ObjectiveTo explore the current situation of forensic ethics practice and education by designing a questionnaire on forensic ethics， with a view to exploring the path of forensic ethics education construction. MethodsA total of 667 valid questionnaires were collected using the online survey method， basically covering various regions across the country and all sub-specialties of forensic medicine. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the relevant data. ResultsMost practitioners had relevant ethical reflections in the process of forensic practice. 69.12% of the respondents indicated that they had studied the relevant rules， but approximately half stated that there were no corresponding ethical norms or standard operating manuals. The specific behaviors violating ethics in different units were diverse. 23.04% of the respondents reported that they had encountered unethical behaviors， but only 4.9% of them reported such violations. In terms of forensic ethics education， 87.75% of the respondents believed that there were issues with the current model of forensic ethics education. Meanwhile， the respondents showed a high degree of recognition for receiving forensic ethics education， with 84.15% of respondents expressing willingness to participate in relevant courses. More than half of respondents were willing to participate in forensic ethics education during undergraduate studies， new employee training， and regular post-employment training. ConclusionCurrently， there is a problem of ethical neglect in forensic work in China. Combining ethics courses with professional courses at the practitioner training stage and providing regular training at the practice stage are effective measures to popularize forensic ethics knowledge， enhance ethical awareness， and improve the quality of practice.

BACKGROUND: Bile acids (BAs) facilitate the progression of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation was observed along with the initiation of gastric cancer. However, how lncRNAs function in GIM remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of lncRNA PVT1 in GIM, and provide a potential therapeutic target for GIM treatment. METHODS: We employed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen dysregulated lncRNAs in gastric epithelial cells after BA treatment. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to reveal the regulatory mechanism. PVT1 expression was detected in 21 paired biopsies obtained under endoscopy. Overexpressed and knockdown cell models were established to explore gene functions in GIM. Molecular interactions were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (Ch-IP). The levels of relative molecular expression were detected in GIM tissues. RESULTS: We confirmed that lncRNA PVT1 was upregulated in BA-induced GIM model. PVT1 promoted the expression of intestinal markers such as CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α . Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-34b-5p was a putative target of PVT1 . miR-34b-5p mimics increased CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α levels. Restoration of miR-34b-5p decreased the pro-metaplastic effect of PVT1 . The interactions between PVT1 , miR-34b-5p, and the downstream target HNF4α were validated. Moreover, HNF4α could transcriptionally activated PVT1 , sustaining the GIM phenotype. Finally, the activation of the PVT1 /miR-34b-5p/ HNF4α loop was detected in GIM tissues. CONCLUSIONS BAs facilitate GIM partially via a PVT1/miR-34b-5p/HNF4α positive feedback loop. PVT1 may become a novel target for blocking the continuous development of GIM and preventing the initiation of gastric cancer in patients with bile reflux.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4/genetics* ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Kruppel-Like Factor 4 ; Metaplasia/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: As early as the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts experienced ocular, skin, and upper airway irritation after lunar dust (LD) was brought into the return cabin, drawing attention to its potential biological toxicity. However, the biological effects of LD exposure through the digestive system remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of digestive exposure to lunar dust simulant (LDS) on gut microbiota and on the intestine, liver, kidney, lung, and bone in mice. METHODS: Eight-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were used. LDS was used as a substitute for lunar dust, and Shaanxi loess was used as Earth dust (ED). Mice were randomly divided into a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group, an ED group (500 mg/kg), and a LDS group (500 mg/kg), with assessments at days 7, 14, and 28. Mice were gavaged once every 3 days, with body weight recorded before each gavage. At sacrifice, fecal samples were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing; inflammatory cytokine expression [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)] in intestinal, liver, and lung tissues was measured by real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR); hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed on lung, liver, and intestinal tissues; Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was used to assess the integrity of the intestinal mucus barrier, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the expression of mucin-2 (MUC2). Serum biochemical tests assessed hepatic and renal function. Femoral bone mass was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT); osteoblasts and osteoclasts were assessed by osteocalcin (OCN) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Bone marrow immune cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: At day 10, weight gain was slowed in ED and LDS groups. At days 22 and 28, body weight in both ED and LDS groups was significantly lower than controls (both P<0.05). LDS exposure increased microbial species richness and diversity at day 7. Compared with the PBS and ED groups, mice in the LDS group showed increased relative abundance of Deferribacterota, Desulfobacterota, and Campylobacterota, and decreased Firmicutes, with increased Helicobacter typhlonius and reduced Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillusmurinus. HE and PAS staining of the colon showed that mucosal structural disruption and goblet cell loss were more severe in the LDS group. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed a significant downregulation of MUC2 expression in this group (P<0.05). No obvious pathological alterations were observed in liver HE staining among the 3 groups, and none of the groups exhibited notable hepatic or renal dysfunction. HE staining of the lungs in the ED and LDS groups showed increased perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS LDS exposure via the digestive route induces gut dysbiosis, intestinal barrier disruption, pulmonary inflammation, bone loss, and bone marrow immune imbalance. These findings indicate that LD exposure poses potential health risks during future lunar missions. Targeted restoration of beneficial gut microbiota may represent a promising strategy to mitigate LD-related health hazards.
Animals ; Dust ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Dysbiosis/etiology* ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Moon ; Liver/metabolism* ; Digestive System/microbiology* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Kidney

