1.Salidroside alleviates PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis through PINK1/Parkin
Ruixi ZHOU ; Wenbo WU ; Limin ZHANG ; Meina WU ; Chen LIU ; Siqi LI ; Xiaohong LI ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Qin WANG ; Li YU ; Yumei LIU ; Wanwei LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1240-1246
Background Existing studies have confirmed that fine particulate matter (PM2.5)is one of the important factors inducing pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is the terminal stage of a major category of lung diseases characterized by the destruction of tissue structure, and eventually leading lung ventilation and ventilation dysfunction. No effective pulmonary fibrosis treatment is available yet. Objective To investigate the protective effect of salidroside on pulmonary fibrosis induced by the exposure of PM2.5 and its molecular mechanism. Methods Seventy 7-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group (intratracheal instillation of normal saline + saline by gavage, n=25), Sal group (intratracheal instillation of normal saline + Sal 60 mg·kg−1 by gavage, n=10), PM2.5 group (intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 5 mg·kg−1 + saline by gavage, n=10), and Sal + PM2.5 group (intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 5 mg·kg−1 +Sal 60 mg·kg−1 by gavage, n=10). The mice were administered by gavage once daily, intratracheal instillation once every 3 d, and every 3 d constituted an experimental cycle. At the end of the 26-30th cycles, 3 mice in the control group and 3 mice in the PM2.5 group were randomly sacrificed, and the lung tissues were collected for Masson staining to verify whether the pulmonary fibrosis model was successfully established. After 30 cycles, the model was successfully constructed. After 1 week of continuous observation, the mice were sacrificed, and the blood and lung tissues of the mice were collected to make lung tissue sections. Assay kits were correspondingly employed to detect oxidative stress indicators such as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Western blotting was used to detect the expression of fibrosis-related proteins (Collagen-III, α-SMA), mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (MFN1, Drp1), and mitophagy-related proteins (PINK1, Parkin, and LC3). Results Compared with the control group, the weight gain rate of the PM2.5 group was slowed down (P<0.05), which was alleviated by the Sal intervention (P<0.05). The lung coefficient increased after the PM2.5 exposure (P<0.05), which was alleviated by Sal intervention. Compared with the control group, the PM2.5 group showed severe alveolar structure damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and blue collagen deposition, and significantly increased the lung injury score, collagen volume fraction (CVF), Szapiel score, and Ashcroft score (P<0.05), as well as serum oxidative stress levels (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of Collagen-III, α-SMA, Drp1, PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 II/I were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of MFN1 was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the PM2.5 group, the Sal intervention alleviated lung injury, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition, showing decreased lung injury score, CVF, Szapiel score, and Ashcroft score (P<0.05), and decreased serum oxidative stress levels (P<0.05); the protein expression levels of Collagen-III, α-SMA, PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 II/I were decreased (P<0.05), the expression level of Drp1 was decreased, and the expression level of MFN1 was increased. Conclusion In the process of pulmonary fibrosis induced by PM2.5 exposure in mice, Sal may affect mitochondrial autophagy through PINK1/Parkin pathway and play a protective role. The specific mechanism needs to be further verified.
2.Pathogenesis of Vertigo and Therapeutic Effect of Xiao Chaihutang Based on Theory of Mutual Interference between Clear Qi and Turbid Qi in Huangdi's Internal Classic
Lanyun SHI ; Zhiyong LIU ; Zhen WANG ; Meina ZHAO ; Mengyuan ZHANG ; Chengsi DUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):248-256
As a common medical condition, vertigo can be induced by multiple diseases in the modern medical system. Its incidence rate shows an upward trend with the increase in age. According to the theory of mutual interference between clear Qi and turbid Qi in Huangdi's Internal Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing), this paper systematically analyzes the pathogenesis of vertigo and explores the mechanism and clinical application value of Xiao Chaihutang in the treatment of vertigo. It is believed that the mutual inference between clear Qi and turbid Qi leads to the failure of clear Yang to ascend, resulting in the lack of nourishment for the brain and the inability of turbid Yin to descend, which disturbs the clear orifices, thus causing vertigo. The core pathogenesis lies in the dysfunction of Qi movement, the disorder of body fluid distribution, and the imbalance between Yin and Yang. The compatibility of Xiao Chaihutang takes into account the methods of pungent medicinal materials opening and bitter medicinal materials descending, tonifying deficiency and purging excess, and regulating Qi movement. This prescription can regulate the pathological state of the mutual interference between clear Qi and turbid Qi from three aspects: regulating Qi movement throughout the body, harmonizing the distribution of body fluids, and coordinating Yin and Yang as well as the interior and exterior, thus preventing and treating vertigo. Modern research findings show that Xiao Chaihutang can improve hemodynamics to promote cerebral blood circulation and has anti-inflammation, immunomodulatory, and anti-tumor functions, which correspond to the therapeutic effects of Xiao Chaihutang under the theory of mutual interference between clear Qi and turbid Qi. The decoction exerts therapeutic effects on vertigo caused by hypertension, stroke, otitis media, Meniere’s disease, and brain tumor as well as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Further exploration of the theoretical connotation of mutual inference between clear Qi and turbid Qi and analysis of the pathogenesis of vertigo and the therapeutic effect of Xiao Chaihutang can better interpret the internal correlations among the three, thus providing new ideas for the syndrome differentiation and treatment of vertigo.
3.Role of the iNOS/IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway in chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced insulin resistance
Meina Jin ; Xueli Zhou ; Haibo Li ; Wei Bai ; Chuxuan Jia ; Li Gao ; Lijue Ren ; Qingyu Chen ; Rui Wang ; Hua Li ; Cuiying Wei
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):210-217
Objective :
To pathological changes and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 serine 307(p-IRS1ser 307), phosphorylated protein kinase B serine 473(p-AKTser 473), glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), and gluconeogenic synthase(GS) proteins were observed in the liver of rats under the condition of chronic intermittent hypoxia-replicated oxygen in control. And to explore the role of iNOS/IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway in chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced insulin resistance.
Methods :
Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a control group(NC group) and an experimental group(CIH group), with 20 rats in each group. The NC group was placed in a normoxic environment for 12 weeks, while the CIH group was first subjected to intermittent hypoxia for 8 weeks, and then resumed normoxic rearing until the 12th week. Fasting blood glucose(FBG) and fasting insulin(FINS) were measured at baseline, week 8 and week 12, and liver tissues were taken for pathology and measurement of iNOS, p-IRS1ser 307, p-AKTser 473, GSK3β and GS levels, to compare the differences between groups.
Results:
t baseline, there was no significant difference in liver pathology between the two groups, and the observed indexes were not statistically significant(P>0.05); at 8 weeks, compared with the NC group, liver pathology in the CIH group showed significant disorganization of hepatic blood sinusoids and hepatocyte cords, obvious hepatocyte edema, smaller nuclei, increased lymphocyte infiltration, and a small number of fat vacuoles, significantly higher levels of FBG, FINS, insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR), iNOS mRNA, p-IRS1ser 307 protein, GSK-3β protein levels, and decreased p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein levels, all of which were statistically significant(allP<0.05). IRS1ser 307 protein, GSK-3β protein levels were increased, p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein levels were decreased, and the differences were statistically significant(allP<0.05); at 12 weeks, no lymphocyte infiltration was seen in the CIH group compared with that of the NC group and fat vacuoles significantly increased, and there was no improvement in the other pathological damage that had already occurred, and the levels of p-AKTser 473 protein significantly increased. AKTser 473 protein level significantly increased, p-IRS1ser 307 protein and GS protein levels were significantly reduced, all of which were statistically significant(allP<0.05), and the rest of the observational indexes were not statistically significant. Pearson′s correlation analysis showed that HOMA-IR of CIH group was significantly positively correlated with the levels of iNOS mRNA, p-IRS1ser 307 protein, and GSK-3β protein at 8 weeks(r=0.874, 0.817,0.872;allP<0.05), and significantly negatively correlated with the levels of p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein(r=-0.886,-0.879;allP<0.05).
Conclusion
Chronic intermittent hypoxia can lead to hepatic pathological damage that cannot be reversed even by reoxygenation interventions and may mediate the development of insulin resistance by upregulating the IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway through the upregulation of iNOS mRNA expression.
4.Molecular pathogenesis of a novel p.Cys467Tyr missense variant underlying Hereditary factor Ⅻ deficiency.
Langyi QIN ; Yanhui JIN ; Yaosheng XIE ; Fengjiao WANG ; Lihong YANG ; Haixiao XIE ; Mingshan WANG ; Meina LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(12):1424-1430
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the molecular mechanism for a family with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅻ (FⅫ) deficiency.
METHODS:
The proband, a 63-year-old female, was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in August 2024 for lumbar disc herniation. Coagulation tests, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and FⅫ activity (FⅫ:C), were carried out for the proband and her family members (9 individuals from three generations) using a one-stage clotting assay. The level of FⅫ antigen (FⅫ:Ag) was determined with an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sanger sequencing was conducted to identify potential variants in the F12 gene. Multiple in silico tools were used to predict the conservation, hydrophobicity, and structural impact of the identified variants. Recombinant expression plasmids were constructed and transiently transfected into HEK293T cells. The recombinant FⅫ protein was analyzed using Western blotting (WB) and ELISA. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Ethics No.: KY2022-R193).
RESULTS:
The proband showed a markedly prolonged APTT (160.3 s) and significantly decreased FⅫ:C (2%) and FⅫ:Ag (5%) levels. Analysis of the F12 gene sequence revealed a 46C/T genotype in the promoter region, a heterozygous c.1457G>A (p.Cys467Tyr) missense variant in exon 12, and a heterozygous c.1561G>A (p.Glu502Lys) missense variant in exon 13. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the p.Cys467 is highly conserved across various species, and the p.Cys467Tyr variant may affect local structural stability of the FⅫ protein. The p.Cys467Tyr variant had no effect on the transcription of the F12 gene. However, the variant has significantly decreased the FⅫ:Ag levels and FⅫ protein expression in the cell culture supernatant compared to the wild-type expression vector, while in the cell lysate, it is higher than the wild-type expression vector. In other words, the p.Cys467Tyr variant has probably caused a secretion defect of FⅫ protein.
CONCLUSION
The 46C/T genotype, the heterozygous p.Cys467Tyr missense variant, and the heterozygous p.Glu502Lys missense variant are associated with reduced plasma FⅫ levels in this pedigree. The p.Cys467Tyr variant, which was unreported previously, did not affect the synthesis of FⅫ but may have resulted in a secretion defect.
Humans
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Mutation, Missense
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Pedigree
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HEK293 Cells
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Male
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Factor XII/genetics*
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Adult
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Factor XII Deficiency/genetics*
5.Empirical research of influencing factors of green procurement for medical equipment on the basis of investigation for hospitals of secondary and tertiary grades in Shandong province
Zhen LI ; Tao WANG ; Meina YUAN ; Haixian XU ; Wenxin JIANG ; Baoyang DING
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(10):134-137
Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of green procurement for medical equipment,so as to provide theoretical basis and policy insights for promoting practices of green procurement for medical institutions.Methods:Based on literature review and expert interviews,a questionnaire about influencing factors of green procurement for medical equipment was formulated,which was used to conduct questionnaire survey for medical institutions of secondary and tertiary grades in Shandong province.The questionnaire included the measured indicators and basic information of medical institutions from four dimensions:pressure of external system(7 items),leadership support(4 items),organizational inertia(5 items),and collaboration degree of stakeholder(5 items).The Likert 5-level scale was adopted to conduct scoring of questionnaire,and the differences in various influencing factors between secondary grade hospital and tertiary grade hospital were compared and analyzed.Results:The scores of tertiary grade hospital were respectively 4.00(3.14,4.82),4.25(4.00,5.00),and 3.60(3.00,4.00)at pressure of external system,leadership support(4 items),organizational inertia(5 items)of three dimensions,and they were 3.86(3.11,4.14),4.00(3.75,5.00),and 3.20(2.80,3.80)at secondary grade hospital,and the differences of them between secondary grade hospital and tertiary grade hospital were significant(Z=-2.243,-2.654,-2.538,P<0.05).There was not significant difference at the dimension of collaboration degree of stakeholder between secondary and tertiary hospitals(P>0.05).Conclusion:A series of measures,such as adopting policy support with differentiation,establishing multi-level incentive mechanisms,reducing organizational change resistance,and improving multi-party coordination mechanisms,can further promote green procurement of medical institutions.
