AIM: To delineate the specific mutation responsible for retinitis pigmentosa(RP)in a Yi pedigree, and to analyze the correlation of RHO gene mutation with clinical phenotype.METHODS:A comprehensive clinical evaluation was conducted on the proband diagnosed with RP and other familial members, complemented by a thorough ophthalmic examination. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the proband and familial members, from which genomic DNA was extracte. Subsequent whole exome sequencing(WES)was employed to identify the variant genes in the proband. The identified variant gene was validated through Sanger sequencing, then an in-depth analysis of the mutation genes was carried out using genetic databases to ascertain the pathogenic mutation sites. Furthermore, an exhaustive analysis was performed to delineate the genotype and phenotype characteristics.RESULTS:The RP pedigree encompasses 5 generations with 42 members, including 19 males and 23 females. A total of 13 cases of RP were identified, consisting of 4 males and 9 females, which conforms to the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The clinical features of this family include an early onset age, rapid progression, and a more severe condition. The patients were found to have night blindness around 6 years old, representing the earliest reported case of night blindness in RP families. The retina was manifested by progressive osteocytoid pigmentation of the fundus, a reduced visual field, and significantly decreased or even vanished a and b amplitudes of ERG. The combined results of WES and Sanger sequencing indicated that the proband had a heterozygous missense mutation of the RHO gene c.1040C>T:p.P347L, where the 1 040 base C of cDNA was replaced by T, causing codon 347 to encode leucine instead of proline. Interestingly, this mutation has not been reported in the Chinese population.CONCLUSION:This study confirmed that the mutant gene of RP in a Yi nationality pedigree was RHO(c.1040C>T). This variant leads to the change of codon 347 from encoding proline to encoding leucine, resulting in a severe clinical phenotype among family members. This study provides a certain molecular, clinical, and genetic basis for genetic counseling and gene diagnosis of RHO.

AIM: To delineate the specific mutation responsible for retinitis pigmentosa(RP)in a Yi pedigree, and to analyze the correlation of RHO gene mutation with clinical phenotype.METHODS:A comprehensive clinical evaluation was conducted on the proband diagnosed with RP and other familial members, complemented by a thorough ophthalmic examination. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the proband and familial members, from which genomic DNA was extracte. Subsequent whole exome sequencing(WES)was employed to identify the variant genes in the proband. The identified variant gene was validated through Sanger sequencing, then an in-depth analysis of the mutation genes was carried out using genetic databases to ascertain the pathogenic mutation sites. Furthermore, an exhaustive analysis was performed to delineate the genotype and phenotype characteristics.RESULTS:The RP pedigree encompasses 5 generations with 42 members, including 19 males and 23 females. A total of 13 cases of RP were identified, consisting of 4 males and 9 females, which conforms to the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The clinical features of this family include an early onset age, rapid progression, and a more severe condition. The patients were found to have night blindness around 6 years old, representing the earliest reported case of night blindness in RP families. The retina was manifested by progressive osteocytoid pigmentation of the fundus, a reduced visual field, and significantly decreased or even vanished a and b amplitudes of ERG. The combined results of WES and Sanger sequencing indicated that the proband had a heterozygous missense mutation of the RHO gene c.1040C>T:p.P347L, where the 1 040 base C of cDNA was replaced by T, causing codon 347 to encode leucine instead of proline. Interestingly, this mutation has not been reported in the Chinese population.CONCLUSION:This study confirmed that the mutant gene of RP in a Yi nationality pedigree was RHO(c.1040C>T). This variant leads to the change of codon 347 from encoding proline to encoding leucine, resulting in a severe clinical phenotype among family members. This study provides a certain molecular, clinical, and genetic basis for genetic counseling and gene diagnosis of RHO.

