Computational approaches, encompassing both physics-based and machine learning (ML) methodologies, have gained substantial traction in drug repurposing efforts targeting specific therapeutic entities. The human dopamine (DA) transporter (hDAT) is the primary therapeutic target of numerous psychiatric medications. However, traditional hDAT-targeting drugs, which interact with the primary binding site, encounter significant limitations, including addictive potential and stimulant effects. In this study, we propose an integrated workflow combining virtual screening based on weighted holistic atom localization and entity shape (WHALES) descriptors with in vitro experimental validation to repurpose novel hDAT-targeting drugs. Initially, WHALES descriptors facilitated a similarity search, employing four benztropine-like atypical inhibitors known to bind hDAT's allosteric site as templates. Consequently, from a compound library of 4,921 marketed and clinically tested drugs, we identified 27 candidate atypical inhibitors. Subsequently, ADMETlab was employed to predict the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of these candidates, while induced-fit docking (IFD) was performed to estimate their binding affinities. Six compounds were selected for in vitro assessments of neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitory activities. Among these, three exhibited significant inhibitory potency, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 0.753 μM, 0.542 μM, and 1.210 μM, respectively. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and end-point binding free energy analyses were conducted to elucidate and confirm the inhibitory mechanisms of the repurposed drugs against hDAT in its inward-open conformation. In conclusion, our study not only identifies promising active compounds as potential atypical inhibitors for novel therapeutic drug development targeting hDAT but also validates the effectiveness of our integrated computational and experimental workflow for drug repurposing.

Objective:To train a deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) using a labeled data set to classify the metaphase chromosomes and test its accuracy for chromosomal identification.Methods:Three thousand and three hundred individuals undergoing surveillance for chromosomal disorders at the Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment of Birth Defects, Ningbo Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2013 to July 2019 were enrolled. A total of 3 300×46 chromosome images were included, of which 70% were used as the training set and 30% were used as the test set for the deep CNN. The accuracy of chromosome counting and "cutting + recognition + arrangement + automatic analysis" of the model were respectively evaluated. Another 80 images were collected to record the time and accuracy of chromosome classification by geneticists and the model, respectively, so as to assess the practical value of the model.Results:The CNN model was used to count the chromosomes with an accuracy of 61.81%, and the "cutting + recognition + arrangement + automatic analysis" accuracy of the model was 96.16%. Compared with manual operation, the classification time of the CNN model has been greatly reduced, and its karyotyping accuracy was only 3.58% lower than that of geneticists.Conclusion:The CNN model has a high performance for chromosome classification and can significantly reduce the work load involved with the segmentation and classification and improve the efficiency of chromosomal karyotyping, thereby has a broad application prospect.

Objective:To analyze the disease characteristics, diagnosis and treatment methods of venous pulsatile tinnitus treated by intervention of sigmoid sinus.Methods:Fifty patients (from Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University between February 2014 and July 2020) with venous pulsatile tinnitus treated by sigmoid sinus surgery were analyzed retrospectively. The tinnitus characteristics, imaging findings, surgical methods, intraoperative findings and postoperative tinnitus changes were recorded. The patients were followed up for 6-12 months. The sign rank sum test was used to analyze the difference in tinnitus grading before and after surgery. There were 50 patients with unilateral venous pulsatile tinnitus, including 49 females and 1 male. The age ranged from 17 to 67 years, with a median age of 44 years. There were 45 cases of right tinnitus and 5 cases of left tinnitus. The degree of tinnitus before operation was grade Ⅱ or above, including 4 cases of gradeⅡ, 11 cases of grade Ⅲ, 22 cases of grade Ⅳ and 13 cases of grade Ⅴ.Results:Thirty-seven cases were cured, 8 cases were ineffective (no change in tinnitus), 3 cases were markedly effective (tinnitus grade decreased by 3 in 2 cases, 4 in 1 case), and 2 cases were effective (tinnitus grade decreased by 1). The difference of tinnitus grade before and after operation was statistically significant ( Z=-5.70, P<0.05). Temporal bone CT showed 36 cases of sigmoid diverticulum (including 17 cases with sigmoid sinus dehiscence), 12 cases of sigmoid sinus dehiscence and 2 cases of absence of the temporal bone cortex abutting to sigmoid sinus. Thirty-five cases were performed with closure of sigmoid sinus diverticulum, 4 cases were performed with resurfacing of the sigmoid plate, 5 cases were performed with narrowing of sigmoid sinus, 4 cases were performed with simple opening of pre sigmoid mastoid air chamber, 1 case of opening was performed with pre sigmoid mastoid air chamber combined with narrowing of sigmoid sinus, and 1 case was performed with opening of pre sigmoid mastoid air chamber combined with closure of sigmoid sinus diverticulum. Conclusions:Venous pulsatile tinnitus is common in women. The common causes may be sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities such as sigmoid sinus diverticulum and perisigmoid bone defect. Imaging examinations are helpful for diagnosis. Venous pulsatile tinnitus can be treated with surgery.

