Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

In recent years, the spread of clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae infection has seriously affected the yield and quality of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.. The cascade of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), a highly conserved signaling pathway, plays an important role in plant responses to both biotic and abiotic stress conditions. To mine the MAPK genes related to clubroot disease resistance in B. juncea, we conducted a genome-wide analysis on this vegetable, and we analyzed the phylogenetic evolution and gene structure of the MAPK gene family in mustard. The 66 BjuMAPK genes identified by screening the whole genome sequence of B. juncea were unevenly distributed on 17 chromosomes. At the genomic scale, tandem repeats led to an increase in the number of MAPK genes in B. juncea. It was found that members of the same subfamily had similar gene structures, and there were great differences among different subfamilies. These predicted cis-acting elements were related to plant hormones, stress resistance, and plant growth and development. The expression of BjuMAPK02, BjuMAPK15, BjuMAPK17, and BjuMAPK19 were down-regulated or up-regulated in response to P. brassicae infection. The above results lay a theoretical foundation for further studying the functions of BjuMAPK genes in B. juncea in response to the biotic stress caused by clubroot disease.
Mustard Plant/parasitology* ; Plasmodiophorida/pathogenicity* ; Plant Diseases/genetics* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Disease Resistance/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genome, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of the split formulas of Biyuan Heji(BYHJ)on paranasal sinus mucosal in-flammation in rats with acute rhinosinusitis(ARS)based on the pathogenesis of"wind-cold transforming into lung-heat".METHODS Unilateral nasal cavity occlusion combined with nasal dripping of Staphylococcus aureus were performed to establish a rat model of ARS.SD rats were randomly divided into blank,model,BYHJ(wind-cold removal+lung-heat removal),lung-heat removal,wind-cold removal,and positive drug groups,with 6 rats in each group.The rats were treated with the corresponding drugs for 7 d and then the samples were collected.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat paranasal sinus mucosa tissues,ELISA was employed to determine the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,IL-8,IL-9,IL-10,and IL-12 in serum,immunohistochemis-try(IHC)was adopted to measure the protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM-1)in paranasal sinus mucosa tissues,and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated p38 mito-gen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK),nuclear transcription factor-κB p50(NF-κB p50),and NF-κB p65 in paranasal sinus mucosa tissues.RESULTS The acute sinusitis rat inflammation model was successfully established.Compared with the model group,the water drinking,diet eating,and body weight of rats in the BYHJ group,wind-cold removal,lung-heat removal,and positive drug groups were significantly improved,the aggregation of inflammatory cells in the paranasal sinus mucosal tissue was reduced,and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-9,and IL-12 in the serum were significantly reduced(P<0.01),IL-10 content significantly in-creased(P<0.01),the protein expression of TNF-α,ICAM-1,p38 MAPK,NF-κB p50,and NF-κB p65 in the paranasal sinus mucosa was significantly decreased(P<0.01).The comparison between various traditional Chinese medicine groups showed that the decrease of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-9,IL-12,TNF-α,ICAM-1,p38 MAPK,NF-κB p50,and NF-κB p65 and the increase of IL-10 in the BYHJ group were better than those in the split formula groups(P<0.01),and the lung-heat removal group was better than the wind-cold removal group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION BYHJ and its split formulas can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response in rats with ARS.

Objective:This study aimed to construct a prediction model for diagnosis of proliferative lupus nephritis based on a machine learning algorithm. Additionally, a user-friendly platform was developed to propose a non-invasive method to assist the pathologic classification of lupus nephritis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical and pathological data of lupus nephritis patients confirmed by renal biopsy at Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital from January 2017 to August 2023. The study population was randomly divided into training and testing sets in a 7∶3 ratio. Utilizing six machine learning algorithms, classification models were developed. The predictive performance of each model was assessed using metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The optimal model, once identified, was deployed as a web-based calculator for convenient model application. SPSS 25.0 and R 4.2.2 were used to analyze the data.Results:The study included a total of 212 patients, with 138 cases with proliferative lupus nephritis and 74 cases with non-proliferative lupus nephritis. The AUC values for the six models, namely logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, support vector machine, extreme gradient boosting, and light gradient boosting machine, were 0.79, 0.62, 0.79, 0.88, 0.81, and 0.77, respectively; the accuracy rates were 82.54%, 65.08%, 74.60%, 85.71%, 69.84%, 71.43%, respectively. Among them, the support vector machine model demonstrated the optimal performance. This model had deployed as a web-based calculator. Based on feature importance scores, the top 10 influencing factors were identified, including anti URNP antibody, immunoglobulin G, serum globulin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, anti Smith antibody, BMI index, anti dsDNA antibody, uric acid, anti-Rib.p antibody, and gender.Conclusion:A prediction model based on machine learning algorithms was successfully established, and a web calculator was developed to offer a simple and non-invasive method for diagnosing proliferative lupus nephritis. This can assist clinicians in evaluating the risk-benefit ratio of kidney biopsy in patients with lupus nephritis.

