Objective To explore the feasibility and reference value of allogeneic lung transplantation and postoperative monitoring in miniature pigs for lung transplantation research. Methods Two miniature pigs (R1 and R2) underwent left lung allogeneic transplantation. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity tests and blood cross-matching were performed before surgery. The main operative times and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂) after opening the pulmonary artery were recorded during surgery. Postoperatively, routine blood tests, biochemical blood indicators and inflammatory factors were detected, and pathological examinations of multiple organs were conducted. Results The complement-dependent cytotoxicity test showed that the survival rate of lymphocytes between donors and recipients was 42.5%-47.3%, and no agglutination reaction occurred in the cross-matching. The first warm ischemia times of D1 and D2 were 17 min and 10 min, respectively, and the cold ischemia times were 246 min and 216 min, respectively. Ultimately, R1 and R2 survived for 1.5 h and 104 h, respectively. Postoperatively, in R1, albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) decreased, and alanine aminotransferase increased; in R2, ALB, GLB and aspartate aminotransferase all increased. Urea nitrogen and serum creatinine increased in both recipients. Pathological results showed that in R1, the transplanted lung had partial consolidation with inflammatory cell infiltration, and multiple organs were congested and damaged. In R2, the transplanted lung had severe necrosis with fibrosis, and multiple organs had mild to moderate damage. The expression levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 increased in the transplanted lungs. Conclusions The allogeneic lung transplantation model in miniature pigs may systematically evaluate immunological compatibility, intraoperative function and postoperative organ damage. The data obtained may provide technical references for subsequent lung transplantation research.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome in children with tic disorder; To explore its effects on the levels of serum neurotransmitters in children.Methods:A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. A total of 86 children with heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome of tic disorder in our hospital from March 2022 to March 2024 were selected as the observation objects and divided into 2 groups using the random number table method, with 43 cases in each group. The control group was treated with rTMS, while the observation group was treated with combined acupuncture on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated continuously for 8 weeks. The TCM syndrome scores were conducted before and after the treatment respectively. The Yale Comprehensive Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was used to evaluate the severity of clinical symptoms, and the levels of serum γ -aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected by ELISA. The adverse reactions during the treatment period were recorded and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 90.70% (39/43) in the observation group and 72.09% (31/43) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.91, P=0.027). After treatment, the scores of convulsion and peristalsis, flushed face and ears, irritability and anger, and red tongue with yellow coating in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t values were 3.80, 2.94, 3.26, and 4.22 respectively, P<0.01), and the scores of vocal tics, motor tics and the total score were lower than those in the control group (t values were 7.97, 5.23, and 6.44 respectively, P<0.01). After treatment, the level of γ-GABA in the observation group [(9.72±2.04) μg/L vs. (8.13±1.87) μg/L, t=3.77] was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and DA [(8.98±1.94) μg/L vs. (12.10±2.27) μg/L, t=6.85], levels of 5-HT [(15.20±3.87) μg/L vs. (19.93±3.97) μg/L, t=5.59] were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). During the treatment period, the incidence of adverse reactions was 11.63% (5/43) in the observation group and 9.30% (4/43) in the control group, without statistical significance ( χ2=0.12, P=0.725). Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with rTMS can alleviate the tic symptoms of children of tic disorder with heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome, improve the neurotransmitter levels and main TCM syndromes of the children, enhance the clinical efficacy and have good treatment safety.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical value of digital PCR (dPCR) for the prenatal diagnosis of common fetal aneuploidies. METHODS: A dPCR-based assay was developed for detecting trisomies 21, 18, and 13. A retrospective analysis was carried out on 173 amniotic fluid samples collected by the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Taizhou Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023. By using chromosomal karyotyping as the gold standard, the diagnostic performance of the multiplex dPCR system was evaluated in a double-blind manner. