OBJECTIVE: To identify the gene mutation types of 4 suspected β-thalassemia patients in Yunnan Province, and to analyze the genotypes and hematological phenotypes. METHODS: Whole genome sequencing was performed on the samples of 4 suspected β-thalassemia patients from the Dai ethnic group in a thalassemia endemic area of Yunnan Province, whose hematological phenotypes were not consistent with the results of common thalassemia gene mutations. The mutations of β-globin gene clusters were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger DNA sequencing technology. RESULTS: The 3.5 kb deletion in β-globin gene cluster (NC_000011.10: g. 5224302-5227791del3490bp) was detected in 4 patients' samples, of which 1 case was also detected with HbE mutation and 1 case with CD17 mutation. These 2 patients displayed moderate anemia phenotype, while the two patients with only the 3.5 kb deletion presented with other mild anemia phenotype. CONCLUSION Heterozygous carriers with rare 3.5 kb deletion of the β-globin gene cluster may develop mild anemia, compound mutations of the 3.5 kb deletion with other mutations may led to intermediate thalasemia with moderate to sever anemia. In areas with a high incidence of thalassemia, suspected patients should undergo genetic testing to avoid missing or misdiagnosing rare mutations.
Humans ; beta-Globins/genetics* ; Multigene Family ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Mutation ; Genotype ; Sequence Deletion ; Phenotype ; Male ; Female

BACKGROUND: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been shown to be positively correlated with cardiovascular disease in previous studies. However, it is unclear whether elderly people with long-term high AIP levels are more likely to develop coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between AIP trajectory and CHD incidence in elderly people. METHODS: 19,194 participants aged ≥ 60 years who had three AIP measurements between 2018 and 2020 were included in this study. AIP was defined as log₁₀ (triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). The group-based trajectory model was used to identify different trajectory patterns of AIP from 2018 to 2020. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI of CHD events between different trajectory groups from 2020 to 2023. RESULTS: Three different trajectory patterns were identified through group-based trajectory model: the low-level group (n = 7410, mean AIP: -0.25 to -0.17), the medium-level group (n = 9981, mean AIP: 0.02-0.08), and the high-level group (n = 1803, mean AIP: 0.38-0.42). During a mean follow-up of 2.65 years, a total of 1391 participants developed CHD. After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with the participants in the low-level group, the HR with 95% CI of the medium-level group and the high-level group were estimated to be 1.24 (1.10-1.40) and 1.43 (1.19-1.73), respectively. These findings remained consistent in subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS There was a significant correlation between persistent high AIP level and increased CHD risk in the elderly. This suggests that monitoring the long-term changes in AIP is helpful to identify individuals at high CHD risk in elderly people.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective In this study,we analyzed the transcriptome sequences of Kupffer cells exposed to simulated microgravity for 3 d and conducted biological experiments to determine how microgravity initiates apoptosis in Kupffer cells. Methods Rotary cell culture system was used to construct a simulated microgravity model.GO and KEGG analyses were conducted using the DAVID database.GSEA was performed using the R language.The STRING database was used to conduct PPI analysis.qPCR was used to measure the IL1B,TNFA,CASP3,CASP9,and BCL2L11 mRNA expressions.Western Blotting was performed to detect the level of proteins CASP3 and CASP 9.Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane cells.Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect changes in the ultrastructure of Kupffer cells. Results Transcriptome Sequencing indicated that simulated microgravity affected apoptosis and the inflammatory state of Kupffer cells.Simulated microgravity improved the CASP3,CASP9,and BCL2L11 expressions in Kupffer cells.Annexin-V/PI and JC-1 assays showed that simulated microgravity promoted apoptosis in Kupffer cells.Simulated microgravity causes M1 polarization in Kupffer cells. Conclusion Our study found that simulated microgravity facilitated the apoptosis of Kupffer cells through the mitochondrial pathway and activated Kupffer cells into M1 polarization,which can secrete TNFA to promote apoptosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has seen a surge in clinical research, basic research, and innovative device development both domestically and internationally in the previous 2023. This article aims to review the progress of TAVR in the past year from the perspectives of international, and domestic research development of application. It highlights new clinical and basic research findings both domestically and internationally, the emergence of new devices and technologies, and the development and use of TAVR in China. Finally, it provides an outlook on the trajectory of TAVR development in 2024.

Objective:To investigate the effect of feeder layer cells expressing interleukin(IL)-21 on the amplification of NK cells in vitro.Methods:The K562 cell line with IL-21 expression on its membrane was constructed by electroporation,and co-cultured with NK cells after inactivation.The proliferation of NK cells was observed.The killing function of the amplified NK cells in vitro was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and interferon-γ(IFN-y)release assay.A colorectal cancer xenograft model in NOD/SCID mice was established,and a blank control group,a NK cell group and an amplified NK cell group were set up to detect the tumor killing effect of amplified NK cells in vivo.Results:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane were successfully constructed by electroporation.After co-culturing with K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane for 17 days,the NK cells increased to 700 times,which showed an enhanced amplification ability compared with control group(P＜0.001).In the tumor cell killing experiment in vitro,there was no significant difference in the killing activity on tumor cells between NK cells and amplified NK cells,and there was also no significant difference in mice in vivo.Conclusion:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane can significantly increase the amplification ability of NK cells in vitro,but do not affect the killing function of NK cells in vitro and in vivo.It can be used for the subsequent large-scale production of NK cells in vitro.

