti-apoptosis,anti-fibrosis,antibacterial,and other effects and could effectively treat ISD.In this paper,the main active components and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of bee venom are reviewed.The latest attempts to use bee venom for acne,atopic dermatitis,psoriasis,urticaria,and systemic lupus erythematosus are discussed,providing a reference for basic research and the clinical treatment of ISD.

Objective:To investigate the expression of IKBKE and NF-κB in pancreatic cancer, and to explore the effect of IKBKE on pancreatic cancer proliferation and migration.Methods:Immunohistochemistry staining was used to study the expression of IKBKE and NF-κB in tissues of 61 pancreatic cancer patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2012 to January 2017 and 13 normal pancreatic tissues. The correlations between those expression to clinicopathological features were analyzed. Lentivirus mediated RNAi was transfected into pancreatic cancer cells to block IKBKE. Western blot was performed to test the silencing effeciency; CCK-8 and plate clone and scratch assays were used to investigate the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer.Results:Immunohistochemical staining showed that 60 (98.4%) of IKBKE staining were weakly positive, positive, and strongly positive in pancreatic cancer tissues, which were significantly higher than normal pancreatic tissues(76.9% cases were weakly positive and the rest were negative), and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). All cases of NF-κB exhibited weakly positive expression and above in pancreatic cancer tissues, which was markedly higher than normal tissues (30.8% cases were weak positive and the rest were negative staining), statistically significant ( P<0.05). Survival analysis showed that patients with high level of IKBKE showed a shorter overall survival ( P<0.05). CCK-8, plate cloning and scratch assays showed that the proliferation and migration of were significantly decreased in IKBKE knocking down group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:IKBKE and NF-κB are highly expressed in pancreatic cancer, and IKBKE is correlated with NF-κB in pancreatic cancer. Blocking of IKBKE could distinctly inhibit the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer.

AIM:To investigate the roles of ClC-3 chloride channels in the regulation of cell cycle and the re-lationship between ClC-3 chloride channels and the cell cycle regulators , such as cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4, CDK6, P21 and P27 in the HeLa cells.METHODS:ClC-3 genes were silenced by the siRNA technique in the HeLa cells.The transfection efficiency of ClC-3 siRNA was detected by real-time PCR.The cell cycle distribution was ana-lyzed by the flow cytometry .The protein expression of ClC-3, P21, P27, CDK4, CDK6 and cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot .RESULTS:ClC-3 was knocked down by ClC-3 siRNA in the HeLa cells .Transfection of the cells with ClC-3 siRNA arrested the cells at G0/G1 phases, decreased the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6, and increased the expression of P21 and P27.CONCLUSION:ClC-3 plays an important role in the cell cycle of HeLa cells through the G 1-S transition point.ClC-3 may regulate the cell cycle progression by up-regulation of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6 expression and/or by down-regulation of P21 and P27 expression.

Objective To introduce a novel femoral distractor which is applied in close reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) with antegrade intramedullary nail for femoral shaft fractures.Methods From September 2010 to March 2015,85 patients with femoral shaft fracture were treated by CRIF with antegrade intramedullary nail in which our self-designed novel distractor was used.They were 64 males and 21 females,with an average age of 36.6 years.By AO classification,we had 32 cases of type 32-A,40 cases of type 32-B,and 13 cases of type 32-C.The intervals between injury and surgery averaged 7.5 days (range,from 1 to 16 days).The fracture was located at the upper shaft in 26 cases,at the middle shaft in 57 cases,at the middle shaft and ipsilateral neck in one,and at the lower shaft and ipsilateral intertrochanteric site in one.Their operation time,intraoperative blood loss,intra-and post-operative complications,and fracture union time were recorded and analyzed.Results Successful close reduction was achieved in all the 85 patients with no iatrogenic injury to major vessels or nerves.Operation time averaged 105.5 minutes;time for X-ray exposure averaged 25.8 seconds;intraoperative blood loss averaged 209.2 mL.The 85 patients received follow-ups from 8 to 24 months (mean,16.3 months).Fracture union was achieved in 83 cases after an average duration of 7.8 weeks (range,from 4 to 12 weeks),but nonunion occurred in 2 cases.One-year follow-ups revealed recovery of normal function of the affected knee in all,with no limb shortening ＞ 10 mm,rotational angulation ＞ 15°,or lateral or anteroposterior angulation ＞ 10°.No incision infection,deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism happened during the entire follow-up.Conclusion Our self-designed novel distractor can facilitate CRIF with antegrade intramedullary nail for femoral shaft fractures,and avoid the complications and inconvenience associated with a traction table.