DNA double-strand breaks represent a common type of serious DNA damage in living organisms, causing instability of the genome and leading to cell death. Homologous recombination and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) are the two main ways to repair DNA double-strand breaks. The core components involved in the NHEJ pathway are highly conserved in both yeast and humans. A few bacteria such as Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis also have the NHEJ mechanism. NHEJ plays a key role in the double strand repair of Mycobacterium in latency. This paper summarizes the mechanism and important components of NHEJ in Mycobacterium, introduces the application of NHEJ in gene editing, and reviews the research progress of the NHEJ pathway in Mycobacterium. We hope to bring new insights into the molecular mechanism and provide clues for the application of NHEJ in Mycobacterium.
DNA End-Joining Repair/physiology* ; Gene Editing/methods* ; Mycobacterium/physiology* ; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ; Humans

OBJECTIVE To improve the quality evaluation method of Platycodonis Radix, to study the differences in the quality of three-years-old Platycodonis Radix under different harvesting periods, and to determine the optimal harvesting period of Platycodonis Radix. METHODS The leachate, ash, moisture, refractive index and the content of six saponins were used as the quality evaluation indexes. The differences between the herbs of Platycodonis Radix at different harvesting periods were characterized with the help of mathematical and statistical methods. And link the entropy weight method, gray correlation analysis and TOPSIS method were combined to obtain the statistical analysis of the relevant indexes and the quality ranking information of the herbs in different harvesting periods. RESULTS There were significant differences between the quality evaluation indexes of three-years-old Platycodonis Radix at different harvesting periods. The added multi-indicator testing had improved the quality evaluation system of Platycodonis Radix and enhanced the "Drug properties-Effectiveness" linkage of the herbs. And the results of the comprehensive quality evaluation model showed that the herbs harvested around October 21 (Frost’s Descent) were ranked best in terms of comprehensive index. CONCLUSION In order to ensure the quality of Platycodonis Radix, the best harvesting period for three-years-old Platycodonis Radix is determined around the "Frost’s Descent" season, taking into account the characteristics of the herbs' appearance and the material basis of herbs.

Objective To explore the relevant protective/risk factors during the development of coronary heart disease blood stasis evidence in the process of pre-existing evidence based on the macro-,meso-,and micro-health state characterization parameter system of Chinese medicine state science.Methods 253 cases of coronary heart disease to be investigated were collected from the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Department of Cardiology in the hospitals affiliated to Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and questionnaires were formulated according to the three dimensions of macro,meso,and micro,and the collected parameters were categorized with Python software,and the patients were diagnosed as pre-coronary heart disease blood stasis evidence(150 cases)and coronary heart disease blood stasis evidence(100 cases),and statistical analyses were performed with frequency analysis,χ2 test,and Logistic regression and other methods for statistical analysis.Results ①The results of univariate analysis showed that:age,BMI,history of smoking,history of alcohol consumption,history of hypertension,history of diabetes mellitus,average monthly high temperature,air quality,season,type of occupation,social environment,coronary artery angiographic stenosis,diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure,creatinine,uric acid and total cholesterol differed between patients diagnosed as pre-Coronary artery disease blood stasis evidence and those diagnosed as Coronary artery disease blood stasis evidence,and all the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).② Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age,BMI,history of alcohol consumption,type of occupation,coronary angiographic stenosis,diastolic blood pressure,creatinine,and dark red tongue were independent risk factors.A prediction model was established:P=1/[1+exp(16.522-1.427×age-0.975×BMI-3.55×drinking history+1.982×monthly average high temperature+0.709×season-1.827×occupational type-1.1×coronary angiographic stenosis-0.072×diastolic blood pressure-0.076×creatinine+2.398×dizziness-4.108×dark red tongue+4.169×pulse asthenia)],the model prediction rate was 90.5%.Conclusion The logistic regression model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis evidence is good with clinical diagnosis,which lays the foundation for the exploration of the state between the already diseased and undiseased of coronary heart disease,and provides important basic data for the theory of subhealth.

