Objective:To provide preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for a patient with Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) due to IKBKG gene variant but without family samples through construction of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based haplotype by Long-read sequencing (LRS) technology. Methods:A female IP patient with a heterozygous IKBKG c. 1167dup variant but without family genetic data who sought genetic counseling at Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University in November 2021 was selected as the study subject. The IKBKG gene has a highly homologous pseudogene IKBKGP1. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the couple, and LRS was used to obtain informative SNP loci flanking the variant locus, enabling the construction of SNP haplotype with a long segment spanning from the non-homologous region of IKBKG to the variant site. Trophoblast cells were biopsied from blastocysts fertilized through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to determine the SNP information of the embryos. Linkage analysis with the parental SNP haplotypes was conducted to detect the carrier status of the embryos and exclude chromosomal aneuploidies. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate the result. A euploid embryo without the pathogenic variant was selected for transfer. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out by amniocentesis at mid-trimester to verify the result of PGT, and follow-up was conducted after the baby was born. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2023-094). Results:In total seven blastocysts were tested, and PGT results indicated that two embryos were euploid and did not carry the pathogenic variant. One euploid embryo was transferred, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 24 weeks of gestation confirmed that the status of fetal IKBKG gene, and its chromosomal status was consistent with the PGT results. A healthy male infant was born at 38 + 6 weeks of gestation. Conclusion:For IP patients with de novo mutation or without family samples, PGT with LRS can directly construct the SNP-based haplotype while avoiding interference from pseudogenes, providing an effective strategy for PGT.

Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) represents a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrating effects on blood circulation activation and stasis removal, and has been widely utilized in asthma treatment. This study isolated a novel phenolic acid (S1) from S. miltiorrhiza and investigated its anti-asthmatic activity and underlying mechanisms for the first time. An allergic asthma (AA) model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). The mechanism of S1's effects on AA was investigated using multi-factor joint analysis, flow cytometry, and co-culture systems to facilitate clinical asthma treatment. S1 (10 or 20 mg·kg^-1) was administered daily to mice with OVA-induced AA (OVA-AA) during days 21-25. The study examined airway responsiveness, lung damage, inflammation, and levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), PGD2, interleukins (IL-4, 5, 10, 13, 17A), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. Additionally, mast cell (MC) activation and degranulation were explored, along with T helper type 17 (Th17)/Treg immune cells and TLR4 pathway biomarkers. The antagonistic activity of that specific antagonist of TLR4 (TAK-242) (1 µmol·L^-1), a specific TLR4 blocker, against S1 (10 µmol·L^-1) was examined in co-cultured 16HBE cells and bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) or splenic lymphocytes (SLs) induced with LPS (1 µg·mL^-1) to elucidate the TLR4 pathway's mediating role. S1 demonstrated reduced airway responsiveness, lung damage, and inflammation, with downregulation of IgE, PGD2, interleukins, TNF-α, GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. It also impeded MC activation and degranulation, upregulated IL-10, and influenced Th17/Treg immune cell transformation following OVA challenge. Furthermore, S1 inhibited the TLR4 pathway in OVA-AA mice, and TLR4 antagonism enhanced S1's positive effects. Analysis using an OVA-AA mouse model demonstrated that S1 alleviates AA clinical symptoms, restores lung function, and inhibits airway response. S1's therapeutic effects occur through regulation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inflammation, attributable at least partially to the TLR4 pathway. This study provides molecular justification for S1 in AA treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To provide preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for a patient with Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) due to IKBKG gene variant but without family samples through construction of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based haplotype by Long-read sequencing (LRS) technology. METHODS: A female IP patient with a heterozygous IKBKG c.1167dup variant but without family genetic data who sought genetic counseling at Women and Children' Hospital of Ningbo University in November 2021 was selected as the study subject. The IKBKG gene has a highly homologous pseudogene IKBKGP1. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the couple, and LRS was used to obtain informative SNP loci flanking the variant locus, enabling the construction of SNP haplotype with a long segment spanning from the non-homologous region of IKBKG to the variant site. Trophoblast cells were biopsied from blastocysts fertilized through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to determine the SNP information of the embryos. Linkage analysis with the parental SNP haplotypes was conducted to detect the carrier status of the embryos and exclude chromosomal aneuploidies. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate the result. A euploid embryo without the pathogenic variant was selected for transfer. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out by amniocentesis at mid-trimester to verify the result of PGT tests, and follow-up was conducted after the baby was born. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2023-094). RESULTS: A total of seven blastocysts were tested, and PGT results indicated that two embryos were euploid and did not carry the pathogenic variant. One euploid embryo was transferred, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 24 weeks of gestation confirmed that the status of fetal IKBKG gene, and its chromosomal status was consistent with the PGT results. A healthy male infant was born at 38+6 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION For IP patients with de novo mutation or without family genetic samples, PGT with LRS can directly construct the SNP-based haplotype while avoiding interference from pseudogenes, providing an effective strategy for PGT.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Haplotypes/genetics* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods* ; I-kappa B Kinase/genetics* ; Incontinentia Pigmenti/diagnosis* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics* ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Infant, Newborn

