Background Liver cancer is one of the common malignant tumors. Phthalates (PAEs), as a widely used class of plasticizers, can participate in the occurrence and progression of liver diseases through multiple pathways. Objective To explore the association between PAEs exposure and liver cancer risk and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of environment-related tumor risk events. Methods Chi-square test and logistic regression were employed to analyze data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database between 2001 and 2018, to investigate the association between PAEs exposure and liver cancer. Network toxicology combined with machine learning was used to screen independent prognostic genes associated with PAEs and liver cancer, and to evaluate their correlations with tumor immunity, tumor pathway activation, and tumor drug resistance. Finally, the prediction results were validated using GEO datasets, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Results After screening, 11378 eligible samples were obtained from the NHANES database, including 108 patients with liver cancer and 11270 healthy controls. The logistic regression analysis revealed that exposure to nine types of PAEs was positively correlated with liver cancer (OR > 1, P < 0.05). The network toxicology analysis indicated that the association between PAEs exposure and liver cancer was related to three independent prognostic genes: uridine-cytidine kinase 2 (UCK2), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and albumin (ALB). These three independent prognostic genes were significantly associated with the tumor immune microenvironment, tumor pathway activation, and tumor drug resistance, and exhibited complex interactions with each other. All three independent prognostic genes showed significant differential expression in the validation datasets GSE58043 and GSE115469 (P < 0.05). The results of both molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that these three independent prognostic genes can freely bind to PAEs and form stable complexes. Conclusion Exposure to PAEs is positively correlated with liver cancer. The intrinsic association between the two may involve metabolic disorders, immunosuppression, and activation of inflammatory and tumor-related pathways.

Objective To investigate the causal relationship between metabolic syndrome and breast cancer by using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for metabolic syndrome and breast cancer were acquired from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit GWAS database and the GWAS Catalog, with populations encompassing the United States and East Asia. A bidirectional causal design was employed: a forward analysis with metabolic syndrome as the exposure and breast cancer as the outcome, followed by a reverse analysis wherein their roles were interchanged. The inverse-variance weighting (IVW) method was primarily used for effect estimation, supplemented by MR-Egger regression, the weighted median method, the simple mode method, and the weighted mode method. Instrument variable strength was screened using the F-statistic (F>10). Robustness of the results was assessed through heterogeneity tests, horizontal pleiotropy tests, forest plots, and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses. Results The IVW analysis indicated no significant causal relationship between metabolic syndrome and breast cancer (OR=1.00, 95%CI: 0.97-1.03), P>0.05). Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results, suggesting the good robustness of the study findings. Conclusion This study found no evidence to support a causal relationship, either positive or negative, between metabolic syndrome and breast cancer.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in Harbin City from 2015 to 2024, so as to provide the basis for formulating pertussis prevention and control measures. Methods: The incidence data of pertussis in Harbin City from 2015 to 2024 were collected through the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the vaccination data were collected through the Immunization Program Information System of Heilongjiang Province. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, regional and population distribution characteristics of pertussis incidence as well as the immunization history of pertussis cases. Results: A total of 417 cases of pertussis were reported in Harbin City from 2015 to 2024, with an average annual reported incidence of 0.41/100 000. The reported incidence increased from 0.18/100 000 in 2015 to 0.64/100 000 in 2024, showing an overall upward trend (P<0.05). The peak incidence period was from August to November, with 253 cases, accounting for 60.67%. The average annual reported incidences of pertussis in Shuangcheng District, Nangang District and Daoli District were relatively high, at 1.09/100 000, 0.93/100 000 and 0.52/100 000, respectively. There were 223 male cases and 194 female cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.15∶1. The average annual reported incidence of pertussis was 0.45/100 000 in males and 0.39/100 000 in females, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Cases were predominantly distributed among children under 6 months and those aged 6 to under 10 years, with 176 and 144 cases, accounting for 42.21% and 34.53% respectively. The majority of cases were scattered children, with 266 cases (63.79%). There were 175 cases (41.97%) without diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine and 172 cases (41.25%) who had completed the full course of immunization. Conclusions The incidence of pertussis in Harbin City showed an upward trend from 2015 to 2024. Autumn was identified as the peak season for disease onset. Shuangcheng District and Nangang District were the high-incidence areas. Children under 6 months, those aged 6 to under 10 years, scattered children, and those who had not received the DTP vaccine were the high-risk groups. It is recommended to improve pertussis surveillance strategies and strengthen childhood immunization programs.

Tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), are a series of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by pathological accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Since the abnormal modification and deposition of tau in nerve cells are crucial for tauopathy etiology, methods for reducing tau levels, such as promoting tau degradation, may become effective strategies for disease treatment. Herein, we identified that sorafenib significantly reduced total tau and phosphorylated tau levels through screening FDA-approved drugs. We showed that sorafenib treatment attenuated cognitive deficits and tau pathologies in PS19 tauopathy model mice. Mechanistically, we found that sorafenib inhibited multiple kinases involved in tau phosphorylation and promoted autophagy. Importantly, we further demonstrated that sorafenib also promoted the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXW7, which could bind tau and mediate tau degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Finally, we showed that FBXW7 expression decreased in the brains of AD patients and tauopathy model mice, and that overexpression of FBXW7 in the hippocampus attenuated cognitive deficits and tau pathologies in PS19 mice. These results suggest that sorafenib may be a promising treatment option for tauopathies by promoting tau degradation and reducing tau phosphorylation, and that targeting FBXW7 could also serve as an alternative therapeutic strategy for tauopathies.

Glucose oxidase (GOD) is an oxygen-consuming dehydrogenase that can catalyze the production of gluconic acid hydrogen peroxide from glucose, and its specific mechanism of action makes it promising for applications, while the low catalytic activity and poor thermostability have become the main factors limiting the industrial application of this enzyme. In this study, we used the glucose oxidase AtGOD reported with the best thermostability as the source sequence for phylogenetic analysis to obtain the GOD with excellent performance. Six genes were screened and successfully synthesized for functional validation. Among them, the glucose oxidase AhGODB derived from Aspergillus heteromorphus was expressed in Pichia pastoris and showed better thermostability and catalytic activity, with an optimal temperature of 40 ℃, a specific activity of 112.2 U/mg, and a relative activity of 47% after 5 min of treatment at 70 ℃. To improve its activity and thermal stability, we constructed several mutants by directed evolution combined with rational design. Compared with the original enzyme, the mutant T72R/A153P showcased the optimum temperature increasing from 40 to 50 ℃, the specific activity increasing from 112.2 U/mg to 166.1 U/mg, and the relative activity after treatment at 70 ℃ for 30 min increasing from 0% to 33%. In conclusion, the glucose oxidase mutants obtained in this study have improved catalytic activity and thermostability, and have potential for application.
Glucose Oxidase/chemistry* ; Enzyme Stability ; Aspergillus/genetics* ; Pichia/metabolism* ; Temperature ; Catalysis ; Fungal Proteins/metabolism* ; Hot Temperature

46XY simple gonadal hypoplasia, also known as Sweyer syndrome, patients often due to primary amenorrhea or pubertal secondary sex characteristics do not develop the doctor, its combined gonadal tumor is more likely, in the treatment process is often recommended prophylactic removal of gonads, postoperative hormone replacement therapy. We describe two patients diagnosed with Sweyer syndrome, one with gonadowlastoma and mature teratoma, and one with nodular Leydig cell hyperplasia and ectopic adrenal tissue, and reviews the literature.

OBJECTIVE To observe the efficacy and safety of hydromorphone in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.METHODS A total of 90 patients who received uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in Central Theater General Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected and divided into three groups(n=30 in each group)by using random number table method.Control group was given sufentanil 2.0 μg/kg,group A was given hydromorphone 0.20 mg/kg and group B was given hydromorphone 0.30 mg/kg.The analgesic parameters of three groups were background infusion rate of 1.2 ml/h,PCA amount of 2 ml,and lock-up time of 10 min.VAS score and Ramsay sedation score at 2 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h after surgery were recorded,as well as the number of compressions within 48 h after surgery,and the incidence of adverse reactions were analyzed.RESULTS There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss,operation time and intraoperative urine volume among the three groups(P>0.05).VAS score in group A and group B at 2 h(2.0±0.3,2.2±0.4),6 h(1.8±0.4,1.9±0.4),12 h(1.8±0.4,1.7±0.4),24 h(1.6±0.3,1.5±0.4)and 48 h(1.1±0.3,1.2±0.4)were significantly lower than those in control group(2.8±0.5,2.3±0.5,2.1±0.4,2.0±0.5,1.7±0.5)(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between group A and group B(P>0.05).The Ramsay score of group A and group B at 2 h,6 h,12 h,24 h,and 48 h after operation was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in Ramsay score between group A and group B(P>0.05).The total number of compressions and effective number of compressions in group A and group B at 12 h,24 h and 48 h after surgery were lower than those in control group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between group A and group B(P>0.05).The incidence of total adverse reactions in group B was higher than that in group A and control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of total adverse reactions between group A and control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Hydromorphone can effectively be used for postoperative self-controlled analgesia in patients with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty,and the efficacy is better than sufentanil,but the dose of 0.20 mg/kg hydromorphone has better safety than that of 0.3 mg/kg hydromorphone.

