OBJECTIVE: To explore the prenatal and postnatal phenotypes of 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) and enhance clinical understanding of this condition. METHODS: Data were collected from 86 fetuses diagnosed with 22q11.2DS at four prenatal diagnostic centers across China between January 2014 and August 2025. Prenatal imaging findings, pregnancy outcomes, and postnatal conditions were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 86 fetuses, complete ultrasound data were available for 65 cases. Cardiovascular abnormalities were observed in 42 cases, thymic hypoplasia or aplasia in 7 cases, urinary system anomalies in 6 cases, nuchal translucency (NT) thickening in 7 cases, butterfly vertebrae, clubfoot, omphalocele and diaphragmatic hernia in 1 case each, cleft lip and palate in 2 cases, and ultrasound soft markers in 13 cases. The parents of 9 fetuses opted to continue with the pregnancy. Among these, 6 showed no significant ultrasound abnormalities and no related phenotypes postnatally, while the remaining 3 exhibited ultrasound anomalies with postnatal manifestations including developmental delay, immunodeficiency, and cardiac defects. CONCLUSION Fetuses with 22q11.2DS may exhibit various ultrasound abnormalities in multiple systems before and after birth. In addition to cardiovascular anomalies, they may also present with thymic hypoplasia or aplasia, thickened NT, and urinary abnormalities. Fetuses with thickened NT or thymic anomalies should be closely monitored, and thymic assessment should be included in routine prenatal imaging evaluations. For fetuses with 22q11.2DS who show no ultrasound abnormalities, the risk of developing severe phenotypes after birth is relatively low, but occult palate clefts and psychiatric disorders cannot be ruled out. Due to limitations in sample size and follow-up duration, above conclusions require further validation through large-scale prospective studies.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; DiGeorge Syndrome/genetics* ; Adult ; Male ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fetus/diagnostic imaging* ; Phenotype ; Infant, Newborn

Background Platelet parameters are important indicators of cardiovascular risk, and environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may impair platelet function through oxidative stress. Objective To investigate the differential effects of single and mixed exposure to PCBs on platelet parameters among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate the potential modifying role of a healthy lifestyle. Methods This study included 2249 participants (including 707 with NGT, 759 with IFG, and 783 with T2DM). Plasma PCB concentrations were measured using triple quadrupole gaschromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations between individual PCB congeners and platelet parameters. Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to evaluate the overall effects of PCBs mixture exposure on platelet parameters across different glycemic states, as well as its interaction with healthy lifestyle score (HLS). Results Generalized linear regression analyses showed significant differences in the effects of PCBs on platelet parameters across different glycemic states (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, PCBs mixture exposure was significantly associated with lower platelet counts (PLT) in individuals with NGT (b=−10.60, 95%CI: −16.48, −4.71) and IFG (b=−12.91, 95%CI: −18.90, −6.92), whereas no significant association was observed in individuals with T2DM (P=0.051). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) increased significantly with higher PCBs exposure levels across all three groups (P<0.05). BKMR analysis showed a positive association between PCBs mixture exposure and P-LCR, with the strongest association observed in the NGT group. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between HLS and PCBs mixture exposure, and a higher HLS attenuated the effects of PCBs on P-LCR. Conclusion Glycemic glycemic states may modify the effects of PCBs on platelets. Individuals with NGT appear more sensitive to PCBs exposure, whereas the T2DM state may attenuate this effect. Moreover, healthy lifestyles, including not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining moderate-to-high physical activity, a healthy diet, and an appropriate body mass index (BMI), may mitigate the adverse effects of most PCBs on platelet parameters.

Background Platelet parameters are important indicators of cardiovascular risk, and environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may impair platelet function through oxidative stress. Objective To investigate the differential effects of single and mixed exposure to PCBs on platelet parameters among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate the potential modifying role of a healthy lifestyle. Methods This study included 2249 participants (including 707 with NGT, 759 with IFG, and 783 with T2DM). Plasma PCB concentrations were measured using triple quadrupole gaschromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations between individual PCB congeners and platelet parameters. Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to evaluate the overall effects of PCBs mixture exposure on platelet parameters across different glycemic states, as well as its interaction with healthy lifestyle score (HLS). Results Generalized linear regression analyses showed significant differences in the effects of PCBs on platelet parameters across different glycemic states (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, PCBs mixture exposure was significantly associated with lower platelet counts (PLT) in individuals with NGT (b=−10.60, 95%CI: −16.48, −4.71) and IFG (b=−12.91, 95%CI: −18.90, −6.92), whereas no significant association was observed in individuals with T2DM (P=0.051). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) increased significantly with higher PCBs exposure levels across all three groups (P<0.05). BKMR analysis showed a positive association between PCBs mixture exposure and P-LCR, with the strongest association observed in the NGT group. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between HLS and PCBs mixture exposure, and a higher HLS attenuated the effects of PCBs on P-LCR. Conclusion Glycemic glycemic states may modify the effects of PCBs on platelets. Individuals with NGT appear more sensitive to PCBs exposure, whereas the T2DM state may attenuate this effect. Moreover, healthy lifestyles, including not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining moderate-to-high physical activity, a healthy diet, and an appropriate body mass index (BMI), may mitigate the adverse effects of most PCBs on platelet parameters.

The recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) can be used for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) preparation before ¹³¹I therapy, and follow-up. Since its approval by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, rhTSH has been clinically used in European countries, the United States, and other countries for nearly 30 years. In April 2024, China’s first independently developed rhTSH agent was approved. Based on clinical experience and evidence from domestic and international studies, an expert consensus on the application of rhTSH has been developed following thorough consultations among experts. The consensus offers evidence-based recommendations to guide the appropriate use of rhTSH in clinical practice.

In August 2025, the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and more than ten other academic organizations jointly released an updated guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults. Integrating the latest clinical evidence, the new guideline reflects a risk-based approach centered on "comprehensive blood pressure control" and "lifespan management." It provides more proactive recommendations on hypertension diagnosis criteria, intensive blood pressure-lowering strategies, secondary hypertension screening, antihypertensive pharmacotherapy and device-based therapies. This updated guideline holds significant implications for refining hypertension prevention and management strategies in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the steady-state mechanism of interconversion between the SMN1 and SMN2 genes in a normal population. METHODS: Fluorescence PCR capillary electrophoresis was employed to assess gene conversion and copy number variation of SMN1 and SMN2 in a cohort of 1,133 healthy individuals (including 256 males and 877 females) recruited between 2019 and 2023. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2019-134). RESULTS: No significant gender difference was observed in the single copy carrying rate of SMN1. The probability of conversion from SMN1 to SMN2 was determined to be 3.2% for females, 2.7% for males, and 3.1% for the overall population. The probability of conversion from SMN2 to SMN1 was found to be 5.5% for females, 6.3% for males, and 5.6% for the overall population. No statistically significant difference was found in the conversion probability between different genders (P > 0.05). Among the 99 cases of gene conversion, the SMN1 gene predominantly exhibited a copy number of 2 (97.0%), with the remainder having 3 copies (3%). The SMN2 gene primarily showed a copy number of 2 (72.7%), with the rest having 1 copy (27.3%). CONCLUSION Gene conversion tends to normalize the copy numbers of both SMN1 and SMN2 genes towards 2. However, SMN1 exhibited a higher priority over SMN2, causing the copy numbers approaching two.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Survival of Motor Neuron 2 Protein/genetics* ; Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics* ; Gene Conversion ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Gene Dosage

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a Chinese pedigree affected with Non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness type 12 (NFNB12), validate the function of candidate variants, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A NFNB12 pedigree presented at Henan Provincial People's Hospital in February 2023 was selected as the study subject. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of the pedigree members. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the level of mRNA transcription in the peripheral blood samples from the pedigree members, and protein expression was evaluated with Western blotting assay. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2019-134). RESULTS: WES analysis revealed that the proband has harbored homozygous c.6688delG (p.Ala2230Profs*4) variant of the CDH23 gene, for which both parents were identified as heterozygous carriers. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the sole presence of the variant mRNA in the proband, and both the variant and wild-type mRNAs in both parents. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis indicated that the proband had exclusively expressed the truncated CDH23 protein, while both the normal and truncated forms of the protein were noted in her parents. CONCLUSION The c.6688delG (p.Ala2230Profs*4) variant of the CDH23 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of NFNB12 in this pedigree. The loss of function of the CDH23 gene resulting from this variant is not related with nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, but rather production of a truncated protein. Above finding has not only enriched the mutational spectrum of the CDH23 gene and offered a method for investigating the function of its variants using peripheral blood samples, but also delineated the molecular basis for the loss of function, which has provided crucial evidence for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this family.
Humans ; Pedigree ; Male ; Female ; Asian People/genetics* ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Deafness/genetics* ; Mutation ; China ; Adult ; Cadherin Related Proteins ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; East Asian People

