ObjectiveIn the realm of forensic science, dust is a valuable type of trace evidence with immense potential for intricate investigations. With the development of DNA sequencing technologies, there is a heightened interest among researchers in unraveling the complex tapestry of microbial communities found within dust samples. Furthermore, striking disparities in the microbial community composition have been noted among dust samples from diverse geographical regions, heralding new possibilities for geographical inference based on microbial DNA analysis. The pivotal role of microbial community data from dust in geographical inference is significant, underscoring its critical importance within the field of forensic science. This study aims to delve deeply into the nuances of fungal community composition across the urban landscapes of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi in China. It evaluates the accuracy of biogeographic inference facilitated by the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fungal sequencing while concurrently laying a robust foundation for the operational integration of environmental DNA into geographical inference mechanisms. MethodsITS2 region of the fungal genomes was amplified using universal primers known as 5.8S-Fun/ITS4-Fun, and the resulting DNA fragments were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq FGx platform. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) was employed to visually represent the differences between samples, while analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were utilized to statistically evaluate the dissimilarities in community composition across samples. Furthermore, using Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis to identify and filter out species that exhibit significant differences between various cities. In addition, we leveraged SourceTracker to predict the geographic origins of the dust samples. ResultsAmong the four cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming and Urumqi, Beijing has the highest species richness. The results of species annotation showed that there were significant differences in the species composition and relative abundance of fungal communities in the four cities. NMDS analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns of samples based on their biogeographic origins in multidimensional space. Samples from the same city exhibited clear clustering, while samples from different cities showed separation along the first axis. The results from ANOSIM and PERMANOVA confirmed the significant differences in fungal community composition between the four cities, with the most pronounced distinctions observed between Fuzhou and Urumqi. Notably, the biogeographic origins of all known dust samples were successfully predicted. ConclusionSignificant differences are observed in the fungal species composition and relative abundance among the cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi. Employing fungal ITS2 sequencing on dust samples from these urban areas enables accurate inference of biogeographical locations. The high feasibility of utilizing fungal community data in dust for biogeographical inferences holds particular promise in the field of forensic science.

Objective To investigate the levels and influencing factors for eye lens dose of interventional radiology workers, and to provide a basis for reasonable and scientific radiation protection. Methods Thermoluminescent eye lens dosimeters were used to monitor the left and right eye lens doses of interventional radiology workers in real time during different surgical positions and varying eye protection conditions. The annual eye lens doses for the operators were estimated based on their yearly workload. The differences in eye lens doses under different conditions were analyzed and the influencing factors were identified. Results For individual interventional operations, the range of personal dose equivalent H_p(3) of the left eye of interventional radiology workers was ( < MDL ~ 418.33) μSv, the median (Q₁, Q₃) was 9.29 ( < MDL, 40.79) μSv, and the mean was 40.79 ± 70.36 μSv. The estimated annual eye lens doses were 4.05 mSv and 17.80 mSv based on the median and mean values of the eye lens dose of a single operation multiplied by average annual frequency of operations per person, respectively. The left eye lens dose was higher than the right eye lens dose of the same operator (Z = −4.24, P < 0.05), and the dose of the right eye lens was strongly positively correlated with that of the left eye lens. The left eye lens dose of the first surgeon was higher than that of the second surgeon in the same operation (Z = −3.10, P < 0.05). The eye lens dose was influenced by operator position (χ² = 9.149, P = 0.002, OR = 8.343), eye protection (χ² = 4.619, P = 0.032, OR = 4.352), and air kerma area product (χ² = 8.032, P = 0.005, OR = 5.488). Conclusion According to the results of this study, a significant portion of interventional operators have eye lens doses that approach or exceed international occupational dose limits. It is recommended to pay attention to the operation frequency of the first operator and the air kerma area product of interventional operation, and strengthen radiation protection and dose monitoring for the eye lens of interventional radiology workers.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical characteristics of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) in children and to enhance the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 6 children diagnosed with DPB who were hospitalized at The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2011 to December 2019. RESULTS: Among the 6 patients, there were 2 males and 4 females; the age at diagnosis ranged from 7 to 12 years. All patients presented with cough, sputum production, and exertional dyspnea, and all had a history of sinusitis. Two cases showed positive serum cold agglutinin tests, and 5 cases exhibited pathological changes consistent with chronic bronchiolitis. High-resolution chest CT in all patients revealed centrilobular nodules diffusely distributed throughout both lungs with a tree-in-bud appearance. Five patients received low-dose azithromycin maintenance therapy, but 3 showed inadequate treatment response. After empirical anti-tuberculosis treatment, non-tuberculous Mycobacteria were found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Follow-up over 2 years showed 1 case cured, 3 cases significantly improved, and 2 cases partially improved. CONCLUSIONS The clinical presentation of DPB is non-specific and can easily lead to misdiagnosis. In cases where DPB is clinically diagnosed but does not show improvement with low-dose azithromycin treatment, special infections should be considered.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Bronchiolitis/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Haemophilus Infections/diagnosis*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Objective To evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on myocardial function in early spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)with layer-specific global longitudinal strain(GLS).Methods A total of 45 male SHR aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into control group(normal saline),dapagliflozin group[1 mg/(kg·day)],and losartan group[10 mg/(kg·day)].Fifteen male Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats at same age with normal blood pressure were subjected and served as blank control group.During 8 weeks of intervention,systolic blood pressure(SBP)was measured,and conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2DSTE)were performed and the results were collected to acquire the longitudinal strain of each layer of left ventricular(LV)myocardium.The parameters were compared among the groups.The pathological changes of myocardium were observed in each group of rats.Results Compared with the WKY group,LV ejection fraction(LVEF)and LV fraction shortening(LVFS)at week 8 were decreased in the control group(P＜0.05),but no such decreases were observed in the dapagliflozin group and the losartan group.The GLS of endo-myocardium(GLSendo)at the 6th week was decreased,and GLSendo,GLSmid and GLSepi at the 8th week were all decreased in the control group than the WKY group(all P＜0.05).But there were no statistical differences in the above 3 indicators in the dapagliflozin and losartan groups when compared with the WKY group(all P＞0.05).The pathological results showed that myocardial interstitial fibrosis was observed in the control group at the 6th week.Conclusion Dapagliflozin can effectively improve myocardial function in early SHR.