Objective: To understand the situation of neglect of preschool children in the urban area of Xi an under the background of multi child policy, so as to provide a reference for making effective prevention. Methods: In Novmber 2022, according to the multi stage stratified cluster sampling principle, 2 450 parents of children aged 3-6 years were randomly selected from 7 urban areas of Xi an to participate in the questionnaire survey. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the "Neglect Evaluation Norms of 3-6 Years Old (Preschool) Children in Urban Areas of China". SPSS 18.0 software was used for statistical description, Chi square test and variance analysis. Results: The total neglect rate of preschool children in the urban area of Xi an was 29.0% and the total neglect score was (37.58±8.44). There was no statistical difference in the neglect status of children in different grade groups ( χ 2/ F =1.61, 2.98, P >0.05). The neglect score of boys was higher than girls ( t =2.45, P <0.05). There was no statistical difference in the neglect rate and neglect score of boys and girls in other levels ( P >0.05); except for the significant difference in the neglect degree of medical treatment, education and safety ( t =2.01, 2.28, 2.02, P <0.05). The rate and score of neglect in multi-child families were higher than only-child families ( χ 2/ t = 13.68, -4.54, P <0.05). There were significant differences in the rate and degree of neglect of children with different birth order, which were "third and fourth-born>second-born>first-born" ( χ 2/ F = 10.84 , 2.79, P <0.05). The neglect rate and score of "single parent family" were significantly higher than that of "nuclear family" and "three-generation family" ( χ 2/ F =4.78, 2.79, P <0.05). Conclusion The neglect situation of preschool children in urban area of Xi an is still serious, especially in multi-child families. It should actively explore the risk factors and formulate effective intervention measures.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of online and offline myopia prevention and control health education interventions using wearable behavior monitoring tools for non myopic elementary school students,so as to provide evidence based medical support for public health practices. Methods: From May to June in 2021, two schools were selected within the same county in Jiangsu Province. School 1 conducted online and offline parental health education ( n =111), while school 2 exclusively conducted offline health education activities, representing the traditional intervention group ( n =122). Students from both schools underwent monitoring through wearable behavior tracking tools, with feedback reports provided (eye distance, eye duration, ambient light, and outdoor exposure time). Both schools relied on activities to carry out health education interventions, and organized the distribution of promotional materials and display boards. The intervention group also established WeChat groups to conduct online "Healthy Parents Action" (answering and providing feedback on health knowledge related to myopia prevention and control, myopia prevention and control, science popularization, etc. raised by parents). Evaluation criteria included myopia rates, post dilation refractive error, and axial length, with a tracking period of two years (from 2021 to 2023). Additionally, the study collected refractive parameters from non myopic students who did not participate in wearable tool monitoring in the 12 classes across the two schools. Results: The baseline results indicated that there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of refractive parameters and wearable tool monitoring results (including screen time, viewing distance, outdoor exposure time, and homework light exposure)( t/Z/χ 2=1.94,1.17,0.58,0.40,0.80,0.69,0.32, P >0.05). After a two-year follow up, in the first and second year, the myopia rate of the online Healthy Parents Action group (11.4%, 29.7%) were lower than that of the traditional group (26.2%, 50.9%), and the degree of refractive change in the intervention group [0.63(0.38,1.19)D] was lower than that of the traditional group [0.91(0.40,1.50)D], and all the differences were statistically significant( χ 2/ Z =4.93，10.37，2.29， P <0.05). However, there were no significant differences ( P >0.05) in axial length changes between the two groups over the twoyear intervention period. Nevertheless, in the second year, the axial length change in the traditional group [0.35(0.20,0.65)mm] was lower than that in the natural observation group [0.55(0.30,0.75)mm], and this difference was statistically significant ( Z =1.92, P <0.05). Conclusions Online and offline myopia prevention and control health education can effectively reduce myopia rates. The intervention mode combining wearable behavior monitoring tools with online health education may have better effects, but further large sample and multi center studies are needed to provide additional evidence and confirmation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of Ortho-Bridge Combination System (OBCS) to achieve precise ulna-shortening osteotomy (USO) in the treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 25 patients with ulnar impaction syndrome who had been treated at Institute of Orthopedic Trauma Research, The 920th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army between January 2020 to March 2022. The patients all underwent USO using OBCS. They were 14 females and 11 males with an age of (43.2 ± 10.1) years. Their CT scans were retrieved for preoperative planning and design of a personalized USO. Intraoperatively, OBCS was fixated to the ulna before USO. After the bone was resected according to preoperative planning, the gap between the osteotomy sites was closed with compression, and OBCS was finally fixated with locking screws. The time for bone union after resection, complications, range of motion and grip strength were recorded. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Mayo wrist score.Results:All patients completed their operations successfully using OBCS. Their follow-up time was (13.5 ± 1.2) months. The ulnar variation was corrected and osteotomy ends got united in all patients, without nonunion, angulation, or rotation. The wrist VAS significantly decreased from 6.0 (5.0, 6.5) points before operation to 2.0 (1.0, 2.0) points at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the Mayo wrist score [(85.4 ± 8.9) points], grip strength [(39.4 ± 1.2) kg], wrist flexion-extension (111.9° ± 12.6°), wrist pronation-supination (133.2° ± 15.7°), and ulnar radial deviation (35.3° ± 2.8°) were significantly increased compared with the preoperative values [(69.2 ± 13.3) points, (31.3 ± 5.2) kg, 102.0° ± 16.0°, 128.0° ± 15.5°, and 32.2° ± 2.8°] ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome, OBCS can facilitate the process of USO, correct ulnar variance, and avoid complications like rotation and angulation to improve functions of the wrist.