OBJECTIVES: Due to prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation and meteorite impacts, lunar surface dust forms nanoscale angular particles with strong electrostatic adsorption properties. These dust particles pose potential inhalation risks, yet their pulmonary toxicological mechanisms remain unclear. Given the need for dust exposure protection in future lunar base construction and resource development, this study established an acute exposure model using lunar soil simulant (LSS) and used Earth soil (ES; Loess from Shaanxi, China) as a comparison to investigate lung injury mechanisms. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), LSS, and ES, with 5 to 7 mice per group. Mice in the LSS and ES groups received a single intratracheal instillation to induce acute inhalation exposure. Body weight was monitored for 28 days. Mice were euthanized at days 3, 7, 14, and 28 post-exposure, and peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissues were collected. Immune cell subsets in BALF were analyzed using flow cytometry. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining assessed lung structure and inflammation; periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining evaluated airway mucus secretion; Masson staining examined collagen deposition. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and epithelial barrier genes (Occludin, Cadherin-1, and Zo-1). Lung tissues at day 7 were subjected to transcriptomic sequencing, followed by immune infiltration and pathway enrichment analyses to determine immunoregulatory mechanisms. RESULTS: Body weight in the ES group progressively declined after day 18 (all P<0.05), while the LSS group showed no significant changes compared with the control group. HE staining showed both LSS and ES induced inflammatory cell infiltration around airways and vasculature, which persisted for 28 days but gradually lessened over time. PAS staining revealed marked mucus hypersecretion in the LSS group at day 3, followed by gradual recovery; no significant mucus changes were observed in the ES group. Masson staining indicated no obvious pulmonary fibrosis in either group within 28 days. Real-time RT-PCR demonstrated significant upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α in both LSS and ES groups, peaking on day 7, accompanied by downregulation of epithelial barrier genes (Occludin, Cadherin-1, and Zo-1)(all P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed that both LSS and ES activated chemokine-related pathways and enriched leukocyte migration and neutrophil recruitment pathways. Further validation revealed upregulation of CXCL2 and MMP12 in the LSS group, whereas CXCL3 and MMP12 were predominantly elevated in the ES group. CONCLUSIONS Both LSS and ES can induce sustained lung injury and neutrophil infiltration in mice, though the underlying molecular mechanisms differ. Compared with ES, exposure to LSS additionally triggers a transient eosinophilic response, suggesting that lunar dust particles possess stronger immunostimulatory potential and higher biological toxicity.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Soil ; Lung Injury/etiology* ; Dust ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Moon ; Lung/pathology* ; Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects* ; Male

Tongue diagnosis is an important method of TCM diagnosis and treatment.Tongue is the key link of auxiliary diagnosis of tongue feature extraction and processing,and also is the bottleneck of intelligent tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine.Using image processing,artificial intelligence technology to the tongue as a quantitative and identify characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine,looking for both conforms to the original thinking of TCM,and TCM tongue diagnosis method of accurately,has become a common concern of traditional Chinese medicine and computer field.From the mobile terminal tongue as auxiliary diagnostic system of traditional Chinese medicine tongue acquisition basic attribute,tongue diagnosis and image information building,tongue like features are required for accurate extraction and so on related key technology is analyzed,and build overall architecture,so as to provide technical reference for the tongue like intelligent diagnosis,promote the development of technology of tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine modernization.

Objective:To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic etiology for seven children with CHARGE syndrome (CS).Methods:Clinical data of 7 children with CS diagnosed between March 2020 and December 2022 at the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University were analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the children and their parents, and subjected to whole exome sequencing. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and pathogenicity analysis. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Children′s Hospital Affiliatedto Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2024-K-023).Results:The ages of the children had ranged from 1 day after birth to 12 years old, and all of them had shown growth retardation. The reasons for their admission had included postnatal breathing, swallowing and feeding difficulties in five cases. One child was found to have abnormal external genitalia in conjunct with hearing impairment, whilst another child had shown no secondary sexual characteristics during puberty. All of the children were found to harbor CHD7 gene variants, which included 3 nonsense variants, 2 frameshifting variants and 2 missense variants, i. e., c. 6292C>T (p.R2098*), c.2754G>A (p.W918*), c. 469C>T (p.R157*), c. 3308T>A (p.V1103D), c. 7111delC (p.Q2371Kfs), c. 6023delA (p.D2008Vfs) and c. 3565C>T (p.R1189C). All of the variants were de novo in origin. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 3308T>A (p.V1103D) and c. 3565C>T (p.R1189C) variants were rated as likely pathogenic (PS2+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3), whilst the remainders were rated as pathogenic (PVS1+ PS2+ PM2_Supporting). Conclusion:There is strong clinical and genetic heterogeneity in CS. Early genetic testing may facilitate accurate diagnosis. The detection of novel variants has expanded the phenotypic spectrum of CS and the mutational spectrum of the CHD7 gene.

