1.Genetic analysis of a de novo EFTUD2 variant causing Mandibulofacial dysostosis with microcephaly in a fetus.
Jianyu REN ; Xiaojiao GUAN ; Shuang LIU ; Yousheng YAN ; Shufa YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(4):288-294
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the genetic etiology of a fetus diagnosed with Mandibulofacial dysostosis with microcephaly (MFDM).
METHODS:
A fetus that underwent prenatal diagnosis at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, on May 19, 2025 was selected for analysis. Results of fetal ultrasound findings, chromosomal karyotyping, copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq), and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were collected. Sanger sequencing was performed for familial validation of the pathogenic variant. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA), STRING, and Simple ClinVar databases were queried to characterize the biological features of the candidate gene. Three-dimensional structures of the wild-type and variant proteins were modeled and analyzed, and the evolutionary conservation of the affected amino acid was assessed using UGENE. Prenatal phenotypes associated with EFTUD2 variants were summarized through a review of the literature. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University (Ethics No.: 2025-KY-029-01).
RESULTS:
At 23+2 weeks of gestation, ultrasound examination revealed bilateral microtia with low-set ears, mild micrognathia with a reduced mandibular-facial angle, a single umbilical artery, a slightly narrow aortic diameter, and trivial mitral regurgitation. Amniotic fluid karyotyping and CNV-seq showed no abnormalities. WES identified a de novo, previously unreported EFTUD2 variant, c.698dupA (p.V235Gfs*27), in the fetus. This frameshift variant is predicted to alter the structural integrity of the EFTUD2 protein. Literature review indicated that micrognathia and microtia or low-set ears are the most common sonographic features in fetuses with EFTUD2 variants, while secondary findings may include abnormal stomach bubble, cleft palate, single umbilical artery, gastrointestinal atresia, polyhydramnios, and reduced aortic diameter.
CONCLUSION
The EFTUD2: c.698dupA (p.V235Gfs*27) variant is likely the genetic cause underlying MFDM in this fetus.
Humans
;
Mandibulofacial Dysostosis/diagnostic imaging*
;
Microcephaly/diagnostic imaging*
;
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear/chemistry*
;
Peptide Elongation Factors/chemistry*
;
Fetus
;
DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Ultrasonography, Prenatal
2.Comprehensive analysis of an m6A regulator-based prognostic model and its associations with immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and intercellular communication in cervical cancer
JIANG Bengui ; ZHOU Teng ; LU Qunfang ; TONG Lin ; ZHOU Xin ; LI Yan ; ZHI Shuang
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(6):678-689
[摘 要] 目的:探讨m6A调控因子在宫颈癌预后评估、免疫微环境特征及治疗反应中的作用,构建基于m6A调控因子的预后风险模型,并分析其与免疫浸润、药物敏感性及细胞间通信的关系。方法:基于TCGA和GEO数据库中宫颈鳞癌及腺癌(CESC)转录组数据,分析22个m6A调控因子的表达与突变情况;采用LASSO‑Cox回归构建m6A相关预后风险模型,并依据风险评分将患者分为高、低风险组。利用CIBERSORT和ESTIMATE算法评估两组免疫细胞浸润及微环境特征;通过oncoPredict预测抗肿瘤药物敏感性。整合单细胞转录组数据(E-MTAB-12305),采用CellChat分析细胞间通信网络。结果:共鉴定出12个在宫颈癌中差异表达的m6A调控因子。高风险组患者总生存期缩短(P < 0.05),免疫评分降低,且对紫杉醇、氟尿嘧啶、多柔比星等抗肿瘤药物敏感性较差(IC50较高)。单细胞分析显示宫颈癌组织中细胞间通信网络发生改变,其中T细胞与内皮/上皮细胞间的相互作用可能主要由CCL5‑ACKR1和MIF‑(CD74 + CXCR4)配体‑受体介导。在临床样本中,对关键的m6A调控因子进行mRNA和蛋白水平的验证,结果显示部分调控因子在宫颈癌组织中的表达水平高于正常宫颈组织(P < 0.05)。结论:m6A调控因子特征可有效预测宫颈癌患者预后,其风险评分与肿瘤免疫浸润、药物敏感性及细胞通信密切相关,为宫颈癌的预后分层及个体化治疗提供了新的分子依据。
3.Effects of Autonomic Neuromodulators on Atrial Electrical Remodeling and Histopathological Changes in a Rat Model of Atrial Fibrillation
Jiafei LI ; Zhenhao ZHANG ; Shuo WANG ; Ge TIAN ; Shuang WEN ; Yuxue YAN ; Ran CUI ; Zhen YE ; Yongchun CUI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(3):321-331
ObjectiveTo elucidate the effects of autonomic neuromodulators [calcium chloride (CaCl₂)-acetylcholine (ACh)] on atrial electrical remodeling and histopathological changes in rats, thereby providing evidence for further investigation into the pathological mechanisms by which autonomic imbalance induces atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsTen 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, with 5 rats in each group. The experimental group received daily tail vein injections of a CaCl₂-ACh mixed solution for 28 days, while the control group received an equal volume of saline. Surface electrocardiograms were recorded before and after daily administration. On day 28 of administration, under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia, echocardiography was performed, and then the rats were euthanized by exsanguination under isoflurane anesthesia for tissue collection. Body weight and heart weight of rats were measured, and electrophysiological parameters including AF inducibility, conduction velocity, and conduction dispersion in isolated rat hearts were monitored using the MappingLab multichannel electrophysiological mapping system. HE staining was performed to evaluate atrial tissue architecture and inflammatory cell infiltration. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were analyzed by Western blotting. Masson staining was used to quantitatively analyze the proportional distribution of collagen fibers and myocardial fibers, and to calculate the area of collagen deposition, thereby evaluating the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate morphological changes of cardiomyocytes. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to detect the level of oxidative stress in atrial myocytes. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect atrial cell apoptosis. ResultsCompared with the control group, the experimental group showed obvious arrhythmias on electrocardiograms. Echocardiography after 28 days of administration revealed significant structural remodeling in the experimental group, with a marked increase in left atrial anteroposterior diameter (P < 0.05), and also showed cardiac dysfunction, with significant decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed a significantly increased heart weight-to-body weight ratio (P < 0.05), a markedly higher AF inducibility (P < 0.001), a significantly slowed atrial conduction velocity (P < 0.05), an uneven isochronal map with irregular directions, and a significantly increased conduction dispersion (P < 0.01). HE staining showed that atrial myocytes in the experimental group were disorganized, with slight inflammatory cell infiltration. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of MMP-9 and IL-1β in the atrial tissue of the experimental group were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Masson staining showed a significant increase in collagen deposition and a significant increase in fibrosis area in the atrial tissue of the experimental group (P < 0.001). WGA staining showed that cardiomyocytes in the experimental group were significantly hypertrophied compared with the control group (P < 0.05). DHE staining and TUNEL staining revealed that the level of oxidative stress in atrial myocytes (P < 0.001) and the apoptotic rate (P < 0.01) were both significantly increased. Conclusion Daily tail vein injections of the autonomic neuromodulator CaCl₂-ACh mixed solution for 28 days can successfully induce AF in rats, accompanied by significant atrial structural remodeling, electrical remodeling, and oxidative stress.
4.Identification of radiation-sensitive genes using machine learning algorithms
Yizhe GAO ; Tianjing CAI ; Shuang LI ; Xuelei TIAN ; Cong XI ; Juan YAN ; Qingjie LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):240-245
Objective To establish an analytical strategy covering multi-dataset processing, recursive feature elimination (RFE) screening and multi-model evaluation based on multiple machine learning algorithms, so as to screen radiation-sensitive genes and verify the feasibility of the evaluation strategy. Methods Qualified radiation transcriptome datasets were retrieved from public gene expression databases. Following standardized data preprocessing and feature preselection, 13 machine learning algorithms were adopted to construct models. The performance of each model was compared and validated in independent datasets. Results A total of 38 eligible datasets were included. Sixteen differentially expressed genes unreported in existing literature were screened out, among which ugcrhl, pdcl3, mct4, h2-g2 and fam120aos were correlated with radiation phenotypes. Ensemble learning algorithms including random forest and gradient boosting exhibited the optimal comprehensive performance. Independent dataset verification confirmed that the screened genes overlapped with known radiation-sensitive genes, and the model performance was consistent with the findings. Conclusion The machine learning strategy constructed in this study can effectively explore potential radiation-sensitive genes, and provides methodological support for subsequent relevant studies.
5.Identification of radiation-sensitive genes using machine learning algorithms
Yizhe GAO ; Tianjing CAI ; Shuang LI ; Xuelei TIAN ; Cong XI ; Juan YAN ; Qingjie LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):240-245
Objective To establish an analytical strategy covering multi-dataset processing, recursive feature elimination (RFE) screening and multi-model evaluation based on multiple machine learning algorithms, so as to screen radiation-sensitive genes and verify the feasibility of the evaluation strategy. Methods Qualified radiation transcriptome datasets were retrieved from public gene expression databases. Following standardized data preprocessing and feature preselection, 13 machine learning algorithms were adopted to construct models. The performance of each model was compared and validated in independent datasets. Results A total of 38 eligible datasets were included. Sixteen differentially expressed genes unreported in existing literature were screened out, among which ugcrhl, pdcl3, mct4, h2-g2 and fam120aos were correlated with radiation phenotypes. Ensemble learning algorithms including random forest and gradient boosting exhibited the optimal comprehensive performance. Independent dataset verification confirmed that the screened genes overlapped with known radiation-sensitive genes, and the model performance was consistent with the findings. Conclusion The machine learning strategy constructed in this study can effectively explore potential radiation-sensitive genes, and provides methodological support for subsequent relevant studies.