Ischemic bowel disease(IBD)is a prevalent intestinal vascular disease that poses a serious threat to patients' lives and health.Tthe key pathological process of ischemic bowel disease is intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(II/R)injury.If not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner,it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as peritonitis,intestinal gangrene perforation,and multiple organ dysfunction.Current treatments primarily focus on symptomatic and surgical interventions,lacking targeted pharmacological therapies.A substantial body of research has found that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)exhibits a protective effect against II/R injury.This review systematically elaborated on the mechanisms by which various TCM bioactive components,including Astragaloside IV,Ginsenosides,Salvianolic acids,and Tetramethylpyrazine,as well as compound formulations such as Shenqi injection,Taoren Chengqi decoction,and Sini decoction ameliorate II/R injury.These findings provide novel research perspectives for developing TCM-based therapeutics for IBD.

Objective:To identify and summarize the best evidence for pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) during pregnancy.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in databases including UpToData, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, Yiigle, and Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Based Healthcare Center Database and so on. The search spanned from January 1, 2018, to March 16, 2023. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of clinical decision-making articles, expert consensus, and systematic reviews, while four researchers appraised the quality of guidelines. Evidence extraction and grading were performed independently by two researchers.Results:A total of nine documents were included: three guidelines, two clinical decision-making articles, one expert consensus, and three systematic reviews. A total of 20 evidence-based recommendations were summarized in six categories: indications and contraindications, assessment, implementation plans, supervision and follow-up, management, and outcome evaluation.Conclusions:PFME during pregnancy is effective in preventing PFD. Healthcare providers should integrate best evidence into clinical practice to develop tailored PFME plans for pregnant women, aiming to prevent PFD.

Ischemic bowel disease(IBD)is a prevalent intestinal vascular disease that poses a serious threat to patients' lives and health.Tthe key pathological process of ischemic bowel disease is intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(II/R)injury.If not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner,it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as peritonitis,intestinal gangrene perforation,and multiple organ dysfunction.Current treatments primarily focus on symptomatic and surgical interventions,lacking targeted pharmacological therapies.A substantial body of research has found that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)exhibits a protective effect against II/R injury.This review systematically elaborated on the mechanisms by which various TCM bioactive components,including Astragaloside IV,Ginsenosides,Salvianolic acids,and Tetramethylpyrazine,as well as compound formulations such as Shenqi injection,Taoren Chengqi decoction,and Sini decoction ameliorate II/R injury.These findings provide novel research perspectives for developing TCM-based therapeutics for IBD.

Objective:To identify and summarize the best evidence for pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) during pregnancy.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in databases including UpToData, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, Yiigle, and Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Based Healthcare Center Database and so on. The search spanned from January 1, 2018, to March 16, 2023. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of clinical decision-making articles, expert consensus, and systematic reviews, while four researchers appraised the quality of guidelines. Evidence extraction and grading were performed independently by two researchers.Results:A total of nine documents were included: three guidelines, two clinical decision-making articles, one expert consensus, and three systematic reviews. A total of 20 evidence-based recommendations were summarized in six categories: indications and contraindications, assessment, implementation plans, supervision and follow-up, management, and outcome evaluation.Conclusions:PFME during pregnancy is effective in preventing PFD. Healthcare providers should integrate best evidence into clinical practice to develop tailored PFME plans for pregnant women, aiming to prevent PFD.