With the awareness of the hazards of ionizing radiation to human health and the consequent research on the biological effects and protective measures against ionizing radiation, the radiological health has gradually developed. Therefore, as one of the five major areas of health under the traditional public health system, the study on radiological health mainly involves the harmful effects of ionizing radiation on human health and its comprehensive protection measures. After nearly a century of vigorous development ince the 1930 s and 1940 s, the level of the discipline of the radiological health and the effectiveness of radiological hygiene work in China have been greatly improved at this stage. This paper provides a brief overview of the history, current status, and work content of the radiological health research and radiological hygiene work in China, with a view to contributing to the future development of radiological hygiene work in China.

Objective:To analyze the morphology and molecular biology and clarify the taxonomic status of one Cupriavidus species strain SZY C1 isolated from clinical wound specimens. Methods:Strain SZY C1 was subjected to physiological and biochemical identification, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole genome sequencing. Its genomic features and virulence genes were analyzed using bioinformatics software.Results:Strain SZY C1 was a gram-negative, non-fermenting bacterium wihout flagella and the ability to form spores. After culturing on Columbia blood agar plates for 24 h, it formed grayish-white colonies that were round, raised, opaque, and had neatly defined margins. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain SZY C1 belonged to the genus Cupriavidus with the highest 98.52% similarity to Cupriavidus metallicuns. The genome size of strain SZY C1 was determined to be 5 515 517 bp, with a G+ C content of 67.87%. Whole genome sequencing showed that strain SZY C1 had the closest phylogenetic relationship with Cupriavidus agavae, with an average nucleotide identity value of 84.76% and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 29.1%, which were lower than the identification threshold for prokaryotic species. The strain SZY C1 carried multiple virulence genes, drug resistance genes, and heavy metal resistance genes. Conclusions:Based on phenotypic and genomic analyses, the strain SZY C1 is a potential new species of the Cupriavidus genus.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out Sanger sequencing for MMACHC gene variants among 65 Chinese pedigrees affected with combined methylmalonic aciduria and homocysteinemia, and summarize their genetic and clinical characteristics and prognosis. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of the 65 children identified with Methylmalonic acidemia and homocysteinemia at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Zhengzhou Children's Hospital) from April 2017 to April 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Potential variants of the MMACHC gene were detected by direct sequencing of the PCR products. RESULTS: The median age of the 65 children was 3 months (14 days to 17 years old). These included 28 cases (43.08%) from neonatal screening, 11 cases (16.92%) with a history of jaundice, and 9 cases (13.85%) with various degrees of anemia. The main clinical symptoms included development delay, slow growth, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, lethargy, feeding difficulty, regression or decline in motor ability, recurrent respiratory infections, anemia, jaundice, respiratory and heart failures, hydrocephalus, limb weakness, and hypertension. Blood and urine tandem mass spectrometry screening has revealed increase of methylmalonic acid, propionyl carnitine, propionyl carnitine/acetylcarnitine ratio, and propionyl carnitine/free carnitine ratio to various extents, and blood homocysteine was increased in all patients. The detection rate of genetic variants was 98.46% (128/130), and in total 22 types of MMACHC gene variants were detected. The most common ones have included c.609G>A (W203X) (58/128), c.658-660del (K220del) (19/128), and c.80A>G (Q27A) (16/128). Two novel variants have been identified, namely c.565C>T (p.R189C) and c.624_ 625delTG (p.A208Afs), which were respectively predicted as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP2+PP3) and pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP2) based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Exon 4 had the highest frequency for the detection. CONCLUSION Identification of MMACHC gene variants has confirmed the diagnosis in the children, among which the c.609G>A variant has the highest frequency. Discovery of the new variants has enriched the mutational spectrum of the MMACHC gene.
Humans ; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics* ; Hydrocephalus ; Oxidoreductases

The pollution caused by improper handling of plastics has become a global challenge. In addition to recycling plastics and using biodegradable plastics, an alternative solution is to seek efficient methods for degrading plastics. Among them, the methods of using biodegradable enzymes or microorganisms to treat plastics have attracted increasing attention because of its advantages of mild conditions and no secondary environmental pollution. Developing highly efficient depolymerizing microorganisms/enzymes is the core for plastics biodegradation. However, the current analysis and detection methods cannot meet the requirements for screening efficient plastics biodegraders. It is thus of great significance to develop rapid and accurate analysis methods for screening biodegraders and evaluating biodegradation efficiency. This review summarizes the recent application of various commonly used analytical techniques in plastics biodegradation, including high performance liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and determination of zone of clearance, with fluorescence analysis techniques highlighted. This review may facilitate standardizing the characterization and analysis of plastics biodegradation process and developing more efficient methods for screening plastics biodegraders.
Biodegradable Plastics/chemistry* ; Biodegradation, Environmental