Objective To explore the differences in the effectiveness of using different blood indicators individually,in combination,and for dynamic monitoring in the diagnosis,differential diagnosis,and prognosis of bacterial infections.Methods 1843 cases with infectious symptoms or signs from January 2015 to September 2022 at the People's Hospital of Yuxi City were selected as the case group,and 2298 uninfected individuals during the same period were selected as the control group.Blood indicators of the two groups were collected.Variables were grouped according to gender,age group,specimen type,etc.SPSS 24.0 and Medcalc 20.0 were used for statistical analysis.Results The individual diagnostic efficacy of various blood indicators for detecting infection ranges from 0.656 to 0.937.When used together,the efficacy ranges from 0.907 to 0.987.The efficacy of distinguishing between G+c and G-b in different specimens is as follows:when PCT is used alone in blood,the AUC is 0.875 for males and 0.769 for females.However,the individual diagnostic efficacy in male mucous secretions,sterile body fluids,and non-adult male sputum is all≤0.7.Yet,when used together,the efficacy is AUC(0.789,0.737,0.86)respectively.The dynamic monitoring of PCT,IL-6,CRP,WBC,and LAC in adult patients at 24 h,48 h,and 72 h after admission shows statistically significant differences in prognostic efficacy for G+c and G-b(P<0.05).Conclusions Blood indicators have a certain diagnostic value for determining whether there is a bacterial infection,and there are gender differences.The combined use of these indicators is more effective.The diagnostic value of using blood indicators alone or in combination for distinguishing between G+c and G-b in different types of specimens varies.The use of PCT alone in blood specimens is the most effective.For adult males,the combined use of body surface mucous secretions and sterile body fluids is most effective,while for underage males,the combined use of sputum is most effective.The combined use for females is not effective.Dynamic monitoring of PCT,CRP,IL-6,LAC,and WBC has a high value for evaluating the prognosis and therapeutic effect of infections.The evaluation of G+c infection is most effective at 24 hours for IL-6,and for G-b infection,it is most effective at 72 hours for PCT.

Objective:A rare case of δ-globin gene (HBD) mutation in Guangdong Province was analyzed to provide reference for avoiding misdiagnosis of δ-thalassemia in clinic.Methods:The patient was admitted to Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and the peripheral blood sample was collected for hematological phenotypes [mean erythrocyte volume (MCV), mean erythrocyte hemoglobin content (MCH), hemoglobin (Hb)] and Hb typing analysis. The routine deletion and mutation of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia genes were analyzed by PCR-flow fluorescence hybridization. At the same time, DNA sequencing was used to analyze the type of HBD mutation.Results:The results of hematological phenotypes analysis showed that MCV was 87.9 fl, MCH was 29.3 pg, and Hb content was 140 g/L. The results of Hb typing showed that the contents of Hb F, Hb A 2, Hb A 2 variant, and Hb A were 0.4%, 1.3%, 0.6%, and 97.7%, respectively. No abnormality was found in α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia genes by routine deletion and mutation detection. According to DNA sequencing analysis, the patient had HBD: c.349 C>G variant. Conclusion:The low Hb A 2 content (reference value is 2.5% - 3.5%) in this case is due to the mutation of HBD, HBD: c.349 C>G variant is rare in Chinese population.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To explore the intervention mechanism of Guizhi Fuling pills on breast cancer based on multi-data platform and bioinformation technology, and to verify the analysis results by cell test. METHODS The data set related to breast cancer was downloaded from GEO database to analyze the differential genes of breast cancer. The main active components and target genes of Guizhi Fuling pills were screened from TCMSP database. The key target genes of Guizhi Fuling pills in the treatment of breast cancer were mapped by the two groups of target genes. TCGA database was used to analyze the expression of key target genes in breast cancer. Through TIMER, CPTAC Data Portal, and Kaplan-Meier plotter, TISIDB, SangerBox and other data platforms, the relationships of the key genes expression and immune micro-environment, immune infiltration level, genomic heterogeneity, immune subtypes, molecular subtype, and poor prognosis were analyzed in breast cancer. KEGG pathway enrichment of key genes was performed searching for possible signaling pathways by Metascape analysis platform. Finally, CCK-8 assay, cell scratch assay, Transwell chamber assay and Western blotting technique were used to verify the results in vitro. RESULTS There were 42 active components and 185 targets in Guizhi Fuling pills, and 14 key targets related to the treatment of breast cancer were mapped with GEO database. Six key target genes for the treatment of breast cancer were obtained by comparison with breast cancer differential genes in TCGA. The expression of these 6 key genes was strongly correlated with the levels of 6 immune cells, 3 immune microenvironment scores, immune subtypes and molecular subtypes in breast cancer(P<0.05), also showed consistency in the correlation of genomic heterogeneity, and was closely associated with poor prognosis(P<0.05). KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these 6 genes were mainly enriched in PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Cell test showed that Guizhi Fuling pills could significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC1937 cells, and also reduce the relative expression of p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K proteins in HCC1937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Guizhi Fuling pills may interfere with breast cancer by blocking PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment.