ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential of different orders of magnitude single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus combinations for predicting distant kinship relationships. A high-density SNP locus set was constructed, and a comprehensive assessment of its inference capability was conducted. MethodsFirstly, we selected three commercial chip panels, CGA (Chinese genotyping array, Illumina), GSA (Global screening array, Illumina), Affy (23MF_V2 high-density SNP array, Affymetrix) and merged them after quality control, forming a high-density SNP locus panel(1 180 k). Secondly, we selected 161 samples and collected their peripheral blood samples by using whole-genome sequencing technology. Within this sample population, the levels of kinship relationships fully covered the range from level 1 to level 9, and the number of kinship pairs at each level was consistently maintained at over 50 pairs. From 161 samples data of whole-genome sequencing, the 1 180 k locus set was extracted, which is referred to as the high-density SNP locus set in the following text. The kinship inference was conducted using the identity-by-descent (IBD) algorithm with the selected optimal parameters. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of the high-density SNP locus set in kinship inference, we compared it with the three commercial chip panels, the intersection of these three chip loci, and the control sets constructed by randomly reducing the number of the high-density SNP locus set. Based on the changes in the IBD lengths, as well as the dynamic trends in prediction accuracy, we conducted a scientific assessment of the kinship inference capability of the high-density SNP locus set. ResultsAfter screening, a set of 1 184 334 autosomal SNPs was obtained. During the process of screening the optimal IBD length threshold, the result revealed that 0 cM, 1 cM, and 2 cM all demonstrated good applicability. However, to avoid the issue of a large amount of redundant information caused by setting a too low IBD length threshold, this study ultimately selected 2 cM as the optimal threshold. Compared with the average results of three chip panels, the high-density SNP locus set increased the total IBD length and the average IBD length across levels 1-9; the accuracy of the confidence interval for level 8 was 70.97%, which represented a 3.50% improvement; the average confidence interval accuracy for levels 1-8 was 91.39%, representing a 1.00% increase; and the false negative rates at levels 8 and 9 were reduced by 2.42% and 6.76%, respectively. The system efficacy of the high-density SNP locus set for kinship inference of first to eighth degree relationships reached 98.91%. Through random reduction of the high-density SNP locus set results, it is found that increasing the number of SNPs with the panel, the detection efficiency of IBD length showed a significant upward trend. At the same time, the overall trend in the accuracy of kinship relationship prediction as well as the confidence interval accuracy also indicated that both metrics steadily increased with the addition of more loci. ConclusionThe results show that the high-density SNPs panel significantly enhances the efficacy of distant kinship inference, accurately covering kinship degrees, with the average confidence interval accuracy for first to eighth degree relationships stably above 90%. The study finds that increasing the number of SNPs panel can improve the ability to predict distant kinship.

This study explores the mechanism of Guben Jiannao Liquid on Alzheimer's disease(AD) by regulating autophagy based on the liver kinase B1(LKB1)/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway. Male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, low-dose and high-dose groups of Guben Jiannao Liquid, and rapamycin group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, all other groups of rats were injected bilaterally in the hippocampus with β-amyloid(Aβ)_(1-42) to establish the AD model. The low-dose(6.21 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(12.42 g·kg~(-1)) groups of Guben Jiannao Liquid and rapamycin group(1 mg·kg~(-1)) were given the corresponding drugs by gavage, and the blank and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage for four weeks. Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory ability of rats in each group; hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological and quantitative changes of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus; immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect Aβ-positive cell expression in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus; transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe ultrastructural changes in rat hippocampal tissue, and Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of LKB1, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, Beclin1, p62, and LC3-Ⅱ in the hippocampal tissue of the rats. The results showed that compared with those in the blank group, rats in the model group had elevated evasion latency and decreased number of platform transversal and residence time in the platform quadrant. The number of neurons in the hippocampal area was reduced, and the morphology was impaired. The average integral optical density value of Aβ-positive cells was elevated; the expression levels of LKB1, p-AMPK/AMPK, Beclin1, and LC3-Ⅱ were decreased, and the expression levels of p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 were increased. Compared with those in the model group, rats in the low-dose and high-dose groups of Guben Jiannao Liquid had shorter evasion latency, higher number of platform transversal, longer residence time in the platform quadrant, increased number of neurons, decreased expression of Aβ-positive cells and average integral optical density values, and increased number of autophagic lysosomes in hippocampal tissue. The expression levels of LKB1, Beclin1, and LC3-Ⅱ were elevated in the hippocampus of rats in the low-dose group of Guben Jiannao Liquid. The expression levels of LKB1, p-AMPK/AMPK, Beclin1, and LC3-Ⅱ were elevated in the hippocampal tissue of rats in the high-dose group of Guben Jiannao Liquid, and the expression levels of p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 were decreased. The findings suggest that Guben Jiannao Liquid can improve cognitive impairment in AD rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and the up-regulation of autophagy level.
Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Male ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; Humans ; Hippocampus/metabolism*