The telomere structure in the cell nucleus is crucial for maintaining the stability and functions of chromosomes.Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase,which catalyzes the elongation of telomeres using its own RNA as a template,thereby counteracting the shortening of telomeres caused by chromosome replication and cell division.Due to its overexpression in over 85％of malignant tumor cells,telomerase has emerged as a highly promising biomarker and a novel target for cancer therapy.In recent years,given the importance of precise quantification of telomerase activity in guiding medical diagnosis and treatment strategies,researchers have developed various high-performance telomerase detection techniques.Among these,electrochemical biosensing technique has cause much attention due to its high sensitivity,operational convenience,rapid response,and ease of miniaturization.This paper focused on the latest advances in electrochemical sensing technique for detection of telomerase activity,aiming to provide inspiration for designing novel telomerase activity detection strategies by elucidating three unique properties of telomerase primer extension products.

Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.

Four pyrazines were isolated from the n-butanol fraction of Hypecoum erectum L. by using various chromatographic methods, including MCI gel, ODS, silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified as hyperectpyrazin A (1), 1′S-(6-methylpyrazin-2-yl)-ethane-1′,2′-diol (2), 2-hydroxymethyl-6-methylpyrazin (3) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (4) by spectroscopy methods (1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, IR, MS, etc.). The absolute configuration of compound 2 was determined by using the Mo₂(OAc)₄ induced CD analysis for the first time. Compound 1 was a new compound, compounds 2-4 were isolated from H. erectum for the first time. Compounds 1-4 were evaluated for their inhibition against acetylcholinesterase and nitric oxide generation induced by lipopolysaccharide-RAW264.7 macrophage cells. At a concentration of 50 μmol·L^-1, compounds 2 and 4 displayed inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase with the inhibition rates of 44.40% and 43.99%, respectively.

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of autologous serum eye drops on persistent corneal epithelial defect caused by neurotrophic keratopathy (NK).Methods:An observational case series study was performed.Twenty patients (20 eyes) diagnosed with NK and persistent corneal epithelial defect were enrolled in Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021.The affected eyes were graded according to the severity of the lesion and received individualized comprehensive treatment with domestic autologous serum eye drops as the main therapy.The healing time of the corneal epithelial defect after treatment was recorded.The diameter and area of the defect were marked by corneal fluorescein staining.Changes in the diameter and area of the defect before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment were observed by slit lamp microscopy at 10×.Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity was recorded with a standard logarithmic visual chart before treatment and at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment.Changes in corneal nerve fiber distribution and silk length of corneal perception were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, respectively, before treatment and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment.Influences of corneal defect characteristics on the healing time were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University (No.TRECKY2021-110). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The corneal epithelial defect was 5.00 (4.00, 5.75) mm in diameter and 15.50 (12.00, 20.00) mm 2 in area before treatment.There were 45% (9/20) with corneal stroma edema and 35% (7/20) with endothelial fold.One diabetic patient with uveitis had a corneal epithelial defect area greater than 8 mm×6 mm and accepted additional corneal clearance and amniotic membrane transplantation after 2 weeks of autologous serum eye drops application.The other 19 patients received autologous serum eye drops therapy.All eyes showed complete recovery.The pretreatment duration of autologous serum eye drops ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months, with a mean of (39.55±25.34) days.The repair time of corneal epithelium ranged from 12 to 42 days, with a mean of (19.68±9.25) days.There were statistically significant differences in corneal defect diameter and area between before and after treatment ( χ2=43.130, 28.265; both at P<0.001). Corneal defect area and diameter decreased at various time points after treatment compared to before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in LogMAR visual acuity between before and after treatment ( χ2=84.229, P<0.001). LogMAR visual acuity improved at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment compared to pretreatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in silk length of corneal perception between before and after treatment ( χ2=55.295, P<0.001). Silk length of corneal perception improved at 4, 12 and 24 weeks compared to pretreatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Baseline corneal defect severity grade was positively correlated with healing time ( β=10.55, P=0.032). Corneal defect diameter and area had no influence on the healing time ( β=-2.02, P=0.501; β=0.49, P=0.199). Conclusions:Autologous serum eye drop therapy is safe and effective for persistent corneal defects caused by NK.Re-application of autologous serum eye drops is still effective in individual patients with recurrent corneal defects after discontinuation of serum treatment.It can be combined with surgery for intractable cases.