6.Analysis of two cases of hereditary protein C deficiency causing venous thrombosis
Mengzhen WEN ; Yifan LU ; Meina LIU ; Langyi QIN ; Yanhui JIN ; Mingshan WANG ; Lihong YANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(3):244-251
Objective:To investigate the molecular pathogenic mechanism of venous thrombosis caused by heterozygous missense mutations in two protein C (PROC) genes through laboratory phenotype analysis, genetic mutation analysis, and in vitro expression experiments.Methods:Two probands presented with venous thromboembolism at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Clinical data and blood samples were collected from the probands and their family members to evaluate the plasma protein C (PC) activity (PC∶A), PC antigen (PC∶Ag) levels, and other relevant coagulation parameters. The anticoagulant capacity was assessed using the thrombin generation test (TGT). The mutation sites of the PROC gene were identified using direct DNA sequencing. Bioinformatics software was used to analyze the conservation and pathogenicity of the mutated gene. PyMOL software was used for the analysis of the protein three-dimensional models and interactions between mutated amino acids. Wild-type and two mutant expression vectors were constructed and HEK293T cells were transiently transfected. Total cellular RNA was extracted from positively transfected cells to investigate the transcriptional levels of the mutant PROC gene. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, and cellular immunofluorescence assays were used to investigate the translation levels of the mutant PROC protein.Results:Probands 1 and 2 exhibited PC∶A levels of 35% and 40% and PC∶Ag levels of 44% and 39%, with increasing D-dimer levels to 4.42 mg/L and 0.83 mg/L, respectively. Meanwhile, other coagulation parameters revealed no significant abnormalities. TGT demonstrated impaired anticoagulant function in both proband witnesses and their familial PC carriers. Sequencing analysis revealed heterozygous missense mutations c. 833T>C (p. Leu278Pro) in proband 1 and c. 1330T>C (p. Trp444Arg) in proband 2 within exon 9 of the PROC gene. Conservation analysis revealed that Leu278 and Trp444 were highly conserved across homologous species. Pathogenicity analysis indicated that both p. Leu278Pro and p. Trp444Arg mutations are deleterious. Protein modeling analysis demonstrated that both mutations induce structural alterations in the protein. In vitro expression experiments revealed that compared with the wild-type, both p. Leu278Pro and p. Trp444Arg mutations showed no significant differences in the mRNA expression level of the PC protein. However, both mutations caused significantly lower PC∶Ag content and protein expression levels in the cell culture supernatant compared with the wild-type, whereas higher levels were observed in the cell culture lysate. This indicates the association of both mutations with the secretion function of the PC protein.Conclusion:The heterozygous missense mutations p. Leu278Pro and p. Trp444Arg in exon 9 of the PROC gene in both probands are associated with decreased PC levels.
7.Nursing care for 5 patients undergoing heart transplantation following removal of implantable left ventricular assist devices
Yan MA ; Xiangyu WANG ; Meina ZANG ; Conghui GUO ; Haiying XING ; Rong WU ; Qingyin LI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(8):981-985
This study summarizes the preoperative and intraoperative nursing experience in 5 cases of bridge-to-transplant heart transplantation with left ventricular assist device(LVAD)explant.Key points of nursing include:preoperative care and assessment of LVAD patients,preoperative discussion of the multidisciplinary team,safe transfer of patients to surgical rooms and other preoperative preparation,cardiomyocardial protection and multidisciplinary team cooperation during bridging transplantation,and intra-operative patient safety management.All 5 patients in this group successfully completed the surgery and were discharged.Pressure sores,wound infections,and other postoperative complications have not occurred.Postoperative cardiac function of 5 patients in this group were classified as New York Heart Association class Ⅰ~Ⅱ.The follow-up period for the 5 patients in this group ranged from 6 months to 6 years.The results of the most recent echocardiography follow-up showed that the left ventricular ejection fraction of all patients was all above 65%,with well prognosis.
8.Phenotypes and genotypes of 85 strains of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Meina WANG ; Qinglan MENG ; Junrui WANG ; Wenqi ZHENG ; Quan FU ; Yan GU
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1299-1304
OBJECTIVE To detect the phenotypes and genotypes of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE)strains and understand the drug resistance phenotypes and molecular characteristics of the CRE strains.METHODS Totally 85 strains of CRE were isolated and restored in microbiology lab of Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from Jan.2019 to Aug.2023.The phenotypes of carbapenemases were detected by means of carbapenemase inhibitor enhancement test,the genotypes of carbapenemases were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and the sequence type(ST)was further analyzed by multilocus sequence typing(MLST).RESULTS Among the 85 strains of CRE that were detected for phenotypes,54 strains carried serinase(type A carbapenemase),23 strains carried metalloenzyme(type B carbapenemase),5 strains produced both type A and type B carbapenemase,and 3 strains produced neither the type A and/or type B carbapenemase.Totally 5 common genotypes of carbapenemases were amplified for 73 strains of CRE,the detection rate of blaKPC was highest,fol-lowed by blaNDM;the drug resistance genes blaIMP,blaVIM and blaOXA-48 were not detected.The 51 strains of car-bapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)were classified into 7 types of ST in total,which were as fol-lows:ST1,ST11,ST15,ST23,ST34,ST690,ST4862.CONCLUSIONS The isolation rate of CRKP is highest among the CRE strains,and ST11 is the most prevalent strain.Serinase is the most common drug resistance phe-notype,and KPC type carbapenemase is the predominant drug resistance genotype.