Objective:To explore the risk factors associated with tibia fractures in children with congenital anterolateral bowing of the tibia (ALBT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 87 children diagnosed with ALBT at the Children's Hospital of Hunan Province from January 2012 to January 2020. The collected data included age at initial diagnosis, affected limb side, whether there was a concomitant type I neurofibromatosis, whether there was a concomitant fibular pseudoarthrosis, whether there was concomitant ankle joint deformity, whether there was bone cystic change in the region of tibial bowing deformity, location of the apex of the bowing deformity, diameter of the tibial bowing deformity on the affected side, diameter on the healthy side in the same plane as the tibial bowing deformity, angle of lateral bending deformity of the tibia, angle of anterior bending deformity of the tibia, occurrence of tibia fracture, history of trauma before fracture, location of fracture, and age at the time of fracture. The follow-up endpoint was January 2023. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal cutoff values for the angles of lateral and anterior bending deformity of the tibia and the ratio of cross-sectional areas. The correlation between the above factors and tibial fractures in children was analyzed by single factor survival analysis, and the indicators with statistical significance were included in multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis to determine the risk factors for tibial fractures in children with ALBT.Results:Of the 87 children diagnosed with ALBT, the median age at initial diagnosis was 14.0 months (range, 1-93 months), with 42 males and 45 females, 44 left-sided and 43 right-sided cases. The median follow-up time for non-fracture cases was 42.0 months (range, 1-124 months). At the last follow-up, 43 children had experienced fractures, while 44 had not. The average time to fracture-free survival was 70.3 months, the median fracture-free survival time was 55.0 months, and the median survival time without fractures was 42.0 months. The ROC curve results indicated a cutoff value of 25.55° for the lateral bending angle of the tibia and 32.63° for the anterior bending angle of the tibia, with no statistically significant significance for the cross-sectional area ratio [AUC=0.54, 95% CI (0.42, 0.66), P=0.530]. Single-factor analysis of fracture-free survival suggested that there were statistically significant differences in the intergroup fracture-free survival rates of four factors: lateral bending angle of the tibia (χ 2=7.06, P=0.008), anterior bending angle of the tibia (χ 2=8.96, P=0.003), history of trauma (χ 2=18.26, P<0.001), and tibial bone cystic change (χ 2=4.30, P=0.038). The results of the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that a lateral bending angle of the tibia≥25.55° ( HR=2.73, P=0.007), tibial bone cystic change ( HR=2.35, P=0.018), and history of trauma ( HR=2.65, P=0.004) were all positively correlated with fractures. Conclusion:The main risk factors for tibia fractures in children with ALBT include trauma, tibial bowing deformity with concomitant bone cystic change, and lateral bending angle of the tibia≥25.55°.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing the clinical outcome of complex high-risk indicated patients percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP-PCI) assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Methods:The clinical data of patients with CHIP-PCI assisted by ECMO in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2018 to April 2022 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into the survival and death groups according to the in-hospital survival status. The baseline characteristic, the results of coronary angiography, and the use of ECMO, blood products and drug were compared between the two groups. The 24-h rate of change of biochemical test indicators after the use of ECMO were calculated and the univariate analysis was analyzed using rank sum test. According to the univariate analysis, the variables ( P<0.05) were included in multivariate logistic regression to analyze the factors affecting the clinical outcomes of patients. Results:A total of 67 CHIP patients who completed PCI with ECMO were included. In the survival group ( n=36), the duration of ECMO treatment was 59 (41, 87) h, 9 cases received continuous renal replacement therapy, and 11 cases received IABP. In the death group ( n=31), the duration of ECMO treatment was 31 (19, 80) h, 12 cases received continuous renal replacement therapy and10 cases received IABP. The proportion of patients with chronic total occlusion lesions (CTOs) in the survival group was lower than that in the death group, the duration of ECMO of the survival group was longer than that of the death group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 24-h lactate change rate ( OR=2.864, 95% CI: 1.185-6.918, P=0.019), 24-h eGFR change rate ( OR=0.050, 95% CI: 0.003-0.871, P=0.040), 24-h D-dimer change rate ( OR=1.497, 95% CI: 1.044-2.146, P=0.028) and 24-h direct bilirubin change rate ( OR=2.617, 95% CI: 1.121-6.111, P=0.026) were associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusions:Within 24 h after CHIP-PCI assisted by ECMO, the rapid decline in lactic acid, D-dimer and direct bilirubin, and the rapid recovery of eGFR, are associated with the decreased risk of hospital mortality from CHIP.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of retinal Sigma-1 receptor antagonist N, N-diethyl-2-[4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy)phenyl]ethanaminehydrochloride (NE-100) in the formation of form deprivation myopia (FDM) in guinea pigs.Methods:Eighty-five 21-day-old guinea pigs were selected, and 36 of them were randomly divided into normal control group, occluded 14-day group and occluded 11-day group, with 12 in each group.The right eyes of guinea pigs in the occluded 14-day group were covered with translucent eye shield for consecutive 14 days, and guinea pigs in the occluded 11-day group were treated in the same way for consecutive 11 days plus 3 days without cover, and guinea pigs in the normal control group were not covered.The other 49 guinea pigs were randomly divided into FDM group ( n=10), FDM+ NE-100 6 μg group ( n=12), FDM+ NE-100 60 μg group ( n=10), FDM+ NE-100 600 μg group ( n=9), and FDM+ saline group ( n=8). The right eyes in each group received 100 μl peribulbar injection of NE-100 6 μg, 60 μg and 600 μg or saline once a day according to grouping.Ocular refraction and axial dimensions were measured using eccentric infrared photorefractor and A-scan ultrasonography, respectively.Corneal curvature was measured with keratometer.Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of Sigma-1 receptor protein, and retinal dopamine content was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.This study was approved by an Ethics Committee of the Department of Laboratory Animal Science of Central South University (No.2020sydw0084). The use and care of experimental animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals in China. Results:There were statistical significant differences in diopter and axial length among the normal control group, occluded 14-day group and occluded 11-day group ( F=147.81, 160.10; both at P<0.01). Compared with the normal control group, the relative myopia was the deepest and the axial length was the longest in the occluded 14-day group, then the occluded 11-day group, showing significant differences between them (all at P<0.05). In the normal control group, Sigma-1 protein was mainly expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), photoreceptor inner segment and the inner nuclear layer.In the occluded 14-day group, Sigma-1 protein staining was enhanced in RGCs and photoreceptor inner segment.Sigma-1 staining positive cells in the inner nuclear layer were increased significantly and were also seen in the inner and outer plexiform layers, especially in Müller cells, in which the expression levels of Sigma-1 receptor protein were significantly increased.Compared with the occluded 14-day group, the Sigma-1 receptor protein expression levels in the retina of the occluded 11-day group was significantly decreased ( P<0.01). The diopters of guinea pigs in the FDM+ NE-100 6 μg, 60 μg and 600 μg groups were lower than those in the FDM group, and the diopters of FDM+ NE-100 60 μg and 600 μg guinea pigs were lower than those in the FDM+ NE-100 6 μg group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). The dopamine content in the retina of the FDM+ NE-100 60 μg group was (0.74±0.09) ng/mg, which was significantly higher than (0.57±0.10) ng/mg in the FDM group, with a significant difference between them ( t=15.18, P<0.01). Conclusions:Sigma-1 receptor antagonist inhibits FDM formation, which may be associated with the elevation of dopamine content in retina.