Aim To explore the mechanism and mate-rial basis of Shenkang injection(SKI)in the treatment of renal fibrosis(RF)by bioinformatics and in vitro experiments.Methods The differentially expressed genes of RF were screened by GEO database.With the help of CMAP database,based on the similarity princi-ple of gene expression profile,the drugs that regulated RF were repositioned,and then the components of SKI potential treatment RF were screened by molecular fin-gerprint similarity analysis.At the same time,the core targets and pathways of SKI regulating RF were predic-ted based on network pharmacology.Finally,it was verified by molecular docking and cell experiments.Results Based on the GEO database,two RF-related data sets were screened,and CMAP was relocated to three common RF therapeutic drugs(saracatinib,da-satinib,pp-2).Molecular fingerprint similarity analysis showed that RF therapeutic drugs had high structural similarity with five SKI components such as salvianolic acid B and hydroxysafflor yellow A.Molecular docking results showed that salvianolic acid B,hydroxysafflor yellow A and other components had good binding abili-ty with MMP1 and MMP13,which were the core targets of SKI-regulated potential treatment of RF.Network pharmacology analysis suggested that the core targets of SKI were mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as Relaxin and AGE-RAGE.Cell experiments showed that SKI could significantly reduce the mRNA expres-sion levels of AGER,NFKB1,COL1A1,SERPINE1,VEGFC in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and MMP1 and MMP13 in Relaxin signaling pathway in RF model cells,and significantly increase the mRNA expression level of RXFP1.Conclusions SKI can play a role in the treatment of RF by regulating Relaxin and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways,and its material basis may be salvianolic acid B,hydroxysafflor yellow A and other components.

Objective To describe the current state of research and future research hotspots through a metrological analysis of the literature in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification re-search.Methods The data retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC),the core database of the Web of Science information service platform (hereinafter referred to as "WoS"),was used to analyze the trends and topic changes in research on forensic identification of human re-mains from 1991 to 2022.Network visualisation of publication trends,countries (regions),institutions,authors and topics related to the identification of remains in forensic anthropology was analysed using python 3.9.2 and Gephi 0.10.Results A total of 873 papers written in English in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research were obtained.The journal with the largest number of publications was Forensic Science International (164 articles).The country (region) with the largest number of published papers was China (90 articles).Katholieke Univ Leuven (Netherlands,21 articles) was the institution with the largest number of publications.Topic analysis revealed that the focus of forensic anthropological remains identification research was sex estimation and age estimation,and the most commonly studied remains were teeth.Conclusion The volume of publications in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research has a distinct phasing.However,the scope of both international and domestic collaborations remains limited.Traditionally,human remains identifica-tion has primarily relied on key areas such as the pelvis,skull,and teeth.Looking ahead,future re-search will likely focus on the more accurate and efficient identification of multiple skeletal remains through the use of machine learning and deep learning techniques.

Objective To compare the application value of three image post-processing techniques volume rendering(VR),multiplanar reformation(MPR)and curved planar reformation(CPR)in the identifi-cation of rib fracture malunion.Methods The types and numbers of rib fracture malunion in 75 pa-tients were recorded,and the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and Youden index of VR,MPR and CPR in the diagnosis of rib fracture malunion were compared.Receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn and area under the curve(AUC)was calculated,and the detection rates of three image post-processing techniques for different types of rib fracture malunion were compared.Results A total of 243 rib fractures were malunion in 75 patients.The diagnostic sensitivity of VR,MPR and CPR for rib fracture malunion was 52.67%,79.84%and 91.36%,the specificity was 99.58%,97.89%and 99.15%,the accuracy was 83.66%,91.76%and 96.51%,the Youden index was 0.52,0.78 and 0.91,the AUC was 0.761,0.889 and 0.953,respectively.Compared with VR,there were statistically signifi-cant differences in the number of broken rib end misalignment over 1/3,broken rib end overlap,bro-ken rib end angulation and intercostal bridge detected in MPR(P<0.05).Compared with VR,there was a statistically significant difference in the number of different types of rib fracture malunion de-tected by CPR(P<0.05).Compared with MPR,there were statistically significant differences in the number of broken rib end misalignment over 1/3,broken rib end separation and intercostal bridge de-tected in CPR(P<0.05).Conclusion The three image post-processing techniques are of great signifi-cance for the identification of rib fracture malunion.Especially CPR is highly effective in the diagno-sis of rib fracture malunion,and can be used as the main post-processing technique for forensic clini-cal identification of rib fracture malunion.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the branches and leaves of Toona ciliata Roem.var.pubescens(Franch.)Hand-Mazz.and their antitumor activities.METHODS The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel,RP-18 reverse phase silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC,the structures of compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antitumor activities were determined by MTT method.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as toonaolide D(1),toonaciliatin E(2),bourjotinolone A(3),(21R,23R)-epoxy-21α-ethoxy-24S,25-dihydroxyapotirucalla-7-en-3-one(4),(Z)-toonasterone C(5),(E)-toonasterone(6),3-epi-dyscusin C(7),(Z)-aglawone(8),(E)-volkendousin(9),8(14),15-isopimaradiene-2α,3α,19-triol(10),(-)-loliolide(11),cyclohexenone(12),pubinernoid A(13),quercetin-3-O-(4″-methoxy)-α-L-rahmnopyranosyl(14),5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde(15).The IC50 values of compounds 3 and 4 on K562 cells were 54.2 and 47.3 μmol/L,respectively,and the IC50 values on HEL cells were 47.3 and 61.1 μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUTION Compounds 4,7,10 and 11 are isolated from Toona genus for the first time,and compounds 2,15 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 3 and 4 show weak antitumor activities.