Objective: To explore the microbial correlation between oral tongue coating (TC) and gastric mucosa (GM) in patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Methods: The present study recruited 1360 volunteers for upper gastrointestinal cancer screening. The microbiota in TC and GM were profiled by long-read sequencing of full-length 16S rRNA gene. The microbial diversity, community structure, and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) were analyzed by the software Visual Genomics. SparCC correlation analysis was used to construct the commensal network and the graphical display was conducted by R software. Results: The population included 44 patients with precancerous GIM, and 28 matched controls with negative rapid urease test (RUT) and non-symptomatic chronic superficial gastritis (CSG). No significant difference in diversity was observed between GIM patients and controls in TC or GM microbiota (P > 0.05). Patients had a higher percentage of 41 – 60 co-occurring operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between TC and GM than controls (34.1% vs. 25.0%) (P < 0.05). The LEfSe showed that TC Prevotella melaninogenica and three gastric Helicobacter species (i.e., Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter pylori XZ274, and Helicobacter pylori 83) were enriched in patients with GIM. Furthermore, GIM patients with positive RUT had a lower percentage of co-occurring OTUs over 20 (P < 0.05), and lower abundances of gastric Veillonella, Pseudonocardia, and Mesorhizobium than those with negative RUT (P < 0.05). The commensal network between TC and GM was more complex in GIM patients than in controls. GIM patients with positive RUT demonstrated more bacterial correlations between TC and GM than those with negative RUT. Finally, the serum ratio of PG-I/II was negatively correlated with three gastric Helicobacter species (Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter pylori XZ274, and Helicobacter pylori 83) in patients with negative RUT (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with two TC species (Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Campylobacter showae) in patients with positive RUT (P < 0.05). Conclusion The development of GIM potentiated the commensal network between oral TC and GM, providing microbial evidence of the correlation between TC and the stomach.

Objective:To evaluate the role of P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) in the maintenance of trigeminal neuralgia and the relationship with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway in rats.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 190-230 g, aged 2-3 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), trigeminal neuralgia group (TN group), trigeminal neuralgia+ dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) group (TN+ DMSO group), and trigeminal neuralgia+ P2X4R specific antagonist 5-BDBD group (TN+ 5-BDBD group). The model was developed by chronic constriction of the infraorbital nerve. The infraorbital nerve was only exposed without ligation in group S. At 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after developing the model, 5 μg/μl 5-BDBD 10 μl was intrathecally injected in TN+ 5-BDBD group, and 2% DMSO 10 μl was intrathecally injected in TN+ DMSO group. The facial mechanical pain withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured at 1 day before developing the model and 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 28 days after developing the model (T 0-6). The rats were sacrificed and the trigeminal ganglia were taken for determination of the expression of P2X4R, p38 MAPK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) and BDNF (by Western blot) and contents of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with group S, the MWT was significantly decreased at T 1-6, the expression of P2X4R, p-p38 MAPK and BDNF in trigeminal ganglion was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in TN group ( P<0.05). Compared with TN group, the MWT was significantly increased at T 3-6, and the expression of P2X4R, p-p38 MAPK and BDNF in trigeminal ganglion was down-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased in TN+ 5-BDBD group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the indexes mentioned above in TN+ DMSO group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:P2X4R is involved in the maintenance of trigeminal neuralgia in rats, which may be related to the activation of p38 MAPK/BDNF signaling pathway and the increase in inflammatory mediator release.