OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted chromosomal karyotype analysis in the diagnosis of prenatal chromosomal mosaicism. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 172 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis at the Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2019 and December 2024. All cases whose fetuses were diagnosed with chromosomal mosaicism via karyotype analysis and stratified into two groups based on the analytical software employed: the conventional analysis group (n = 70), which utilized Leica analysis software for karyotype image recognition and cell counting; and the AI-assisted analysis group (n = 102), which utilized AI-assisted software for the same procedures. The clinical performance of AI-assisted karyotype analysis in diagnosing chromosomal mosaicism was comprehensively evaluated by comparing the types of mosaic karyotypes, distribution of mosaic ratios, and verification outcomes of different detection modalities between the two groups. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No.: 2024-406-01). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in baseline characteristics (maternal age, gestational week, and indications for prenatal diagnosis) between the two groups. Regarding the detection efficacy for numerical and structural mosaicisms, no significant difference was found in the detection of numerical mosaicism. However, the conventional analysis group exhibited a significantly higher detection rate of autosomal structural mosaicism compared to the AI-assisted group (11.43% vs. 0.98%, P < 0.05). Numerical mosaicism cases were further verified using copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The AI-assisted group demonstrated a significantly lower inconsistency rate (5.56% vs. 20.41%, P < 0.05) compared to the conventional group. For low-proportion (< 10%) chromosomal mosaicism, the AI-assisted group had a significantly lower detection rate (13.25% vs. 29.69%, P < 0.05). Subsequent validation of low-proportion mosaicism by CNV-seq and/or FISH showed a higher consistency rate in the AI-assisted group (81.82% vs. 54.55%), though the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.360). CONCLUSION For the karyotyping analysis of prenatal chromosomal mosaicism, AI-assisted karyotype analysis shows high accuracy and consistency in identifying numerical chromosomal mosaicism, particularly in reducing the detection of low-proportion (< 10%) mosaicism while improving verification accuracy. AI-assisted analysis can significantly improve the detection accuracy of numerical mosaicism and mitigate the risk of misclassification for low-proportion (< 10%) mosaicism, thereby providing more precise clinical evidence for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal mosaicisms.
Humans ; Female ; Mosaicism ; Pregnancy ; Karyotyping/methods* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Amniocentesis

ObjectiveTo establish a mouse model of particulate matter 2.5 （PM_2.5）-induced dry eye and investigate whether Chufeng Yisuntang can ameliorate the PM_2.5-induced ocular surface damage by regulating the reactive oxygen species （ROS）/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） signaling pathway. MethodsSixty 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were used. Ten were randomly selected as the control group. The remaining 50 mice received topical instillation of 1 drop （0.1 mL） of 5 g·L^-1 PM_2.5 suspension in both eyes， four times daily. Successfully modeled mice were randomized into four groups （n=10）： Model， p38 MAPK inhibitor， Chufeng Yisuntang， and combination （Chufeng Yisuntang at 7.3 g·kg^-1 + p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 at 5 mg·kg^-1）. Chufeng Yisuntang was administered via gavage， and the inhibitor group via intraperitoneal injection. The control and model groups received equal volumes of distilled water by gavage. All treatments lasted for 4 weeks. General conditions were dynamically observed. Tear secretion， tear film break-up time， and corneal fluorescein staining were assessed. After intervention for 4 weeks， hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was used to examine the histopathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to measure serum levels of ROS， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） 1， and SOD2. Western blot and Real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and gene levels， respectively， of p38 MAPK， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 （Caspase-3） in the corneal tissue. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited reduced tear secretion volume and tear film breakup time， along with increased corneal fluorescein staining scores （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Chufeng Yisuntang group， p38 MAPK inhibitor group， and combination group demonstrated increased tear secretion volume and tear film breakup time， along with decreased corneal fluorescein staining scores （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited marked increases in corneal epithelial cell layers and epithelial thickness， along with reduced meibomian gland acini and intensely stained， densely packed nuclei around the acini. Compared with the model group， the Chufeng Yisuntang group， p38 MAPK inhibitor group， and combination group showed intact corneal structure， improved cell morphology， and reduced damage severity. ELISA revealed elevated ROS and MDA levels （P<0.01） and decreased SOD1 and SOD2 levels （P<0.01） in the model group compared with the control group. Compared with the model group， Chufeng Yisuntang， p38 MAPK inhibitor， and the combination lowered ROS and MDA levels （P<0.01）， while raising SOD1 and SOD2 levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Western blot revealed that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited increased protein levels of p38 MAPK， Bax， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01） and reduced protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Chufeng Yisuntang， p38 MAPK inhibitor， and the combination down-regulated the protein levels of p38 MAPK， Bax， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）， while up-regulating the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the Chufeng Yisuntang group， the combination group exhibited decreased protein levels of p38 MAPK， Bax， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01） and increased protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Real-time PCR revealed that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited upregulated mRNA levels of p38 MAPK， Bax， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）， and downregulated mRNA level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Chufeng Yisuntang， p38 MAPK inhibitor， and the combination down-regulated the mRNA levels of p38 MAPK， Bax， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）， while up-regulating the mRNA level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the Chufeng Yisuntang group， the combination group exhibited decreased mRNA levels of p38 MAPK， Bax， and Caspase-3 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01） and increased mRNA level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionChufeng Yisuntang may partially protect against PM_2.5-induced corneal injury by inhibiting the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway， enhancing antioxidant defense， and reducing epithelial apoptosis.