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of two Han families with familial vitreous amyloidosis (FVA) and the gene mutation.Methods:A pedigree investigation was performed.Two Han Chinese families with FVA treated in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to December 2018 were collected.General examination and ophthalmic examination were performed among 112 members of the two families.Peripheral blood samples were collected from 32 family members (15 patients in MZ001 pedigree, 7 patients in MZ002 pedigree, and 5 persons with normal clinical phenotype from each pedigree) for DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, transthyretin ( TTR) gene screening and sequencing.Vitreous biopsy following three-channel 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy was performed on the two probands in the two families.Vitreous specimens were sent for pathological examination.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (No.201412463), and written informed consent was obtained from all subjects before any medical examination. Results:In MZ001, there were 15 cases of the 63 members presented bilateral vitreous opacity at an average age of (43.6±5.8) years.No lesion was found in nervous system, cardiovascular system, kidney or liver in general inspection.The vitreous of the proband (Ⅲ13) was so sticky that could not be totally removed during vitrectomy.The vitreous specimen showed positive Congo red staining.Ⅲ13 had elevated intraocular pressure after vitrectomy and was diagnosed as open-angle glaucoma.Gene sequencing revealed Gly83Arg mutation in the exon 3 of TTR gene.In MZ002, 7 cases of 49 members had bilateral vitreous opacity at an average age of (50.4±5.5) years, among which, 3 cases appeared symptoms of limb numbness and decreased muscle strength.The vitreous body of the proband (Ⅱ11) in MZ002 pedigree was looser and easier to remove during vitrectomy than that of Ⅲ13 in MZ001 pedigree.Vitreous specimen of Ⅱ11 was positive with Congo red staining.Gene sequencing revealed an Ala36Pro variant in the exon 3 of TTR gene. Conclusions:Gly83Arg or Ala36Pro mutation of TTR gene can cause FVA.Different mutations can lead to different clinical phenotypes such as age of onset, clinical symptoms and complications of other systems.

Objective:To evaluate the surgical effect of repairing soft tissue defect of hand and foot with medial gastrocnemius fascia flap combined with skin graft.Methods:From January, 2018 to June, 2019, 10 patients were treated with transfers of free medial gastrocnemius fascia flaps combined with skin graft to repair soft tissue defect of hand and foot. The size of free fascial flap was 5.0 cm×8.0 cm-12.0 cm×15.0 cm. After successful transfer on the wound, the skin was grafted onto the fascial flap, and the donor site was sutured directly. The appearance and function of the recipient and donor sites were observed and the effect of the operation was evaluated. Sensory recovery was assessed by the standard set by British Medical Research Council (BMRC) at the last follow-up.Results:All the free medial gastrocnemius fascia flap survived. After 6-10 days of granulation tissue growing, the skin grafts were transferred and all survived. All patients entered follow-up for 3-9 months, with an average of 7.5 months. The tissue at the recipient sites were soft and wear-resistant without swelling or ulceration. According to the self-designed evaluation system of soft tissue defect reconstruction, 10 patients had score from 68 to 92 (average, 75.2) . At the last follow-up, sensory recovery was assessed by BMRC, 7 cases were excellent and 3 cases were good.Conclusion:The repair of hand and foot soft tissue defect by the free medial gastrocnemius fascia flap combined with skin graft has advantages in constancy of vascular anatomy of free fascia tissue, long vascular pedicle and for repair of various types of hand and foot defects. Skin of the recipient area is soft with good appearance without swelling after the reconstruction of fascia flap. It is a method of treatment in repair of soft tissue defect of hand and foot by avoiding the thinning of a flap in the second procedure.