Metastasis is the leading cause of death from cutaneous melanoma. Identifying metastasis-related targets and developing corresponding therapeutic strategies are major areas of focus. While functional genomics strategies provide powerful tools for target discovery, investigations at the protein level can directly decode the bioactive epitopes on functional proteins. Aptamers present a promising avenue as they can explore membrane proteomes and have the potential to interfere with cell function. Herein, we developed a target and epitope discovery platform, termed functional aptamer evolution-enabled target identification (FAETI), by integrating affinity aptamer acquisition with phenotype screening and target protein identification. Utilizing the aptamer XH3C, which was screened for its migration-inhibitory function, we identified the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as a potential target involved in melanoma migration. Further evidence demonstrated that XH3C induces cytoskeletal rearrangement by blocking the interaction between the bioactive epitope of CSPG4 and integrin α4. Taken together, our study demonstrates the robustness of aptamer-based molecular tools for target and epitope discovery. Additionally, XH3C is an affinity and functional molecule that selectively binds to a unique epitope on CSPG4, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Objective:To characterize the vaginal flora of pregnant women during the second trimester using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing.Methods:A total of 142 pregnant women were systematically sampled from a pregnancy cohort. Vaginal swabs were collected for full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing，and bioinformatics analysis was performed to characterize the vaginal microbiota and identify associated influencing factors.Results:Among the 142 pregnant women，the most frequently detected species were Lactobacillus iners（83.10%，118/142）and Lactobacillus crispatus（49.30%，70/142）. The majority of samples（90.85%，129/142）were classified as Lactobacillus-dominant vagitypes，with the Lactobacillus iners vagitype accounting for 48.59%（69/142）and the Lactobacillus crispatus vagitype accounting for 38.73%（55/142）. The vaginal microbiota was clustered into five community state types（CSTs）：Ⅰa，Ⅰb，Ⅲa，Ⅲb，and Ⅳ. The most prevalent CSTs were Lactobacillus iners-dominated CST-Ⅲ（51.41%，73/142）and Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated CST-Ⅰ（24.65%，35/142）. No samples were classified as CST-Ⅱ or CST-Ⅴ. A significant negative correlation was observed between Lactobacill and vaginosis-associated bacteria. Age，alcohol consumption，smoking，and vaginal treatments showed significant associations or trends toward significance with various Alpha diversity indices. Vaginal douching was associated with CST clustering，while obstetric history（primiparity，previous miscarriage history）was associated with vagitype classification. However，no significant associations were identified between maternal baseline characteristics and Beta diversity indices. Conclusions:Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals that the vaginal microbiota of pregnant women is dominated by Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus crispatus. Maternal age，lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption，and obstetric history are significantly associated with variations in vaginal microbiota composition.

Objective: To investigate the hematological characteristics of the rare McLeod phenotype associated with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, KEL and XK gene analysis, identification of unexpected antibodies, serological characteristics of high-frequency antigen antibodies, and transfusion strategies. Methods: Serological methods were employed to determine the ABO, Rh, and other blood group system antigen phenotypes of the child, along with screening and identification of unexpected antibodies. The titers of high-frequency antigen antibodies were measured using tube antihuman globulin and microcolumn gel card techniques. Kell blood group typing was performed using serological and genotyping methods, while XK gene sequencing was conducted via next-generation sequencing. Peripheral blood smears from the child's mother were examined for erythrocyte morphology. Results: The child's serological results were as follows: blood group O, ccDEE, MM, Le(a-b+), JK(a+b+), Fy(a+b-), and Kell phenotype K-k+, Kp(a-b+). Plasma analysis revealed alloantibodies anti-C、e, as well as a high-frequency antigen antibody anti-KL, with titers of 512 (tube method) and 2 048 (microcolumn gel method). Genotyping results showed KEL genotype K-k+, Kp(a-b+), Js(a-b+), while XK gene NGS identified a hemizygous deletion of exons 1-3 (XK N. 01), consistent with XK: -1 or Kx-(McLeod). The mother's peripheral blood smear exhibited prominent acanthocytes. Conclusion: The hematological features of this rare McLeod phenotype with X-CGD include weakened Kell antigen expression and a complete exon deletion in the XK gene. Early clinical attention should be given to the symptoms and laboratory diagnosis of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease in pediatric patients. XK genotyping for McLeod phenotype should be prioritized to guide cautious transfusion strategies, preventing life-threatening complications due to incompatible blood products.

Objective:To explore the neurophysiological features of the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in patients with early-stage bipolar disorder without manic or hypomanic episodes, and its role in identifying early-stage bipolar disorder.Methods:From 2009 to 2019, a total of 155 hospitalized patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) from Nanjing Brain Hospital were selected after at least 5 years of follow-up, 31 patients with depression transitioned to bipolar disorder(ctBD group) and 76 patients remained the diagnosis of MDD(MDD group) were recruited.Sixty-two healthy controls matched for age, gender, and education years were selected as control group(HC group). Resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) data in eyes-open state of all subjects were collected.Data were analyzed based on the fieldtrip toolkit on the MATLAB platform. The key brain area of the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit were selected. Inter-group statistical analysis were conducted on the spectral energy and power-correlated functional connectivity at the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands in the brain area of interest. In addition, the prediction model was constructed to early recognize bipolar disorder.Results:(1)There were statistically significant differences in the spectral energy of theta and alpha frequency bands in the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit among the 3 groups (cluster- F=120.50, 112.39, both P<0.05). The spectral energy of theta and alpha frequency bands in interest brain regions of prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in MDD group was lower than that in HC group (cluster- t=89.52, P<0.05). The spectral energy of theta band in prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in ctBD group was lower than that in HC group(cluster- t=105.82, P<0.05), and the spectral energy of alpha band in inferior frontal gyrus, orbitofrontal gyrus and caudate nucleus was lower than that in HC group (cluster- t=75.78, P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the MDD group and the ctBD group ( P>0.05).(2)After FDR correction, there were statistically significant differences in functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum among the three groups (0.26 (0.13, 0.34), 0.12 (0.09, 0.24), 0.27 (0.20, 0.37), H=13.51, P<0.05, FDR correction). The strength of functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum in the MDD group was weaker than that in the HC group and the ctBD group (all P<0.05).(3)Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the functional connectivity of beta frequency band between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum ( B=1.50, OR=4.50, 95% CI=1.73-11.70), the functional connectivity between the right orbitofrontal gyrus and the right amygdala( B=0.98, OR=2.68, 95% CI=1.18-6.13), the total HAMD score ( B=0.80, OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.36-3.67), the body weight factor score ( B=-1.99, OR=0.14, 95% CI=0.04-0.45), the anxiety factor score ( B=-0.99, OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.19-0.71), and sleep factor score( B=-1.14, OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.16-0.65)were the influencing factors for depression transitioned to bipolar disorder. Conclusion:The decreased resting low-frequency energy in the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit may be the common neural basis for the onset of unipolar and bipolar depression, and enhanced functional connectivity may be a potential neural circuit mechanism for depression transitioned to bipolar disorder. Functional connectivity combined with clinical manifestations is helpful for early recognition of bipolar disorder.

Objective To analyze the temporal changing trend of postoperative pneumonia(POP)monitoring data in a tertiary first-class cancer hospital in Fujian Province from 2018 to 2023,and provide reference for the effective-ness of implementation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)prevention and control measures.Methods The temporal changing trend of POP monitoring data of cancer patients in this hospital from 2018 to 2023 was analyzed by Joinpoint regression model,and the average annual percentage change(AAPC)was calculated.Results From 2018 to 2023,the POP incidences of all cancer patients and patients with different tumors in this hospital were as follows:3.46％in all cancer patients,4.77％,18.16％,11.50％,4.66％,0.85％,3.74％,and 0.46％in pa-tients with lung cancer,esophageal cancer,gastric cancer,intestinal cancer,gynecological tumors,hepatobiliary-pancreatic tumor,as well as head and neck tumors,respectively.From 2018 to 2023,the POP incidence of all can-cer patients in the hospital decreased from 5.47％to 1.73％,and POP incidences of patients with lung cancer,gas-tric cancer,and intestinal cancer decreased from 12.23％,14.93％,and 4.40％to 2.60％,3.73％,and 2.09％,respectively.Joinpoint regression model analysis showed that from 2018 to 2023,the AAPC of POP incidence of all cancer patients in the hospital was-19.78％,and the AAPCs of patients with lung cancer,gastric cancer,and in-testinal cancer were-23.69％,-27.30％,and-19.40％,respectively.The incidences of POP in all cancer pa-tients,as well as patients with lung cancer,gastric cancer,and intestinal cancer all showed downward trends,and the differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).According to age,the AAPCs of the ≤60 and＞60 year old groups were-22.02％and-20.48％,respectively,both groups showed statistically significant difference in trends(both P＜0.05).In terms of gender,the AAPCs of the male and female groups were-16.56％and-28.35％,respectively,both groups showed statistically significant difference in trends(both P＜0.05).From 2018 to 2023,Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a significant upward trend in the constituent of POP pathogens in cancer patients,with an AAPC of 6.92％,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidences of POP in some cancer patients in the hospital present significant downward trends,indicating that HAI infection prevention and control measures are effective,but it is still necessary to strengthen the meticulous management of the whole perioperative process.