Geriatric oral health care encounters significant challenges with the increase in the proportion of older individuals. Age-related changes in the dentition, muscles, and joints result in a decline in objective masticatory function, subjective restoration requirements, and acceptability among the elderly population, with individual variations influenced by systemic health. Considering functional requirements, the adaptability of stomatognathic and systemic health conditions, health economics and other factors, the authors believe that it should not be limited to the conventional "one-to-one" strategy for replacing missing teeth in geriatric prosthodontics. There is an urgent need for a precise and adaptable restoration strategy that is more suitable for older individuals. The proposal of a new concept of functional tooth loss updates the minimal restoration standards for elderly patients and establishes the theory of age-friendly functional restoration. Based on the restoration strategy of functional tooth loss, this paper proposes a new concept termed "age-friendly functional restoration of the stomatognathic system", which integrates treatment considerations including endodontics, periodontology, mucosa, muscles, temporomandibular joint, and systemic health. Efforts should be made in four areas as follows. Firstly, the "assessment of accessible function" should be enhanced by considering the interrelationship between stomatognathic and systemic health. Secondly, the "evaluation of appropriate function" is supposed to be optimised in view of subjective needs and objective evaluation of the stomatognathic system. Moreover, the "formulation of treatment plans" needs to be accomplished with the aid of assistive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to accurately exert appropriate functional restoration. Lastly, the "management and maintenance of health" is likely to be strengthened through follow-ups, propaganda and education, and preventive healthcare, so as to improve quality of life and ultimately achieve healthy ageing among older individuals.
Humans ; Tooth Loss/therapy* ; Aged ; Stomatognathic System ; Oral Health ; Dental Care for Aged ; Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods*

Individuals with congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) may transmit cystic fibrosis (CF)-causing variants of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR ) gene to their offspring through assisted reproductive technology (ART). We aimed to delineate the spectrum and estimate the prevalence of CF-causing variants in Chinese individuals with CAVD through a cohort analysis and meta-analysis. CFTR was sequenced in 145 Chinese individuals with CAVD. CFTR variants were classified as CF-causing or non-CF-causing variants regarding clinical significance. A comprehensive genotype analysis was performed in Chinese individuals with CAVD, incorporating previous studies and our study cohort. The prevalence of CF-causing variants was estimated through meta-analysis. In our cohort, 56 different CFTR variants were identified in 108 (74.5%) patients. Twenty variants were categorized as CF-causing and were detected in 28 (19.3%) patients. A comprehensive genotype analysis of 867 patients identified 174 different CFTR variants. Sixty-four were classified as CF-causing variants, 56.3% of which had not been previously reported in Chinese patients with CF. Meta-analysis showed that 14.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.0%-18.9%) CAVD cases harbored one CF-causing variant, and 68.6% (95% CI: 65.1%-72.0%) CAVD cases carried at least one CFTR variant. Our study underscores the urgent need for extensive CFTR screening, including sequencing of whole exons and flanking regions and detection of large rearrangements and deep intronic CF-causing variants, in Chinese individuals with CAVD before undergoing ART. The established CF-causing variants spectrum may aid in the development of genetic counseling strategies and preimplantation diagnosis to prevent the birth of a child with CF.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; China ; Cohort Studies ; Cystic Fibrosis/genetics* ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics* ; Genotype ; Male Urogenital Diseases/genetics* ; Mutation ; Vas Deferens/abnormalities* ; East Asian People/genetics*

Objective To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of polystyrene micro/nanoplastics(PS-MNPs)on testicular Sertoli cells.Methods Sixty male C57BL/6N mice(8 weeks old)were randomly divided into a control group(deionized water),a PS-NPs group[particle size of 20 nm,2.5 mg/(kg·d)],and a PS-MPs group[particle size of 5 μm,2.5 mg/(kg·d)],with 20 mice in each group.The corresponding agents were gavaged once daily for 6 months.HE staining was used to observe the histopathological and morphological changes in the testicular tissues.Immunohistochemistry of marker proteins was employed to evaluate the changes in the number of Sertoli cells.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were performed to identify functions and signaling pathways enriched in the testicular transcriptome.Mouse testicular Sertoli cell line TM4 was divided into a control group(deionized water),a 2.5NPs group(2.5 μg/mL),and a 2.5MPs group(2.5 μg/mL).All groups received continuous exposure through 130 cell passages.Cell viability and proliferative capacity were evaluated using CCK-8 assay and EdU incorporation,while cell migration was assessed using transwell and cell scratch assays.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in the expression of key molecules regulating mesenchymal phenotypic transformation(MPT)at mRNA and protein levels.Results Pathological analysis revealed that,when compared to the control group,PS-NPs and PS-MPs treatment resulted in extended spaces between testicular seminiferous tubules,loosely arranged spermatogenic cells,and enhanced vacuolization.Immunohistochemical analysis of marker proteins indicated a decreasing trend in the number of testicular Sertoli cells in the PS-NPs and PS-MPs groups than the control group,with the PS-NPs group having statistical significance(P<0.01).GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that PS-MNPs exposure-related altered genes were significantly enriched in cell adhesion signaling pathways(P<0.05).PS-MPs exposure significantly inhibited the growth and migration ability of TM4 cells(P<0.05),but PS-NPs exposure had no such effect on cell growth but notably enhanced cell migration ability.PS-NPs exposure inhibited the expression levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1(P<0.01)and up-regulated the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin(P<0.01),and PS-MPs exposure led to significant up-regulation of vimentin(P<0.01)and down-regulation of E-cadherin,N-cadherin,and ZO-1(P<0.05).Both PS-MPs and PS-NPs exposure up-regulated the mRNA levels of Snail2,Twist1,and Zeb2(P<0.01).Conclusion Exposure of PS-MNPs leads to abnormal proliferation and migration of TM4 cells,induces decreases in cell-cell contacts among Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells at all levels possibly through MPT,and thus results in testicular damage.

Objective To investigate whether long-term low-dose exposure to polystyrene microplastics(PS-MPs)induces ferroptosis in testicular Sertoli cells and then leads to testicular injury.Methods Forty 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group(deionized water group)and a PS-MPs group[2.5 mg/(kg·d)],with 20 mice in each group.Corresponding agents were gavaged once a day for 12 consecutive months.HE staining and Prussian blue staining were used to detect histopathological damage and accumulation of ferrous ions in the testes.Electron transmission microscopy was employed to observe the mitochondrial morphology of testicular Sertoli cells.Mouse Sertoli cell line TM4 was divided into a Con group(standard culture)and an MPs group(2.5 μg/mL PS-MPs).After both groups underwent continuous exposure and passed up to the 100th generation,morphological changes were observed under the microscope;cell viability was detected with CCK8 assay,and production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)were detected with a ROS probe and a mitochondrial membrane potential probe(JC-1),respectively.Flow cytometry,ferrous ion(Fe2+)kit and Western blotting were applied to detect cell apoptosis,intracellular iron ion content,and protein levels of key molecules of ferroptosis in tissues and cells.Results Long-term exposure to PS-MPs resulted in significantly reduced diameter and thickness of mouse varicocele(P<0.01),fewer testicular Sertoli cells(P<0.05),with characteristic ferroptosis alterations in the mitochondria,and increased accumulation of ferrous ions in testicular tissue.Exposure to PS-MPs down-regulated the key molecules of ferroptosis,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and ferritin light chain(FTL)when compared with the control group(P<0.05).In the cell model,long-term PS-MPs exposure led to morphological changes and decreased cell viability(P<0.05),more production of ROS(P<0.01),and decrease in MMP(P<0.05)of TM4 cells.The exposure had no effect on cell apoptosis,but elevated the intracellular content of ferric ions(P<0.01),and down-regulated GPX4 and FTL protein levels(P<0.05).Conclusion Long-term low-dose exposure to PS-MPs induces mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress in testicular Sertoli cells,activates the ferroptosis pathway,and ultimately leads to testicular injury in mice.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and gold chromatographic strip assay(GICA)in diagnosing clonorchiasis through a meta-analysis of diagnostic tests.Methods Relevant databases,including CNKI,the Wan Fang Database,VIP,and PubMed,were searched according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.Literature quality was assessed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18,and funnel plots,forest plots,and SROC curves were generated.Results A total of 50 articles met the inclusion criteria.Deeks'funnel plot analysis indicated no significant publication bias among the three methods.The combined effect size analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA for detecting clonorchiasis were 0.93(0.89-0.95)and 0.94(0.92-0.96),respectively,with an area under the SROC curve of 0.98.For PCR,the sensitivity and specificity were 0.93(0.84-0.97)and 0.92(0.80-0.97),respectively,yielding an area under the SROC curve of 0.97.The sensitivity and specificity of the GICA method for detecting clonorchiasis were 0.91(0.83-0.96)and 0.95(0.87-0.98),respectively,with an area under the SROC curve of 0.97.Conclusions In the diagnosis of clonorchiasis,ELISA,PCR and GICA have high diagnostic value,but their ranges differ from each other.

AIM:This study aimed to identify the key active components and signaling pathways in the tradi-tional Chinese medicine Fructus Aurantii that contribute to the prevention and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy,along with experimental validation.METHODS:H9C2 cardiomyocytes were pretreated with nobiletin(NOB)for 1 h and then ex-posed to 100 nmol/L angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)for 24 h.RT-qPCR was used to quantify the mRNA expression of hypertrophy-related genes,including atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and myosin heavy chain 7(MYH7).Immunofluorescence staining was employed to assess the surface area of cardiomyocytes.Additionally,a kit was utilized to measure levels of pyroptosis-related factors such as lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-18 and caspase-1,while Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of gasdermin D and caspase-1.RESULTS:Network pharmacology analyses indicated that NOB is the key active component in Fructus Aurantii that regu-lates cardiac hypertrophy,potentially through the pyroptosis pathway.Further molecular biology experiments confirmed that NOB inhibits Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac hypertrophy and pyroptosis.Furthermore,the involvement of the pyroptosis pathway was highlighted in the protective effects of NOB against cardiac hypertrophy.CONCLUSION:The active compo-nent NOB in the traditional Chinese medicine Fructus Aurantii alleviates cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting pyroptosis.