Objective To analyze the difference of psoas major muscle morphology and pain degree in patients with different types of lumbar disc herniation ( LDH ) by quantitative CT, and to further explore the relationship between psoas major muscle morphology and pain degree. Methods A total of 120 patients with LDH admitted to our hospital from January to December 2025 were enrolled as study subjects. Based on clinical symptoms and lesion location, they were divided into a simple lower extremity pain group and a lumbar and leg pain group. All patients underwent lumbar CT examination. The psoas major muscle index was used as a CT quantitative parameter, which was calculated as the mean of the maximum cross-sectional areas of both psoas major muscles divided by the cross-sectional area of the L5 vertebral body. This index was measured to reflect psoas major muscle morphology. Pain severity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Differences in psoas major muscle morphology and pain severity between the two groups were compared. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the psoas major muscle index and pain severity. A linear regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting pain severity. Results There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). The disease duration was longer and the incidence of anxiety and depression was higher in the lumbar and leg pain group than those in the simple lower extremity pain group (P<0.05). Compared with the simple lower extremity pain group, the lumbar and leg pain group showed lower psoas major muscle index [(0.53 ± 0.05) vs. (0.61 ± 0.07)] and higher VAS score [(4.67 ± 1.10) vs. (3.02 ± 0.89)], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the psoas major muscle index and the VAS score (r=−0.288, P<0.05). Linear regression model analysis indicated that the independent risk factors affecting the VAS score were age, disease duration, LDH type, and the psoas major muscle index. Conclusion Compared with LDH patients with simple lower extremity pain, those with lumbar and leg pain demonstrate a longer disease duration, a higher incidence of anxiety and depression, and a higher severity of psoas major muscle atrophy and pain. The severity of pain is associated with not only advanced age and prolonged disease duration but also the LDH type and psoas major muscle atrophy.

Objective To analyze the difference of psoas major muscle morphology and pain degree in patients with different types of lumbar disc herniation ( LDH ) by quantitative CT, and to further explore the relationship between psoas major muscle morphology and pain degree. Methods A total of 120 patients with LDH admitted to our hospital from January to December 2025 were enrolled as study subjects. Based on clinical symptoms and lesion location, they were divided into a simple lower extremity pain group and a lumbar and leg pain group. All patients underwent lumbar CT examination. The psoas major muscle index was used as a CT quantitative parameter, which was calculated as the mean of the maximum cross-sectional areas of both psoas major muscles divided by the cross-sectional area of the L5 vertebral body. This index was measured to reflect psoas major muscle morphology. Pain severity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Differences in psoas major muscle morphology and pain severity between the two groups were compared. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the psoas major muscle index and pain severity. A linear regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting pain severity. Results There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). The disease duration was longer and the incidence of anxiety and depression was higher in the lumbar and leg pain group than those in the simple lower extremity pain group (P<0.05). Compared with the simple lower extremity pain group, the lumbar and leg pain group showed lower psoas major muscle index [(0.53 ± 0.05) vs. (0.61 ± 0.07)] and higher VAS score [(4.67 ± 1.10) vs. (3.02 ± 0.89)], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the psoas major muscle index and the VAS score (r=−0.288, P<0.05). Linear regression model analysis indicated that the independent risk factors affecting the VAS score were age, disease duration, LDH type, and the psoas major muscle index. Conclusion Compared with LDH patients with simple lower extremity pain, those with lumbar and leg pain demonstrate a longer disease duration, a higher incidence of anxiety and depression, and a higher severity of psoas major muscle atrophy and pain. The severity of pain is associated with not only advanced age and prolonged disease duration but also the LDH type and psoas major muscle atrophy.

Objective To analyze the difference of psoas major muscle morphology and pain degree in patients with different types of lumbar disc herniation ( LDH ) by quantitative CT, and to further explore the relationship between psoas major muscle morphology and pain degree. Methods A total of 120 patients with LDH admitted to our hospital from January to December 2025 were enrolled as study subjects. Based on clinical symptoms and lesion location, they were divided into a simple lower extremity pain group and a lumbar and leg pain group. All patients underwent lumbar CT examination. The psoas major muscle index was used as a CT quantitative parameter, which was calculated as the mean of the maximum cross-sectional areas of both psoas major muscles divided by the cross-sectional area of the L5 vertebral body. This index was measured to reflect psoas major muscle morphology. Pain severity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Differences in psoas major muscle morphology and pain severity between the two groups were compared. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the psoas major muscle index and pain severity. A linear regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting pain severity. Results There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). The disease duration was longer and the incidence of anxiety and depression was higher in the lumbar and leg pain group than those in the simple lower extremity pain group (P<0.05). Compared with the simple lower extremity pain group, the lumbar and leg pain group showed lower psoas major muscle index [(0.53 ± 0.05) vs. (0.61 ± 0.07)] and higher VAS score [(4.67 ± 1.10) vs. (3.02 ± 0.89)], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the psoas major muscle index and the VAS score (r=−0.288, P<0.05). Linear regression model analysis indicated that the independent risk factors affecting the VAS score were age, disease duration, LDH type, and the psoas major muscle index. Conclusion Compared with LDH patients with simple lower extremity pain, those with lumbar and leg pain demonstrate a longer disease duration, a higher incidence of anxiety and depression, and a higher severity of psoas major muscle atrophy and pain. The severity of pain is associated with not only advanced age and prolonged disease duration but also the LDH type and psoas major muscle atrophy.

Objective To systematically evaluate and integrate qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in community-dwelling older adults with frailty,and to provide references for clinical development of targeted exercise intervention strategies.Methods A systematic search of PubMed,Medline,Embase,PsycINFO,the Cochrane Library,SinoMed,Wanfang Database,CNKI,and VIP Database for qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in older adults with frailty in the community was conducted from the inception of the databases to June 2024.Literature quality was evaluated using the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research(2016 edition),and Meta-synthesis was performed using the theme synthesis method.Results A total of 10 papers were included,grouped into 10 categories and integrated into the 3 domains of the capability,opportunity,and motivation-behavior model(COM-B model),i.e.Preparation for exercise behavior is influenced by capability factors(physical reserve,knowledge reserve,psychological preparation);stage-specific motivational evolution promotes the internalization of exercise behavior(guiding,focusing,stimulating,and maintaining);external conditions provide opportunities for exercise behavior(individual interaction,community environment,and social support).Conclusion Perceptions of exercise behavior among community-dwelling older adults with frailty or are complex and influenced by a variety of factors.Future exercise intervention strategies should consider modifiable factors,enhance knowledge education,stimulate intrinsic motivation,and solidify external conditions,while also accommodating individual differences and preferences,so as to promote exercise participation and health enhancement in this group.