Objective:To provide preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for a patient with Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) due to IKBKG gene variant but without family samples through construction of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based haplotype by Long-read sequencing (LRS) technology. Methods:A female IP patient with a heterozygous IKBKG c. 1167dup variant but without family genetic data who sought genetic counseling at Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University in November 2021 was selected as the study subject. The IKBKG gene has a highly homologous pseudogene IKBKGP1. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the couple, and LRS was used to obtain informative SNP loci flanking the variant locus, enabling the construction of SNP haplotype with a long segment spanning from the non-homologous region of IKBKG to the variant site. Trophoblast cells were biopsied from blastocysts fertilized through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to determine the SNP information of the embryos. Linkage analysis with the parental SNP haplotypes was conducted to detect the carrier status of the embryos and exclude chromosomal aneuploidies. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate the result. A euploid embryo without the pathogenic variant was selected for transfer. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out by amniocentesis at mid-trimester to verify the result of PGT, and follow-up was conducted after the baby was born. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2023-094). Results:In total seven blastocysts were tested, and PGT results indicated that two embryos were euploid and did not carry the pathogenic variant. One euploid embryo was transferred, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 24 weeks of gestation confirmed that the status of fetal IKBKG gene, and its chromosomal status was consistent with the PGT results. A healthy male infant was born at 38 + 6 weeks of gestation. Conclusion:For IP patients with de novo mutation or without family samples, PGT with LRS can directly construct the SNP-based haplotype while avoiding interference from pseudogenes, providing an effective strategy for PGT.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of iron sulfur cluster binding protein 1(ISCA1)mag-netic field on calcium inflow.METHODS ① A plasmid containing the ISCA1、Magneto 2.0 gene sequence,and an empty plasmid was prepared for lentivirus packaging,with all the three plasmids carrying the mCherry gene.The infection efficiency of lentiviruses was assessed using fluorescence microscopy.② The immunoprecipitation technique was employed to ascertain the interactions between ISCA1 and cryptochrome(CRY1)as well as CRY2 proteins.③ The technique of live cell calcium imaging was used to detect the intracellular calcium influx in cells exhibiting high levels of ISCA1 or Magneto 2.0 expression under the influence of a magnetic field(40 mT,0.1Hz,90%duty cycle).RESULTS ① Red fluorescence was observed by fluorescence microscopy,indicating successful transfection of lentivirus.② The exogenous ISCA1 proteins exhibited no affinity towards the endogenous CRY1 or CRY2 proteins.③ The green fluorescence intensity of the Magneto 2.0 group increased by(1.8±0.5)times compared to the pre-magnetic addition level,indicating a significant influx of calcium ions.However,there was no significant difference in the green fluorescence intensity between the ISCA1 group and control group before and after magnetic addition.CONCLUSION Cells with exogenously high expres-sion of ISCA1 do not elicit calcium influx and exhibit no discernible magnetic induction following stimula-tion by this magnetic field.

Objective To analyze the expression of CREM in gastric cancer(GC)and its correlation with prognosis of the patients.Methods TCGA and GEO databases were used to analyze the expression levels of CREM mRNA in GC and adjacent tissues.Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of CREM protein in 43 pairs of GC and adjacent tissues,and the correlation of CREM expression with clinicopathological features of the patients was analyzed.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to explore the relationship between CREM expression and survival of GC patients.LinkedOmics database was used to annotate the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of CREM-related genes.Results Database analysis showed that CREM was highly expressed in GC tissues(P<0.05)and positively correlated with poor prognosis in GC patients(P=0.01).Immunohistochemistry results showed significantly higher CREM expression in GC tissues than in paired adjacent tissues(P<0.0001),and its expression level was correlated with T-stage and N-stage of the tumor(P<0.05).The overall survival of GC patients with high expression of CREM was shorter(RR=4.02,P=0.0046).Gene enrichment analysis showed that high CREM expression promotes occurrence and progression of GC very likely through the cell adhesion signaling pathway.Conclusion CREM is highly expressed in GC,and its high expression is associated with a poor prognosis of GC patients,suggesting the potential of CREM to serve as a prognostic indicator for GC.