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Taizhou Hospital (Ethics No. K20250339). RESULTS: Chromosomal karyotyping has identified 59 cases of trisomy 21, 5 cases of trisomy 18, 2 cases of trisomy 13, 6 cases with chromosomal structural abnormalities or mosaicisms, and 101 cases with a normal karyotype. The dPCR results (Z-score cutoff = 4.0, CI = 99.997%) showed full concordance with karyotyping (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%, Kappa = 1). Among the 6 structurally abnormal or mosaicism samples, dPCR has accurately detected 4 cases, but mis-classified 2 cases of trisomy 21 with very low-level mosaicisms (3.3%, 6.9%, respectively) as normal. CONCLUSION The established multiplex dPCR system demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for common chromosomal aneuploidies, with results available within 24 hours. It can serve as an efficient supplementary tool to conventional chromosomal karyotyping, providing reliable support for time-sensitive clinical decision-making in prenatal diagnosis.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Aneuploidy ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Karyotyping ; Retrospective Studies ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Adult ; Trisomy 13 Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Trisomy 18 Syndrome/genetics* ; Down Syndrome/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for identifying maternal malignant tumors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on pregnant women undergoing Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) at Taizhou Hospital in Zhejiang Province from January 2018 to December 2022. The criteria included maternal copy number variations for at least two chromosomes. Clinical follow-up data were obtained for the high-risk population of maternal malignant tumors through telephone follow-up and review of electronic medical records. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: K20250339). RESULTS: Among 45 141 NIPT samples, 6 (0.013%) were suggested to have maternal malignant tumors. Follow-up information was available for 5 patients (83.3%). Two cases were diagnosed with maternal malignant tumors, including 1 myelodysplastic syndrome and 1 pelvic malignant tumor. Two cases were found to have multiple uterine fibroids and 1 was lost during follow-up. CONCLUSION The abnormal copy number indicated by NIPT may serve as an early signal for maternal malignant tumors. To establish a systematic follow-up protocol and multidisciplinary collaboration are conducive to achieving early diagnosis of tumors and improving the prognosis of patients. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that for pregnant women with unexplained copy number variations and suspected maternal tumors by NIPT, targeted tumor screening program should be implemented to optimize their clinical management.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Noninvasive Prenatal Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/diagnosis* ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a male with a normal phenotype and SRY gene-positive 46,XX/46,XY tetrazoospermia chimerism. METHODS: A male patient with an abnormal peripheral blood chromosomal karyotype detected at the Infertility Center of Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province on December 2, 2013 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the proband and his family members, together with a semen sample from the proband. Chromosomal karyotype analysis, red blood cell blood group identification, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene detection, and short tandem repeat (STR) microsatellite marker analysis were performed on the peripheral venous blood sample from the proband. Routine semen analysis, sperm FISH, and STR testing were also conducted. STR verification was performed on both parents. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: k20201009). RESULTS: The proband, a 37-year-old male, had normal secondary sexual characteristics and external genitalia development. The chromosomal karyotype of his peripheral blood sample was 46,XX[94]/46,XY[6]. ABO blood group typing was positive for Rh(D) type O and negative for Rh(D) type A, indicating the presence of two red blood cell populations. CMA result was arr[GRCh37](1-22)×2,(XX)×1. Autosomal and X chromosome SNP genotypes were BB-BB, AB-AB, and AA-AA, making it impossible to identify homozygous/heterozygous chimerism. FISH detection of interphase nuclei showed nuc ish XX[92]/XY[8]. Testing of the SRY gene was positive. STR analysis showed a single X peak (no Y peak) at the AMEL locus, 10/12 at the Penta D locus, and no third allele at other loci. Routine semen analysis were normal. Sperm FISH detection showed haploid nuclei nuc ish X[53]/Y[47]. Sperm STR analysis revealed an X/Y bimodal distribution at the AMEL locus and a 9/14 distribution at the Penta D locus, with no third allele observed at other loci. Above results suggested that the proband's blood and germ cell lines had originated from a heterozygous chimera formed by the fusion of two different zygotes. CONCLUSION Combined genetic techniques confirmed that the proband's peripheral blood AMEL genotype is X/X, while the sperm is X/Y. The Penta D locus showed a bi-allelic heterozygous pattern of 10/12 in the peripheral blood sample and 9/14 in the sperm sample, suggesting that the proband is a tetrazygotic chimera resulted from the fusion of 46,XX/46,XY zygotes.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Chimerism ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Sex-Determining Region Y Protein/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Genes, sry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping

Objective:To explore the expression level and clinical significance of serum Hsa_circ_0089761 in patients with cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 107 cervical cancer patients, 80 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients, and 60 normal control group were selected and analyzed from January 2021 to March 2023 at the Ninth Affiliated People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. We compared the levels of serum Hsa_circ_0089761, squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) among different groups, and analyzed the relationship between the expression level of serum Hsa_circ_0089761 and the clinical and pathological characteristics of cervical cancer. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of serum Hsa_circ_0089761, SCCA, and CEA levels for cervical cancer. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between serum Hsa_circ_0089761 expression levels and SCCA and CEA in cervical cancer patients.Results:The expression levels of serum Hsa_circ_0089761[(2.96±0.95) vs (1.83±0.74), (0.92±0.41)], SCCA[(9.63±1.84)ng/ml vs (2.28±0.65)ng/ml, (1.30±0.27)ng/ml], and CEA[(6.47±2.20)ng/ml vs (1.61±0.57)ng/ml, (1.15±0.12)ng/ml] in the cervical cancer group were significantly higher than those in the CIN group and the control group (all P<0.001), and the serum Hsa_circ_0089761 expression levels in the CIN group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.001). Cervical cancer patients in stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ, with low differentiation, lymph node metastasis, infiltration depth ≥1/2 of the muscle layer, positive SCCA, and positive CEA had significantly higher levels of serum Hsa_circ_0089761 expression (all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the specificity of diagnosing cervical cancer was highest (85.00%) for Hsa_circ_0089761 ≥2.25, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for diagnosing cervical cancer in combination with SCCA was highest (0.932, 95% CI: 0.874-0.993), with the highest accuracy (89.30%). The sensitivity of the combination of Hsa_circ_0089761+ SCCA+ CEA in diagnosing cervical cancer was highest (96.26%). The correlation analysis results showed that the serum Hsa_circ_0089761 expression levels in cervical cancer patients were positively correlated with SCCA ( r=0.775, P<0.001) and CEA ( r=0.613, P<0.001). Conclusions:The expression level of serum Hsa_circ_0089761 in cervical cancer patients is significantly increased, which is related to clinical and pathological characteristics. The combination of Hsa_circ_0089761 and SCCA detection has high value in the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Objective To discuss the occurrence and characteristics of hemolytic anemia induced by piperacillin-tazobactam to provide a reference for clinically safe drug use.Methods PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang Data,and VIP were electronically searched to collect case reports of hemolytic anemia induced by piperacillin-tazobactam from inception to December 2023,and statistical analysis was conducted on patients'basic information,drug use,hemolytic anemia,complications and outcomes.Results A total of 27 patients were included in 25 literature,including 14 males(51.85％)and 13 females(48.15％),aged from 4 days to 77 years old,and the time of first occurrence of hemolytic anemia ranged from 24 h to 18 days.The minimum hemoglobin level of hemolytic anemia was determined in 25 cases,ranging from 27 to 113 g·L-1,of which 14 cases were severe or extremely severe anemia(＜60 g·L-1).After drug withdrawal,antibiotic change,and symptomatic supportive treatment,the hemolytic anemia of 25 patients(92.59％)was improved or recovered.Among them,the anemia of 1 patient was improved after stopping piperacillin-tazobactam,but the patient died of multiple organ failure 15 days after drug withdrawal.The other two patients of anemia did not improve,and eventually discharged themselves or died clinically.Conclusion Hemolytic anemia is a rare adverse reaction of piperacillin-tazobactam,and the clinical symptoms have no obvious specificity.Hemoglobin levels should be monitored in clinical use,and once the abnormality is found,if it is clear that piperacillin-tazobactam is the suspicious drug,it should be promptly discontinued,and measures such as red blood cell transfusion should be taken if necessary.