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the expression of HBcAg in hepatocytes on the serum level of HBcAb and seroconversion of HBeAg after antiviral therapy with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs). MethodsSerum samples and liver tissue paraffin sections were collected from 101 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who received antiviral therapy with NUCs in Nanfang Hospital and Panyu Central Hospital from January 2015 to June 2018. ELISA was used to measure the serum level of HBcAb, and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of HBcAg in the liver. The GEO database (GSE96851) was analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes in the liver of patients with HBcAg-positive hepatitis. The two-independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; the multiple-independent-samples nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and Dunnett method was used for further comparisons; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsThe expression pattern of HBcAg in hepatocytes was classified as absent expression, nuclear expression, cytoplasmic expression, and nuclear/cytoplasmic expression, and according to expression level, HBcAg expression was classified as grades Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ expression. HBeAg seroconversion rates after 96 weeks of antiviral therapy were 5.88%, 16.67%, 22.73%, and 24.24%, respectively, in the patients with absent expression, nuclear expression, cytoplasmic expression, and nuclear/cytoplasmic expression (χ2=4753, P=0.037), and HBeAg seroconversion rates after 96 weeks of antiviral therapy were 5.88%, 13.04%, 27.59%, and 26.67%, respectively, in the patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ expression (χ2=6.580, P=0.016). There were significant differences in the serum levels of HBcAb-IgM and total HBcAb between the patients with absent expression, nuclear expression, cytoplasmic expression, and nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of HBcAg (HBcAb-IgM: H=9.760, P=0.021; total HBcAb: H=21.46, P＜0.001), and there were also significant differences in the serum levels of HBcAb-IgM and total HBcAb between the patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and IV expression of HBcAg (HBcAb-IgM: H=18.80, P＜0.001; total HBcAb: H=26.03, P＜0.001). The analysis of differentially expressed genes in the liver showed that the expression of antibody-related genes was upregulated in the liver of patients with HBcAg-positive acute liver failure. ConclusionThe expression pattern and level of HBcAg in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes are associated with serum HBcAb, and the measurement of HBcAg may help to predict the efficacy of antiviral therapy with NUCs.

Objective:Analyze the hemagglutinin(HA) gene of influenza A strains in Liaoning Province from 2018 to 2019, calculate and evaluate the matching degree of influenza A strains and vaccine strains.Methods:49 influenza A strains from 2018 to 2019 were selected for sequencing, and the HA gene was analyzed for evolution; the mutation of antigen epitopes, glycosylation sites and receptor binding sites were studied; the matching degree between the epidemic strain and the vaccine was analyzed by pepidope model.Results:The 2018-2019 influenza pandemic season was concentrated in November-March, and the main pandemic strain was H1N1 pdm virus. Through evolutionary analysis, H1N1 pdm virus belonged to the 6B.1 branch, and the seasonal H3N2 strain was distributed in the 3C.2a branch, all of which belonged to the same branch as the vaccine strain this year. Some strains mutated at epitope and receptor binding sites. In some strains, glycosylation sites increased or were absent compared with vaccine strains, and no new glycosylation sites were present. The Pepitope model was used to evaluate the vaccine effect. H1N1 pdm virus vaccine of this year showed good protective effect, but the seasonal H3N2 vaccine strain showed negative protective effect for epidemic strain, which could not play an effective protective role. Conclusions:In 2018-2019, H1N1 epidemic strain in Liaoning Province had some variation, and the matching degree between H3N2 subtype epidemic strain and 2018-2019 vaccine strain was low. We should pay close attention to the gene variation of the epidemic strains and update the vaccine strains in time.