9.Determination of fluoride in Mongolian milk tea powder by Taka amylase enzymolysis ion-selective electrode method
Zhixian YANG ; Meina SHAN ; Ke LI ; Hui WANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(10):854-858
Objective:To establish an accurate, stable, and convenient Taka amylase enzymolysis ion-selective electrode method for determination of trace fluoride in Mongolian milk tea powder.Methods:The samples of instant Mongolian milk tea powder were heated and dried at 50 ℃, 1.0 g of the sample was accurately weighed and dissolved in pure water. The sample solution, Taka amylase, and total ion strength buffer solution were mixed and enzymatically hydrolyzed in a 55 ℃ water bath for 60 minutes. After cooling, filtration was carried out. The clarified liquid was collected and the fluoride content was detected by the ion-selective electrode method, and the method validation test was conducted.Results:When the standard linear concentration range was 0.2 to 5.0 mg/L, the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.999 5 to 0.999 9. The detection limit of the method was 0.006 mg/kg. The relative standard deviations ( RSD) for detecting high, medium, and low concentration samples were 0.8%, 1.9%, and 2.1%, respectively. The recovery rates ranged from 98% to 101%, 95% to 101%, and 101% to 107%, respectively. This method simultaneously measured the same batch of samples with the second method of the "National Food Safety Standard - Determination of Fluorine in Foods" (GB 5009.18-2025) - the ion-selective electrode method. The results were (23.1 ± 7.7) and (22.5 ± 7.6) mg/kg, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two methods ( t = 2.01, P = 0.066). Conclusion:The Taka amylase enzymolysis ion-selective electrode method has good reproducibility and high accuracy, making it suitable for determination of trace fluoride in Mongolian milk tea powder.
10.Analysis of a Chinese pedigree with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅻ deficiency due to compound heterozygous variants of Ⅻ gene.
Haixiao XIE ; Huanhuan WANG ; Meina LIU ; Huinan XIA ; Yuan CHEN ; Kaiqi JIA ; Lihong YANG ; Mingshan WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(3):282-285
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze a Chinese pedigree with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅻ (FⅫ) deficiency duo to variants of F12 gene and explore its molecular pathogenesis.
METHODS:
A patient who underwent laparoscopic cystectomy at the Department of Gynecology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in June 2012 was selected as the study subject. Coagulation factor indexes of the proband and her family members (5 individuals from three generations) were determined. All exons, flanking sequences, 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the F12 gene of the proband and her family members were analyzed by direct sequencing. Three bioinformatics software was used to analyze the conservation, pathogenicity and protein model of the variant. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No. 2012-17).
RESULTS:
The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), FⅫ activity (FⅫ:C) and FⅫ antigen (FⅫ:Ag) of the proband was 180.0 s, 1.0% and 2.1%, respectively. DNA sequencing revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene, namely c.712_713insT (p.Cys238Leufs *73) in exon 8 and c.1561G>A (p.Glu521Lys) in exon 13. Her mother and younger son were heterozygous for the p.Cys238Leufs*73 variant, while her older son was heterozygous for the p.Glu521Lys variant. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that Cys238 is highly conserved and p.Cys238Leufs*73 is a pathogenic variant, which eventually resulted in a truncated protein.
CONCLUSION
The c.712_713insT and c.1561G>A compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene probably underlay the decreased FⅫ level in this pedigree, among which c.712_713insT (NM_000505) was unreported previously.
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
;
Base Sequence
;
China
;
Factor XII/genetics*
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Heterozygote
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Mutation
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Pedigree
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Factor XII Deficiency/genetics*
;
East Asian People


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