A clinical diagnosis and treatment strategy centered on "fetal phenotype" is the most fundamental aspect of prenatal genetic counseling. This article discusses how typical phenotypes help in determining genetic testing strategies, familiar phenotypes aid in assessing prognosis risks, atypical phenotypes require careful selection of genetic testing platforms, and the interpretation of dynamically changing phenotypes necessitates integrating genetic reports of phenotypes. It emphasizes that clinicians should integrate fetal imaging phenotypes, the degree and changes in phenotypes, medical history, and family history to determine optimal genetic counseling.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication during pregnancy and is significantly associated with adverse perinatal outcomes such as macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, and cesarean delivery. Currently, the universal standard for diagnosing GDM primarily relies on the results of the oral glucose tolerance test conducted between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. However, recent clinical studies have shown that GDM diagnosed in early pregnancy is also significantly related to adverse pregnancy outcomes, leading many scholars to advocate for the early diagnosis of GDM. Additionally, despite the high incidence of GDM in twin pregnancies, it remains controversial whether the impacts on large-for-gestational-age infants and the long-term development of type Ⅱ diabetes are identical to those in singleton pregnancies. This controversy has prompted a reevaluation of the diagnostic criteria for GDM in twin pregnancies. This article aims to review the latest research on early-onset GDM and GDM in twin pregnancies, analyze existing evidence, and provide clinical diagnostic recommendations and future research directions in the context of China's specific national conditions.

Objective:To explore the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in the genetic diagnosis of different types of fetal growth restriction (FGR).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 cases who were diagnosed with FGR by ultrasound and underwent prenatal diagnosis at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, from January 2016 to December 2021. The cases were divided into three groups based on the gestational age at the first diagnosis:<28 weeks (40 cases), 28-31 +6 weeks (65 cases), and ≥32 weeks (15 cases). They were also categorized into isolated and non-isolated FGR based on the presence of other ultrasound abnormalities (69 and 51 cases in each). Chromosomal karyotype analysis and CMA were conducted on all patients. The prenatal diagnosis results were analyzed, as well as the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in different gestational age groups and types of FGR. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. Results:(1) A total of 14 abnormalities were detected by CMA and four cases were detected by chromosomal karyotype analysis. The abnormal detection rate of CMA was higher than that of chromosomal karyotype analysis [11.7% (14/120) vs. 3.3% (4/120), P=0.025]. Among the total 14 cases of chromosomal abnormalities, there were seven pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) and four variants of unknown significance (VUS), as well as two cases of trisomy-18 and one case of Turner syndrome. Among the 14 cases, eight had associated ultrasound abnormalities. Eleven of the 14 cases opted for induced abortion; three continued pregnancy to delivery, with two neonates showing no abnormalities and one exhibiting slightly delayed physical development. Both methods detected three cases of aneuploidy mnumber abnormalities (2.5%, 3/120) For chromosomal abnormalities <10 Mb, the detection rate of CMA was higher than that of chromosomal karyotype analysis [9.2% (11/120) vs. 0.8% (1/120), Fisher's exact, P=0.005]. Both methods detected one case of <10 Mb CNV, while CMA alone detected ten cases of <10 Mb microdeletions/microduplications (8.3%, 10/120), including six cases of pathogenic CNVs and four cases of VUS. (2) Among the 40 cases in the <28 weeks group, six cases (15.0%) of chromosomal abnormalities were detected, including three cases of aneuploidy, two cases of pathogenic CNVs, and one case of VUS. Among the 65 cases in the 28-31 +6 weeks group, seven cases (10.8%) of chromosomal abnormalities were detected, including five cases of pathogenic CNVs and two cases of VUS. Of the 15 cases in the ≥32 weeks group, one case of chromosomal abnormality was detected, which was VUS. (3) No statistically significant difference was found in the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities between the isolated FGR and the non-isolated FGR groups [8.7%(6/69) vs. 15.7%(8/51), Fisher's exact, P=0.263]. (4) After excluding the ≥32 weeks non-isolated FGR group (only one case), the <28 weeks non-isolated FGR group had the highest detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities (1/18), while no abnormalities were detected in the ≥32 weeks isolated FGR group. Conclusions:Among FGR fetuses, the highest detection rates of chromosomal abnormalities are found in early-onset and non-isolated FGR. Prenatal diagnosis with CMA testing can significantly improve the detection rate of genetic causes in various types of FGR fetuses.

This report described a pregnancy and delivery in a 28-year-old patient with methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) cblC type. The diagnosis was established during the perioperative period of thrombectomy for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, when hyperhomocystei-nemia was detected. Further investigation confirmed MMA with MMACHC gene variants c.80A>G (paternal) and c.609G>A (maternal), consistent with the cblC subtype. During pregnancy, the patient continued supplementation with hydroxocobalamin, levocarnitine, and betaine while maintaining a normal diet without protein restriction. Both the metabolic disease and fetal growth remained well-controlled. Unexplained vomiting occurred at 32?1 weeks of gestation, leading to cesarean delivery at 33?1 weeks. Postoperative recovery was uneventful with resolution of vomiting. The newborn was discharged after four weeks of neonatal care and demonstrated normal growth during follow-up. As adult MMA patients may pursue pregnancy, and evidence-based guidelines for management during gestation are limited, further case reports are needed to accumulate experience.

This article addresses the critical importance of recognizing and differentiating maternal heart rate artifact (MHRA) during cardiotocography for improving pregnancy outcomes. MHRA occurs when fetal monitors erroneously identify and display maternal heart rate signals as fetal heart rate, potentially masking genuine fetal distress or leading to unnecessary medical interventions. The analysis examines MHRA incidence, risk factors, and associations with adverse perinatal outcomes, highlighting increased misinterpretation risks during the second stage of labor and maternal tachycardia. Through representative cases, we emphasize the clinical value of recognizing MHRA warning signs, including sudden "normalization" of fetal heart rate patterns and contraction-synchronous accelerations. The review synthesizes evidence supporting effective differentiation strategies that combine pulse oximetry for maternal heart rate monitoring with real-time ultrasonography. Finally, integrating international guidelines with clinical practice, we propose that multimodal monitoring and novel technology applications represent key approaches for reducing misinterpretation and enhancing cardiotocography quality.