This review summarizes the concept and prescription classification of high-intensity interval training, its current application in cardiac rehabilitation, its effects on cardiac rehabilitation, and its feasibility. The goal is to provide a reference for the application and promotion of HIIT intervention in elderly patients with coronary heart disease in China.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of sleep quality among the elderly in nursing homes in Changning District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into prevention and intervention strategies for improving sleep quality and overall quality of life for the elderly. Methods: The elderly from 25 nursing homes in Changning District were selected using a two-stage sampling method. Basic information including gender, age and types of medication were collected. Sleep quality was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale, and depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Factors affecting sleep quality among the elderly in nursing homes were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 739 participants were surveyed, including 516 males (69.82%) and 223 females (30.18%). The majority of participants were aged 80 to <90 years (478, 64.68%). Among them, 432 participants (58.46%) had normal sleep, 144 (19.49%) had suspected insomnia, and 163 (22.06%) had insomnia. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that older age (OR=1.030, 95%CI: 1.005-1.055), more medication types (OR=1.971, 95%CI: 1.381-2.812), frequent nighttime bathroom visits (OR=2.921, 95%CI: 1.853-4.605) and depressive symptoms (OR=3.295, 95%CI: 2.440-4.449) were associated with a higher risk of insomnia among the elderly in nursing homes. Conclusions Insomnia was reported in 22.06% of the elderly in nursing homes in Changning District. Age, the number of medication types, frequency of nighttime bathroom visits, and depressive symptoms are the main influencing factors for their sleep quality.

N-dodecanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C12-HSL) is a signaling molecule that mediates bacterial quorum sensing, regulating bacterial population behaviors. This study investigated the effects of C12-HSL on the isolation and cultivation of gut microbiota, with the goal of enriching the diversity and number of cultivable bacterial strains from the mouse gut microbiota. Using a culture medium supplemented with C12-HSL, we isolated and cultivated bacterial strains from mouse intestinal contents, obtaining a total of 235 isolates. Preliminary identification based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed 54 bacterial species, including 4 potential new species, 4 potential new genera and 1 potential new family. Compared with the previously established mouse gut microbial biobank (mGMB), this study newly identified 42 bacterial species, enhancing the diversity of the strain library. Statistical analysis showed that the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria, particularly those belonging to Proteobacteria, isolated by this method was significantly higher than that obtained by conventional isolation and cultivation methods without the addition of C12-HSL. Subsequent cultivation experiments with one of the newly discovered bacterial species indicated that exogenous C12-HSL at 20-200 μmol/L significantly promoted the growth of this species, while higher concentrations of C12-HSL significantly reduced the cell density of this bacterium. This work confirms that quorum sensing molecules, such as C12-HSL, can enhance the growth, isolation, and cultivation of Gram-negative bacteria in the gut within a specific concentration range. Although the mechanism by which C12-HSL promotes the growth of gut bacterial strains requires further investigation, the findings of this study provide new insights into the targeted isolation, cultivation, and regulation of gut microbiota using bacterial quorum sensing signal molecules.
Animals ; Mice ; Acyl-Butyrolactones/pharmacology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Quorum Sensing ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/classification* ; Intestines/microbiology* ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics* ; Culture Media

The disturbance of the human microbiota influences the occurrence and progression of many diseases. Live therapeutic bacteria, with their genetic manipulability, anaerobic tendencies, and immunomodulatory properties, are emerging as promising therapeutic agents. However, their clinical applications face challenges in maintaining activity and achieving precise spatiotemporal release, particularly in the harsh gastrointestinal environment. This review highlights the innovative bacterial functionalized encapsulation strategies developed through advances in physicochemical and biological techniques. We comprehensively review how bacterial encapsulation strategies can be used to provide physical barriers and enhanced adhesion properties to live microorganisms, while introducing superior material properties to live bacteria. In addition, this review outlines how bacterial surface coating can facilitate targeted delivery and precise spatiotemporal release of live bacteria. Furthermore, it elucidates their potential applications for treating different diseases, along with critical perspectives on challenges in clinical translation. This review comprehensively analyzes the connection between functionalized bacterial encapsulation and innovative biomedical applications, providing a theoretical reference for the development of next-generation bacterial therapies.