The genome tagging project (GTP) plays a pivotal role in addressing a critical gap in the understanding of protein functions. Within this framework, we successfully generated a human influenza hemagglutinin-tagged sperm-specific protein 411 (HA-tagged Ssp411) mouse model. This model is instrumental in probing the expression and function of Ssp411. Our research revealed that Ssp411 is expressed in the round spermatids, elongating spermatids, elongated spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. The comprehensive examination of the distribution of Ssp411 in these germ cells offers new perspectives on its involvement in spermiogenesis. Nevertheless, rigorous further inquiry is imperative to elucidate the precise mechanistic underpinnings of these functions. Ssp411 is not detectable in metaphase II (MII) oocytes, zygotes, or 2-cell stage embryos, highlighting its intricate role in early embryonic development. These findings not only advance our understanding of the role of Ssp411 in reproductive physiology but also significantly contribute to the overarching goals of the GTP, fostering groundbreaking advancements in the fields of spermiogenesis and reproductive biology.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatids/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Thioredoxins/genetics*

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics. Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges. A two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometr (LC-MS) method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium (CMS). A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated. For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS, a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution (HR) mass spectrum database of CMS components was established. The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening. On this basis, the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned. The molecular formula, group composition, and origins of a total of 99 compounds, of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95% of CMS components, were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL. This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h, providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of Yishen Gujing Kangyan Prescription(with the actions of benefiting the kidneys,consolidating essence and anti-inflammatory,mainly composed of Imperatae Rhizoma,Codonopsis Radix,Corni Fructus,Moutan Cortex,Lycii Fructus,Cuscutae Semen,Dioscoreae Rhizoma,honey-roasted Astragali Radix,Poria,Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,etc.)in the treatment of lupus nephritis(LN)of qi and yin deficiency type.Methods A total of 116 patients with LN of qi and yin deficiency type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,58 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment,and the observation group was treated with the combination of Yishen Gujing Kangyan Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.Both groups were treated for a period of 6 months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,renal function parameters,immune function indicators,serum interleukin 18(IL-18),homocysteine(Hcy),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),cystatin C(Cys C)levels in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and the negative-conversion of anti-double-stranded DNA(ds-DNA)antibody were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 94.83%(55/58),and that of the control group was 75.86%(44/58).The intergroup comparison showed that the therapeutic effect of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(χ2 = 5.453,P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of primary symptoms(edema,fatigue)and secondary symptoms(lumbar and knee soreness,loose stools)in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering the scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of renal function parameters of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Scr),and 24-hour urine protein quantification of the two groups were all lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering renal function parameters in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,serum IL-18,TGF-β1,Hcy and Cys C levels of the two groups of patients were all reduced compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering the levels of inflammatory factors and fibrosis parameters in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of immune function indicators of T cell subsets CD4+,CD4+/CD8+ and complement C3 in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(6)The negative-conversion rate of anti-ds-DNA antibody in the observation group was 77.59%(45/58),which was significantly higher than that in the control group(55.17%,32/58),and the difference was statistically significant between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of patients with LN of qi and yin deficiency type,Yishen Gujing Kangyan Prescription exerts synergistic effect on reducing inflammatory response,regulating immune function,promoting the recovery of renal function,and enhancing clinical efficacy.

The Piezo protein is a non-selective mechanosensitive cation channel that exhibits sensitivity to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and shear stress. It converts mechanical signals into bioelectric activity within cells, thus triggering specific biological responses. In the digestive system, Piezo protein plays a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological activities, including digestion, absorption, metabolic regulation, and immune modulation. However, dysregulation in Piezo protein expression may lead to the occurrence of several pathological conditions, including visceral hypersensitivity, impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier function, and immune inflammation.Therefore, conducting a comprehensive review of the physiological functions and pathological roles of Piezo protein in the digestive system is of paramount importance. In this review, we systematically summarize the structural and dynamic characteristics of Piezo protein, its expression patterns, and physiological functions in the digestive system. We particularly focus on elucidating the mechanisms of action of Piezo protein in digestive system tumor diseases, inflammatory diseases, fibrotic diseases, and functional disorders. Through the integration of the latest research findings, we have observed that Piezo protein plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various digestive system diseases. There exist intricate interactions between Piezo protein and multiple phenotypes of digestive system tumors such as proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. In inflammatory diseases, Piezo protein promotes intestinal immune responses and pancreatic trypsinogen activation, contributing to the development of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and pancreatitis. Additionally, Piezo1, through pathways involving co-action with the TRPV4 ion channel, facilitates neutrophil recruitment and suppresses HIF-1α ubiquitination, thereby mediating organ fibrosis in organs like the liver and pancreas. Moreover, Piezo protein regulation by gut microbiota or factors like age and gender can result in increased or decreased visceral sensitivity, and alterations in intestinal mucosal barrier structure and permeability, which are closely associated with functional disorders like irritable bowel sydrome (IBS) and functional consitipaction (FC). A thorough exploration of Piezo protein as a potential therapeutic target in digestive system diseases can provide a scientific basis and theoretical support for future clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.

The assessment of adverse drug events is an important basis for clinical safety evaluation and post-marketing risk control of drugs,and its causality assessment is gaining increasing attention.The existing methods for assessing the causal relationship between drugs and the occurrence of adverse reactions can be broadly classified into three categories:global introspective methods,standardized methods,and probabilistic methods.At present,there is no systematic introduction of the operational details of the various methods in the domestic literature.This paper compares representative causality assessment methods in terms of definition and concept,methodological steps,industry evaluation and advantages and disadvantages,clarifies the basic process of determining the causality of adverse drug reactions,and discusses how to further improve the adverse drug reaction monitoring and evaluation system,with a view to providing a reference for drug development and pharmacovigilance work in China.

Guillain-Barre syndrome rarely develops after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), and only a few reports exist in China. Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acute and life-threatening condition that requires early diagnosis and treatment. A patient with acute myeloid leukemia underwent allogeneic HSCT for >5 months and gradually developed limb muscle weakness and limited eye movement after coexisting with delayed acute intestinal graft-versus-host disease. After the examination of cerebrospinal fluid and electromyography, the diagnosis of Guillain–Barre syndrome was confirmed. After a high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment, muscle strength gradually recovered, and the prognosis was good.

Objective To develop a portable collection device of human exhaled breath condensate(EBC)based on natural breathing to meet the needs for rapid screening of human respiratory tract(especially lower respiratory tract)infections.Methods The device consisted of a refrigeration unit,a heat dissipation unit and a condensation unit.The refrigeration unit adopted a TES1-7102 thermoelectric Peltier cooler semiconductor as the refrigeration element;the heat dissipation unit was composed of a high thermal conductivity aluminum heat sink and a high-speed brushless cooling fan;the condensation unit was made up of a cold guide plate and a condenser,in which the cold guide plate was made of thin sheet of aluminum alloy,and the condenser was prepared by 3D printing technology and made of hydrophobic polylactic acid,with primary and secondary 2-stage guide grooves and an ultra-thin condensing surface.The performance of the device was verified in terms of cooling,thermal conductivity,condensation and human EBC collection and content analysis.Results Performance analysis showed that after refrigeration began the temperature difference between the condenser surface and the exhaled gas met the requirements of the condenser,and no obvious thermal resistance was found on the condensing surface so that large droplets could be formed rapidly and then be collected after the gas-liquid phase change of the exhaled gas on the condensing surface.Human EBC collection and content analysis indicated the device realized home self-collection of EBCs from people of all ages,and the concentrations of interleukins,C-reactive protein and other inflammation-related indexes and the pH value of the collected EBC samples were all correlated with respiratory infections in the subjects.Conclusion The device developed with easy operation avoids the discomfort of blowing collection and the risk of saliva contamination,and is worthy promoting for rapid diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of respiratory tract infection and other related diseases.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(8):32-37]

The incidence of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture (OTLVF) in the elderly is gradually increasing. The kyphotic deformity caused by various factors has become an important characteristic of OTLVF and has received increasing attention. Its clinical manifestations include pain, delayed nerve damage, sagittal imbalance, etc. Currently, the definition and diagnosis of OTLVF with kyphotic deformity in the elderly are still unclear. Although there are many treatment options, they are controversial. Existing guidelines or consensuses pay little attention to this type of fracture with kyphotic deformity. To this end, the Lumbar Education Working Group of the Spine Branch of the Chinese Medicine Education Association and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized the experts in the relevant fields to jointly develop Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity in the elderly ( version 2024), based on evidence-based medical advancements and the principles of scientificity, practicality, and advanced nature, which provided 18 recommendations to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

italic>Tussilago farfara L. is a perennial herb of Tussilago genus in the Compositae family. Its dried buds and leaves have good biological activities and have a long history of medicinal use in China and Europe. In this paper, we investigated the whole chloroplast genome characteristics, sequence duplication, structural variation and phylogeny of the Tussilago farfara L. After sequencing the Tussilago farfara L. chloroplast genome using Illumination technology, the complete Tussilago farfara L. chloroplast genome was further obtained by assembly and annotation, followed by a series of inverted repeat-large single copy/small single copy region contraction and expansion analysis, genome sequence variation, etc. The sequences of 13 homologous plants downloaded from NCBI were used to construct a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree. The results showed that the total GC content of the chloroplast genome was 37.4% and the length was 150 300 bp; 125 genes were annotated, including 82 protein-coding genes, 35 tRNAs and 8 rRNAs; 148 (simple sequence repeats, SSR) loci were detected, and the relative synonymous codon usage showed that 31 codons out of 64 codons had a usage of >1. In the phylogenetic analysis, the chloroplast genomes of the seven species of Asteraceae, including the Yulin Tussilago farfara L., were highly conserved, and the sequence variation of the (large single-copy, LSC) and (small single-copy, SSC) regions was higher than that of the (inverted repeat, IR) region. This is in general agreement with the reported phylogeny of Yulin Tussilago farfara L. In this study, we obtained a high quality chloroplast genome and analyzed its genome characteristics, codon preference, SSR characteristics, SC/IR boundary, sequence variation and phylogeny, which can provide a basis for species identification, genetic diversity analysis and resource development of this medicinal plant.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the phenotypes and gene frequencies of Kell blood group system K antigen and Rh blood group system D antigen in Xinjiang, and summarize and understand the distribution of Kell(K) blood type and Rh(D) blood type in this area. METHODS: A total of 12 840 patients who met the inclusion criteria during physical examination and treatment in our hospital and 18 medical institutions in our district from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 were collected for identification of Kell blood group system K antigen and Rh blood group System D antigen, and the distribution of K and D blood groups in different regions, genders and nationalities were investigated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of K positive in the samples was 1.39%, the highest was 1.91% in southern Xinjiang, and the lowest was 1.03% in northern Xinjiang(P<0.01). The proportion of Rh(D) negative samples was 2.75% and the gene frequency was 16.64%. The proportion of Rh(D) negative samples was 4.03% and the gene frequency was 20.10% in southern Xinjiang, followed by eastern Xinjiang and the lowest in northern Xinjiang (P<0.01). The frequency of K antigen in Uygur nationality was the highest, reaching 2.16%, Kirgiz 1.54%, and the distribution trend of D/d antigen was similar to that of K antigen. Among women, the K positive frequency of Kazak nationality was slightly higher than that of Mongolian nationality. The highest proportion of K positive in Uygur women was 2.38%, which was higher than that in Uygur men (1.86%). The frequency of d phenotype in Kazak women was 3.15%, which was higher than that in Kirgiz （2.89%） (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The distributions of Kell(K) and Rh(D) blood groups in northern and southern Xinjiang and eastern Xinjiang had its own unique characteristics and differences. There are significant differences in blood group distribution among different ethnic groups and gender groups. In the future, k antigen detection can be included to further improve the investigation on the distribution of Kell blood group system in this region.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Asian People ; China ; Ethnicity ; Gene Frequency ; Kell Blood-Group System/genetics* ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/genetics*