6.Identification of radiation-sensitive genes using machine learning algorithms
Yizhe GAO ; Tianjing CAI ; Shuang LI ; Xuelei TIAN ; Cong XI ; Juan YAN ; Qingjie LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):240-245
Objective To establish an analytical strategy covering multi-dataset processing, recursive feature elimination (RFE) screening and multi-model evaluation based on multiple machine learning algorithms, so as to screen radiation-sensitive genes and verify the feasibility of the evaluation strategy. Methods Qualified radiation transcriptome datasets were retrieved from public gene expression databases. Following standardized data preprocessing and feature preselection, 13 machine learning algorithms were adopted to construct models. The performance of each model was compared and validated in independent datasets. Results A total of 38 eligible datasets were included. Sixteen differentially expressed genes unreported in existing literature were screened out, among which ugcrhl, pdcl3, mct4, h2-g2 and fam120aos were correlated with radiation phenotypes. Ensemble learning algorithms including random forest and gradient boosting exhibited the optimal comprehensive performance. Independent dataset verification confirmed that the screened genes overlapped with known radiation-sensitive genes, and the model performance was consistent with the findings. Conclusion The machine learning strategy constructed in this study can effectively explore potential radiation-sensitive genes, and provides methodological support for subsequent relevant studies.
7.Qualitative study on factors influencing the health of courier/food delivery workers based on the social-ecological model
Ruina LI ; Jingjing DU ; Jin WANG ; Xiaoman LIU ; Yan YE ; Yan YIN ; Zhi WANG ; Fengqiong CHEN ; Huanqiang WANG ; Shuang LI
China Occupational Medicine 2026;53(2):144-149
Objective To explore the health issues and influencing factors of workers in new forms of employment, represented by couriers and food delivery workers, based on the social-ecological model (SEM). Methods A total of 44 couriers and food delivery workers from Beijing City, Shanghai City, Guangzhou City, and Chongqing City were recruited as the study subjects using purposive sampling combined with snowball sampling method. An interview guide was developed based on the SEM to conduct semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to code and analyze the interview data. Results The health influencing factors among the couriers and food delivery workers based on the SEM included three first-level themes at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels, namely "individual factors," "occupational environmental factors," and "social environmental factors," each comprising three second-level themes. At the micro-level, individual factors such as insufficient health literacy, unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors, and sustained psychological burden jointly contributed to the health vulnerability among these couriers and food delivery workers. At the meso-level, occupational environmental factors including algorithmic management, high-load work environments, and inadequate interpersonal support, jointly construct a high-pressure and high-intensity work pattern. At the macro-level, social environmental factors such as insufficient social security caused by the de facto nature of labor relations, economic pressure resulting from unstable income in the market environment, and psychological depletion caused by occupational discrimination further exacerbate the health vulnerability among these workers. Conclusion The health issues of the couriers and food delivery workers result from the interplay of factors across micro-, meso-, and macro- levels. Therefore, a multi-level collaborative health protection system involving individuals, organizations, and society should be established to improve their health status.
8.Effects of C-Reactive Protein and Fibrinogen on Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Anti Xa Activity in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients
Jing-shu FANG ; Fang-yan GAN ; Shuang DENG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(15):2524-2529
Objective:To investigate the effects of C-reactive protein(CRP)and fibrinogen(FIB)on activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)and anti Xa activity in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)patients.Methods:The clinical data of 33 patients undergoing ECMO support treatment at Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital from January 2024 to July 2024 were retrospective analysis.Patients undergoing ECMO support treatment were divided into low-CRP group and high-CRP group.FIB,APTT and anti-Xa activity between low-CRP group and high-CRP group were compared.The correlation between APTT and anti-Xa activity in low-CRP group and high-CRP group were analyzed by Pearson method.Results:The APTT levels in the high CRP group was higher than that in the low CRP group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in anti Xa activity between the low CRP group and the high CRP group(P>0.05).The FIB levels in the high CRP group was higher than that in the low CRP group(P<0.05).The correlation between APTT and anti-Xa activity in the low-CRP group was positively correlated(r=0.698,P<0.05),while the correlation between APTT and anti-Xa activity in the high-CRP group was positively correlated(r=0.650,P<0.05),there was no strong in the correlation between APTT and anti-Xa activity between the low-CRP group and high-CRP group.Conclusion:Abnormal elevation of CRP levels can affect the detection of APTT in patients undergoing ECMO supportive therapy,but does not affect the detection of anti-Xa activity.The correlation between APTT and anti-Xa activity is not strong,so multiple monitoring indicators should be combined to comprehensively evaluate the anticoagulant efficacy of heparin.