We report a case of cushing's syndrome caused by ectopic adreocortical adenoma. The patient is a 37 years old woman, she was admitted to our hospital for " 2 years history of hypertension and weakness in both lower extremities for 2 months". Physical examination revealed: blood pressure 160/116 mmHg(1 mmHg＝0.133 kPa), body mass index 27.47 kg/m2, moon-face, increased fat in the neck and back, purple marks on abdominal skin, withⅡdegree edema of both lower extremities. Laboratory examination revealed that serum cortisol levels were elevated, loss of normal circadian rhythm, and serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was suppressed, the level of cortisol could not be suppressed in low dose desamethasone suppression test. Adrenal computed tomography ( CT) revealed a nodule in the right retroperitoneum, compression of the renal hilum, no bilateral adrenal adenoma and hyperplasia were found. This patient was diagnosed as corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome unequivocally. The clinical symptoms were relieved after successful laparoscopic retroperitoneum resection of the nodule. Pathological exam confirmed adrenocortical adenoma in ectopic adrenal tissue. Thus, we should consider the ectopic corticosteroid-secreting tumor in the context of corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome, especially when the imaging studies of adrenal revealed bilateral adrenal glands were normal or atrophic, which helped to make an appropriate strategy treatment.

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease, which mainly involves joints across the body, resulting in joint stiffness and loss of daily activity. Recent evidence suggests that numerous self-reacting T cells, including Th1 and Th17, infiltrate the synovium in RA patients, accompanied by functionally-compromised Treg. Iguratimod, a new small molecule with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, has shown curative effects in animal models of arthritis. In this study, we aimed to test the clinical effects of Iguratimodˊs on RA patients and its role in immunoregulation. Methods We examined the clinical effects of iguratimod on RA patients in a random controlled clinical trials and analyzed its effects on Th1, Th17 and Treg as well as their associated cytokines and transcription factors by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then t-test, chi-square test and rank sum test were used to conduct statistical analysis. Results Our results revealed that iguratimod therapy provided significantly greater clinical benefit [ACR20, ACR50, ACR70 reached 50%, 20%, 15% respectively in iguratimod treatment group, Z=-2.216,P=0.027] than placebo group with the reduction of Th1 and Th17 but increment of Treg after iguratimod treatment [Th1: week 0 (26.5 ±8.0)%, week 24 (14.2 ±7.3)%, P<0.01; Th17:week 0 (1.7±0.7)%, week 24 (1.3±0.4)%, P<0.05;Treg:week 0 (6.8±1.6)%, week 24 (8.9±2.9)%, P<0.05], which was statistically significant. Conclusion Our results provide theoretical and clinical based evidence for the impact of iguratimod on immunomodulation of RA.

Objective To study the relation between IL-8 gene-251A/T polymorphism and delayed Alzheimer's disease (AD)in Xinjiang Han people .Methods Eighty delayed AD patients served as a delayed AD group and 80 subjects undergoing physical examination served as a control group in this study .Distribution of IL-8 gene-251A/T polymorphism in two groups was detected by PCR-RFLP .Results The distribution of genotypes and alleles was different in two groups (P=0 .023 , P= 0 .010) .Further stratified analysis showed that the frequency of A allele was significantly higher in delayed AD group than in control group (OR= 1 .851 ,95% CI:1 .159 -2 .957 ,P=0.010) ,indicating that A allele is the risk factor for delayed AD .The frequency of AA genotype was significantly higher in delayed AD group than in control group (OR=3 .370 ,95% CI:1 .143-9.939 ,P=0 .023) ,indicating that the risk of delayed AD was 3 .370-fold higher in subjects with AA genotype than in those with TT genotype .The AT genotype was not related with the risk of delayed AD (OR=1 .944 ,95% CI:0 .994-3 .803 ,P=0 .051) .Conclusion IL-8 gene-251A/T pol-ymorphism is related with the risk of delayed AD .