Objective To investigate the value of CT radiomics for predicting effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)for locally advanced gastric cancer(LAGC).Methods Totally 325 LAGC patients who received NACT were retrospectively enrolled,among them 247 were taken as training set,while the rest 78 were taken as validation set.Tumor regression scale(TRG)was evaluated according to postoperation pathology after NACT,and the efficacy of NACT was evaluated.Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze and screen clinical predictors of effect of NACT,and clinical model was constructed.Radiomics features were extracted based on venous phase enhanced CT pre-and post-NACT,and Delta radiomics features(i.e.the ratio of the difference of pre-and post-NACT radiomics features and pre-NACT radiomics features)were calculated.The best features were screened based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features to construct radiomics labels,the optimal label was screened and used to construct combined model through combining clinical model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate predicting efficiency of the above models.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed to explore the clinical value of each model.Results In training set,significant effect was found in 67 cases,but not in 180 cases,while in validation set,significant effect was found in 18 cases but not in 60 cases.Borrmann classification of LAGC before NACT was the clinical predictor(P=0.031),and clinical model was constructed,which had AUC of 0.577 and 0.520 in training and validation sets,respectively.Based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features,19,14 and 17 best features were selected,and AUC of the established radiomics labels of Pre-Rad,Post-Rad and Delta-Rad in training set was 0.672,0.796 and 0.789,while in validation set was 0.558,0.805 and 0.666,respectively.Post-Rad was the optimal label,which was used to construct combined model.AUC of the obtained combined model in training and validation sets was 0.824 and 0.818,respectively,both higher than that of clinical model(both P＜0.001)but not different with that of Post-Rad(both P＞0.05).Taken 0.4 to 0.7 as the threshold,the combined model had higher clinical net benefit than the other two.Conclusion Venous CT radiomics could effectively predict effect of NACT for LAGC.Combining with clinical features could improve its predictive efficacy.

Objective To investigate the value of CT radiomics for predicting effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)for locally advanced gastric cancer(LAGC).Methods Totally 325 LAGC patients who received NACT were retrospectively enrolled,among them 247 were taken as training set,while the rest 78 were taken as validation set.Tumor regression scale(TRG)was evaluated according to postoperation pathology after NACT,and the efficacy of NACT was evaluated.Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze and screen clinical predictors of effect of NACT,and clinical model was constructed.Radiomics features were extracted based on venous phase enhanced CT pre-and post-NACT,and Delta radiomics features(i.e.the ratio of the difference of pre-and post-NACT radiomics features and pre-NACT radiomics features)were calculated.The best features were screened based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features to construct radiomics labels,the optimal label was screened and used to construct combined model through combining clinical model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate predicting efficiency of the above models.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed to explore the clinical value of each model.Results In training set,significant effect was found in 67 cases,but not in 180 cases,while in validation set,significant effect was found in 18 cases but not in 60 cases.Borrmann classification of LAGC before NACT was the clinical predictor(P=0.031),and clinical model was constructed,which had AUC of 0.577 and 0.520 in training and validation sets,respectively.Based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features,19,14 and 17 best features were selected,and AUC of the established radiomics labels of Pre-Rad,Post-Rad and Delta-Rad in training set was 0.672,0.796 and 0.789,while in validation set was 0.558,0.805 and 0.666,respectively.Post-Rad was the optimal label,which was used to construct combined model.AUC of the obtained combined model in training and validation sets was 0.824 and 0.818,respectively,both higher than that of clinical model(both P＜0.001)but not different with that of Post-Rad(both P＞0.05).Taken 0.4 to 0.7 as the threshold,the combined model had higher clinical net benefit than the other two.Conclusion Venous CT radiomics could effectively predict effect of NACT for LAGC.Combining with clinical features could improve its predictive efficacy.

Although olaparib has demonstrated substantial clinical benefits as maintenance therapy in BRCA mutation-carrying women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, its effectiveness in patients without BRCA mutations remains poorly investigated. This study aims to provide the first evidence on the efficacy of mono-olaparib maintenance therapy in such context. Using real-world data from 11 high-volume tertiary care centers in China, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of olaparib as first-line maintenance therapy in patients with BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer. The primary objective was 1-year progression-free survival rate. Safety was also evaluated. Fifty patients with a median age of 54 years were included, and all of them tested negative for BRCA mutations but positive for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). The 1-year PFS rate was 75.2% (95% CI, 63.4 to 89.2), and the median PFS was 21.0 months (95% CI, 13.8 to 28.2). All the patients received olaparib at a starting dose of 300 mg twice daily, and none experienced serious adverse events (AEs). Eight (16%) patients had dose adjustment, but none discontinued olaparib treatment due to AEs. We provide the first evidence that mono-olaparib could be a safe and effective maintenance treatment option for patients newly diagnosed with HRD-positive/BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer.
Humans ; Female ; Phthalazines/adverse effects* ; Piperazines/administration & dosage* ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Aged ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/administration & dosage* ; China ; Maintenance Chemotherapy ; BRCA2 Protein/genetics* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Progression-Free Survival ; BRCA1 Protein/genetics*