To further investigate the molecular genetic characteristics of enzomatic nasal tumor vi-rus of goats(ENTV-2)in Yunnan Province,this study measured and analyzed the entire genome of ENTV-2 in Yunnan Province.The results showed that the complete genome sequence of the EN-TV-2 YN2023 strain(GenBank accession number:PP682590.1)was successfully obtained.The YN2023 strain has a total length of 7 307 bp and a typical structure of 5'-M5-gag-pro-pol-env-M3-3'.Whole genome sequence homology analysis showed that the nucleotide homology between YN2023 strain and 41 reference strains ranges from 85.3％to 95.5％.The whole genome evolution-ary tree indicates that the YN2023 strain is closely related to the prevalent strains in China,with certain genetic diversity and geographical clustering.The analysis of the gag gene evolutionary tree shows that the gag gene cluster of YN2023 strain is on a branch of the ENTV-2 gag gene,and YN2023 is clustered on the same small branch as enENTV-FJ1 and GDQY2017 strains,with the closest genetic relationship.The env gene evolutionary tree shows that YN2023 is on the same branch as GDQY2017,GDZJ2022,ENTV-2CHN1-6,ENTV-FJ1,and ENTV-FJ3,and is also on the same branch as GDQY2017,indicating a close genetic relationship.Recombination analysis showed that the YN2023 strain underwent a potential recombination event between breakpoint positions 6378-7478 bp,with the Chinese Chongqing strain enENTV-CQ1(OR669623.1)as the primary parent and the Chinese Sichuan strain BH(MT254062.1)as the secondary parent.This study enriches the genomic information of the ENTV-2 strain in Yunnan Province and provides data sup-port for the genetic variation of ENTV-2 in Yunnan Province.

Nanopore sequencing,as a representative of third-generation sequencing technology,is widely used in molecular biology research.It offers several advantages,including high throughput,ultra-long read lengths,real-time sequencing,and the absence of amplification and labeling requirements.This technology has been applied for the detection of various pathogens,genomic typing,structural variation analysis,and personalized treatment guidance,making it valuable for pathogen monitoring and medical research.This article focuses on the principles of nanopore sequencing technology,its advantages,and its applications in molecular biology and molecular medicine.The limitations of nanopore sequencing and its future development directions are also summarized,providing new perspectives for further research in this field.

Objective:To investigate the effect of childhood trauma on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior in patients with depression.Method:Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and China Biology Medicine dis were searched from inception to March 2024 for cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies on childhood trauma and NSSI in patients with depression. Two researchers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed quality. The effect indicators were the odds ratio ( OR) of childhood trauma and school bullying to NSSI in the depressed population and the mean difference ( MD) of the childhood trauma subscale scores between the depressed population with and without NSSI. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata17 software. Results:A total of 29 articles with 5 095 depressed patients were included. Childhood trauma was significantly associated with NSSI in patients with depression ( OR=2.91, 95% CI=2.01-4.21). Various forms of childhood trauma were related to NSSI behaviors in depressive patients: physical abuse ( MD=0.77, 95% CI=0.47-1.06), emotional abuse ( MD=2.99, 95% CI=2.10-3.88), physical neglect ( MD=1.17, 95% CI=0.47-1.87), emotional neglect ( MD=2.59, 95% CI=1.82-3.36), and sexual abuse ( MD=0.35, 95% CI=0.19-0.51). Additionally, school bullying among extra-family factors was identified as a risk factor for NSSI ( OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.46-3.18). Conclusion:Childhood trauma is a risk factor for NSSI behaviors in patients with depression. Different types of childhood trauma within the family, including various forms of abuse and neglect, and school bullying outside the family are related to NSSI behaviors in this population.

Objective To develop a scientific and reliable sensitive index system of nursing quality in enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients to ensure the effective implementation of enteral nutrition.Methods Literature on enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients were systematically retrieved from databases,such as BMJ Best Practice,UpToDate,Joanna Briggs Institute(JBI)Evidence-Based Healthcare Database,American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition(ASPEN),European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism(ESPEN),National Guideline Clearinghouse(NGC),Guidelines International Network(GIN),Medlive,the Cochrane Library,PubMed,Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature(CINAHL),SinoMed,and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and Wanfang Data.The initial questionnaire was formulated by using the quality evaluation model of"structure-process-outcome".The index system was established by using the Delphi method,and the index weight was determined by the analytic hierarchy process.Results A total of 11 papers were included,of which 5 were graded in A and 6 in B.The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of correspondence questionnaires were 100%(19/19),the expert authority coefficients was 0.864,and the Kendall harmony coefficients were 0.328 and 0.392(P<0.01),respectively.Consequently,a sensitive index system of nursing quality in enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients was established,which encompassed 3 primary indexes,10 secondary indexes and 28 tertiary indexes.Conclusion The index system developed in this study is scientific,reliable and clinically applicable.It conforms to the characteristics of clinical management and nursing,thereby it provides a reference for assessment of the nursing quality in enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients.