In order to solve the problems of difficult test, high cost and long cycle in the development of large-scale airborne negative pressure isolation system, the simulation analysis of negative pressure response characteristics is carried out around various aviation conditions such as aircraft ascending, leveling and descending, especially rapid decompression, based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The results showed that the isolation cabin could achieve -50 Pa pressure difference environment and form a certain pressure gradient. The exhaust air volume reached the maximum value in the early stage of the aircraft's ascent, and gradually decreased with the increase of altitude until it was level flying. In the process of aircraft descent, the exhaust fan could theoretically maintain a pressure difference far below -50 Pa without working; Under the special condition of rapid pressure loss, it was difficult to deal with the rapid change of low pressure only by the exhaust fan, so it was necessary to design safety valve and other anti-leakage measures in the isolation cabin structure. Therefore, the initial stage of aircraft ascent is the key stage for the adjustment and control of the negative pressure isolation system. By controlling the exhaust air volume and adjusting parameters, it can adapt to the change of low pressure under normal flight conditions, form a relatively stable negative pressure environment, and meet the needs of biological control, isolation and transport.
Aircraft ; Computer Simulation ; Aviation/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Hydrodynamics ; Air Pressure ; Equipment Design ; Pressure

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 determine the prevalence of GJB2 gene c. 109G>A (p.V37I) variant among infants with congenital hearing loss and analyze the initial audiological characteristics of children harboring the variant, compare the audiometric difference among individuals with various genotypes, and explore genetic and audiological manifestations of the affected families. Methods:One hundred twenty six infants diagnosed with congenital hearing loss at the Neonate Screening Center of Ningbo City from June 2021 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The neonates, in addition with members from 16 of their families, had undergone genetic screening for variants of 208 hotspot sites within 24 deafness-associated genes. For cases identified with monoallelic variants and concurrent hearing loss, the full GJB2 gene was sequenced. Meanwhile, a retrospective analysis was carried out on 23 children whom were confirmed to have hearing loss and the c. 109G>A variant by whole exome sequencing from March 2022 to December 2024. And 102 children who were excluded to have hearing loss and pathogenic variants by whole exome sequencing were selected as normal controls. Audiological features of individuals harboring the c. 109G>A variant were compared. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2023-009). Results:For the 126 infants with congenital hearing loss, prospective screening has identified 58 (46.03%) to harbor the c. 109G>A variant. These included 38 homozygotes and 16 compound heterozygotes. Retrospective review of the 23 c. 109G>A positive children has identified 15 as homozygotes and 8 as compound heterozygotes. Genetic testing of the 16 pedigrees has identified 7 homozygotes and 1 compound heterozygote. For the homozygotes combined ( n=53), 96.2% exhibited bilateral symmetric hearing loss, with 78.3% showing high-frequency sloping patterns, and 98.1% having a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. For the compound heterozygotes combined ( n=24), 95.8% showed symmetric loss, with 59.4% having high-frequency sloping, and 97.9% had a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. Both groups showed significantly elevated ABR/PTA thresholds compared with the normal controls ( P=0.000). The compound heterozygous group had higher ABR thresholds (43.3 ± 15.0 dB nHL) compared with the homozygous group (39.1±12.0 dB nHL, P=0.005). Conclusion:Infants harboring the GJB2 c. 109G>A variant primarily manifest as mild-to-moderate, symmetric, high-frequency sloping hearing loss. Nearly one-third of affected children have thresholds between 20 to 35 dB nHL, suggesting that ABR > 35 dB nHL alone may underestimate the hearing impairment in this population. Compared with homozygotes, compound heterozygotes with the the GJB2 c. 109G>A variant can confer a more severe hearing loss.

Objective:To provide preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for a patient with Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) due to IKBKG gene variant but without family samples through construction of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based haplotype by Long-read sequencing (LRS) technology. Methods:A female IP patient with a heterozygous IKBKG c. 1167dup variant but without family genetic data who sought genetic counseling at Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University in November 2021 was selected as the study subject. The IKBKG gene has a highly homologous pseudogene IKBKGP1. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the couple, and LRS was used to obtain informative SNP loci flanking the variant locus, enabling the construction of SNP haplotype with a long segment spanning from the non-homologous region of IKBKG to the variant site. Trophoblast cells were biopsied from blastocysts fertilized through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to determine the SNP information of the embryos. Linkage analysis with the parental SNP haplotypes was conducted to detect the carrier status of the embryos and exclude chromosomal aneuploidies. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate the result. A euploid embryo without the pathogenic variant was selected for transfer. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out by amniocentesis at mid-trimester to verify the result of PGT, and follow-up was conducted after the baby was born. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2023-094). Results:In total seven blastocysts were tested, and PGT results indicated that two embryos were euploid and did not carry the pathogenic variant. One euploid embryo was transferred, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 24 weeks of gestation confirmed that the status of fetal IKBKG gene, and its chromosomal status was consistent with the PGT results. A healthy male infant was born at 38 + 6 weeks of gestation. Conclusion:For IP patients with de novo mutation or without family samples, PGT with LRS can directly construct the SNP-based haplotype while avoiding interference from pseudogenes, providing an effective strategy for PGT.

Objective:To apply optical genome mapping (OGM) technique for the analysis of genetic etiology in two rare families with complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) and to provide precise reproductive guidance to them.Methods:Two Chinese families diagnosed with chromosomal rearrangements by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) between June and December 2023 at the Affiliated Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University were selected as the study subjects. In both cases, unbalanced chromosomal translocations were suspected. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood from the couple, amniotic fluid sample and aborted fetal tissue was subjected to combined G-banding karyotyping and OGM for comprehensive genetic analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethic No.: EC2023-094).Results:In family 1, the fetus was signaled to have abnormal chromosome 7 by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), prompting amniocentesis and CMA detection. In family 2, a pregnancy loss had occurred at 10 weeks′ gestation, and trio-WES was carried out. Both fetuses were found to harbor copy number variations (CNVs) suggestive of unbalanced CCRs. Further analysis with OGM has revealed that, in family 1, an unbalanced rearrangement involving chromosomes 7, 8, and 10 was carried by the fetus and the pregnant woman, which has formed der(8) and der(10) derivative chromosomes. In family 2, a maternal CCR was found, which involved chromosomes 2 and 13 with seven breakpoints, resulting in unbalanced fetal CNVs. After genetic counseling, family 1 opted to continue with the pregnancy, considering the woman′s normal appearance and inheritance of the rearrangement. For both families remained to have a risk for unbalanced rearrangements in subsequent pregnancies, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) was recommended.Conclusion:In both families, the OGM has precisely delineated the genetic basis of fetal CNVs and mapped the maternal CCR breakpoints, providing critical insights for genetic counseling and reproductive decision-making.

Computational approaches,encompassing both physics-based and machine learning(ML)methodolo-gies,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 psychi-atric 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 toxi-cological 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 re-uptake 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 con-ducted 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 provide preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for a patient with Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) due to IKBKG gene variant but without family samples through construction of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based haplotype by Long-read sequencing (LRS) technology. METHODS: A female IP patient with a heterozygous IKBKG c.1167dup variant but without family genetic data who sought genetic counseling at Women and Children' Hospital of Ningbo University in November 2021 was selected as the study subject. The IKBKG gene has a highly homologous pseudogene IKBKGP1. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the couple, and LRS was used to obtain informative SNP loci flanking the variant locus, enabling the construction of SNP haplotype with a long segment spanning from the non-homologous region of IKBKG to the variant site. Trophoblast cells were biopsied from blastocysts fertilized through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to determine the SNP information of the embryos. Linkage analysis with the parental SNP haplotypes was conducted to detect the carrier status of the embryos and exclude chromosomal aneuploidies. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate the result. A euploid embryo without the pathogenic variant was selected for transfer. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out by amniocentesis at mid-trimester to verify the result of PGT tests, and follow-up was conducted after the baby was born. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2023-094). RESULTS: A total of seven blastocysts were tested, and PGT results indicated that two embryos were euploid and did not carry the pathogenic variant. One euploid embryo was transferred, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 24 weeks of gestation confirmed that the status of fetal IKBKG gene, and its chromosomal status was consistent with the PGT results. A healthy male infant was born at 38+6 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION For IP patients with de novo mutation or without family genetic samples, PGT with LRS can directly construct the SNP-based haplotype while avoiding interference from pseudogenes, providing an effective strategy for PGT.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Haplotypes/genetics* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods* ; I-kappa B Kinase/genetics* ; Incontinentia Pigmenti/diagnosis* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics* ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVE: To apply optical genome mapping (OGM) technique for the analysis of genetic etiology in two rare families with complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) and to provide precise reproductive guidance to them. METHODS: Two Chinese families diagnosed with chromosomal rearrangements by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) between June and December 2023 at the Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University were selected as the study subjects. In both cases, unbalanced chromosomal translocations were suspected. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood from the couple, amniotic fluid sample and aborted fetal tissue was subjected to combined G-banding karyotyping and OGM for comprehensive genetic analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: EC2023-094). RESULTS: In family 1, the fetus was signaled to have abnormal chromosome 7 by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), prompting amniocentesis and CMA detection. In family 2, a pregnancy loss had occurred at 10 weeks' gestation, and trio-WES was carried out. Both fetuses were found to harbor copy number variations (CNVs) suggestive of unbalanced CCRs. Further analysis with OGM has revealed that, in family 1, an unbalanced rearrangement involving chromosomes 7, 8, and 10 was carried by the fetus and the pregnant woman, which has formed der(8) and der(10) derivative chromosomes. In family 2, a maternal CCR was found, which involved chromosomes 2 and 13 with seven breakpoints, resulting in unbalanced fetal CNVs. After genetic counseling, family 1 opted to continue with the pregnancy, considering the woman's normal appearance and inheritance of the rearrangement. For both families remained to have a risk for unbalanced rearrangements in subsequent pregnancies, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) was recommended. CONCLUSION In both families, the OGM has precisely delineated the genetic basis of fetal CNVs and mapped the maternal CCR breakpoints, providing critical insights for genetic counseling and reproductive decision-making.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Chromosome Mapping/methods* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Pedigree ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of GJB2 gene c.109G>A (p.V37I) variant among infants with congenital hearing loss and analyze the initial audiological characteristics of children harboring the variant, compare the audiometric difference among individuals with various genotypes, and explore genetic and audiological manifestations of the affected families. METHODS: One hundred twenty six infants diagnosed with congenital hearing loss at the Neonate Screening Center of Ningbo City from June 2021 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The neonates, in addition with members from 16 of their families, had undergone genetic screening for variants of 208 hotspot sites within 24 deafness-associated genes. For cases identified with monoallelic variants and concurrent hearing loss, the full GJB2 gene was sequenced. Meanwhile, a retrospective analysis was carried out on 23 children whom were confirmed to have hearing loss and the c.109G>A variant by whole exome sequencing from March 2022 to December 2024. And 102 children who were excluded to have hearing loss and pathogenic variants by whole exome sequencing were selected as normal controls. Audiological features of individuals harboring the c.109G>A variant were compared. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2023-009). RESULTS: For the 126 infants with congenital hearing loss, prospective screening has identified 58 (46.03%) to harbor the c.109G>A variant. These included 38 homozygotes and 16 compound heterozygotes. Retrospective review of the 23 c.109G>A positive children has identified 15 as homozygotes and 8 as compound heterozygotes. Genetic testing of the 16 pedigrees has identified 7 homozygotes and 1 compound heterozygote. For the homozygotes combined (n = 53), 96.2% exhibited bilateral symmetric hearing loss, with 78.3% showing high-frequency sloping patterns, and 98.1% having a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. For the compound heterozygotes combined (n = 24), 95.8% showed symmetric loss, with 59.4% having high-frequency sloping, and 97.9% had a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. Both groups showed significantly elevated ABR/PTA thresholds compared with the normal controls (P = 0.000). The compound heterozygous group had higher ABR thresholds (43.3 ± 15.0 dB nHL) compared with the homozygous group (39.1 ± 12.0 dB nHL, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Infants harboring the GJB2 c.109G>A variant primarily manifest as mild-to-moderate, symmetric, high-frequency sloping hearing loss. Nearly one-third of affected children have thresholds between 20 to 35 dB nHL, suggesting that ABR > 35 dB nHL alone may underestimate the hearing impairment in this population. Compared with homozygotes, compound heterozygotes with the the GJB2 c.109G>A variant can confer a more severe hearing loss.
Humans ; Connexin 26/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Hearing Loss/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Genotype ; Connexins/genetics* ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of Optical genome mapping (OGM) for the verification of chromosomal structural variations among patients undergoing assisting reproduction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on the clinical data of 12 patients presented at the Reproductive Center of Ningbo University Women and Children's Hospital from October 2022 to October 2024. All patients had undergone OGM testing due to suspection of structural variants by chromosomal karyotyping or a suggestive medical history. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: EC2024-148). RESULTS: Among the 12 patients verified by OGM, one (8.3%) was in keeping with the result of chromosomal karyotyping. Revised karyotypes were confirmed in seven cases (58.3%), including four with complex chromosomal rearrangements. Structural variation was excluded in three cases (25.0%). Of note, OGM has identified a previously undetected cryptic balanced translocation, i.e., ogm[GRCh38] t(7;12)(q36.3;q24.23)(157511190_157523142;119205703_119198409). CONCLUSION OGM can serve as an auxiliary diagnostic technique to conventional karyotyping and enable validation of suspected structural variations in those with ambiguous karyotype results or a history of adverse pregnancies. This can provide more precise genetic diagnosis for patients undergoing assisted reproduction and selection of clinical intervention strategies.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Karyotyping ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Chromosome Mapping/methods* ; Chromosome Aberrations