9.circ_0071653 targeted miR-197-3p regulates proliferation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Xuan ZHENG ; Yan-lei GE ; Jun-qing GAN ; Ye JIN ; Yi-shuang CUI ; Ya-nan WU ; Zi-qing LIU ; Guo-gui SUN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):888-898
Aim To investigate the effects of circ_0071653 targeting miR-197-3p on the proliferation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ES-CC)cells.Methods The circular structure of circ_0071653 was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and ribo-nuclease R tolerance experiments.Real-time quantita-tive polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and tissue fluorescence in situ hybridization assay were performed to detect the circ_0071653 expression levels and ana-lyze its clinical relevance.Cell fluorescence in situ hy-bridization and nuclear cytoplasmic separation assays were used to verify the subcellular localization of circ_0071653 and miR-197-3p.Bioinformatics analysis,dual luciferase reporter gene and RT-qPCR assays were conducted to validate the interactions between circ_0071653 and miR-197-3p.Moreover,the cell counting Kit-8(CCK-8),colony formation,scratch,Transwell invasion and subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice assays were used to evaluate the effects of circ_0071653 and miR-197-3p on cell viability,prolifera-tion,migration,and invasion and in vivo tumorigenesi-sability.Results Circ_0071653 was a circular RNA,which showed high expression in ESCC cell lines and tissues.The expression of circ_0071653 was signifi-cantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and clini-cal stage of ESCC patients.Circ_0071653 and miR-197-3p were mainly localized in the cytoplasm.The databases predict that circ_0071653 had complementa-ry binding sites with miR-197-3p,and their binding were confirmed by dual luciferase reporter geneand RT-qPCR assays.Moreover,the activity,proliferation,migration,invasion and in vivo tumorigenesis abilities of ESCC cells were significantly reduced after knocking down circ_0071653,and this effect could be reversed by downregulating the expression of miR-197-3p.Con-clusions Circ_0071653 promotes the malignant pro-gression of ESCC through targeted regulation of miR-197-3p.
10.Protective effects of Sophora subprostrate polysaccharide against oxidative dam-age in IPEC-J2 cells
Shuang XU ; Kunzhao YANG ; Xin GUO ; Yiqin CHEN ; Siyin YAN ; Zhengke HE ; Lijuan SU ; Qi MA ; Shiqi DONG ; Liting CAO ; Hongxu DU
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(2):330-340
The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect and possible related mechanisms of Sophora subprostrate polysaccharide(SSP)on intestinal epithelial cell injury in-duced by Tert-Butyl hydroperoxide(TBHP).The optimal dose of TBHP and the safe concentra-tion range of SSP were determined using the MTT method.In this study,IPEC-J2 cells were divid-ed into five groups:the control group,the model group,the SSPL group,the SSPM group and the SSPH group,and the cell morphology,cell survival rate and LDH release rate were observed and measured.The content of intracellular reactive ROS was observed and determined by DCFH-DA staining.The content of MDA in the supernatant and the antioxidant index of cells were determined by the reagent kit.Transcriptome technology was employed to analyze the potential mechanisms by which SSP mitigates oxidative damage in IPEC-J2 cells.The results showed that treatment with 625 μmol/L TBHP for 2 h significantly reduced the activity of IPEC-J2 cells,markedly increased LDH release(P<0.05),inhibited CAT superoxide SOD and glutathione GPX activities(P<0.05),and significantly elevated MDA and ROS levels(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,after SSP treatment,intracellular ROS levels were significantly reduced(P<0.05),while CAT,SOD,and GPX activities were significantly increased(P<0.05),and MDA content and LDH re-lease were significantly decreased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.Transcriptome analysis revealed that TBHP treatment significantly altered the transcriptional profiles of IPEC-J2 cells,while SSP treatment could restore the transcriptional profiles of the damaged cells to a certain ex-tent.Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)indicated that the differentially expressed genes between the CC and TBHP groups were significantly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation,ribosome,and other pathways.Meanwhile,the differentially expressed genes between the SSP and TBHP groups were mainly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation,ap-optosis,glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism,and other pathways.These results suggest that TBHP may disrupt normal oxidative respiration in IPEC-J2 cells by affecting oxidative phospho-rylation and interfering with metabolism pathways involving glycine,serine,and threonine,leading to oxidative damage in intestinal epithelial cells.Conversely,SSP treatment may potentially restore oxidative phosphorylation processes,alleviate lysosomal damage,reduce cell apoptosis,and miti-gate oxidative damage in intestinal epithelial cells through modulation of oxidative phosphoryla-tion,apoptosis,and lysosomal pathways.This discovery provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of SSP in alleviating oxidative damage in the porcine intestinal tract.

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