Objective To investigate the improvement of exosomes(Exo)derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)carrying miR-296-3p on blood lipid metabolism and immune function in gestational diabetes melli-tus rats.Methods After transfection of MSCs with miR-296-3p-NC and miR-296-3p mimics,Exo was extracted to obtain MSCs-Exo-miR-NC and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p,respectively.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-296-3p;Pregnant mice were prepared and induced to establish a GDM model by tail vein injection of strep-tozotocin.Then they were randomly grouped into a model group,MSCs-Exo-miR-NC group,and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p group with 10 each.In addition,10 pregnant mice were prepared as the control group.The weight of mother and fetal mice,four items of blood lipids and immune organ index in each group were measured after intervention with MSCs-Exo-miR-NC and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p.ELISA was applied to measure the level of serum immuno-globulin and immune inflammatory factors.Flow cytometry technology was applied to detect the immune function of peripheral blood T lymphocytes of rats in various groups,and their CD4+and CD8+values were compared.Results Compared with the control group,the maternal rat weight and fetal rat weight,serum triglycerides(TG),total cho-lesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),IL-6 and IL-8 levels and CD8+ratio of rats in model group in-creased(P＜0.05),the spleen and thymus index,serum high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C),IgA,IgG,IgM,IL-2 and IL-10 levels and CD4+ratio decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the maternal rat weight and fetal rat weight,serum TG,TC,LDL-C,IL-6 and IL-8 level,and CD8+ratio of rats from MSCs-Exo-miR-NC group and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p group decreased(P＜0.05),the spleen and thymus index,serum HDL-C,IgA,IgG,IgM,IL-2 and IL-10 levels and CD4+ratio all increased(P＜0.05);MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p had a stronger effect on various indicators of GDM rats(P＜0.05).Conclusions Exo derived from MSCs carrying miR-296-3p improves blood lipid metabolism and immune function of GDM rats.

Objective::To report a fetus with ARCN1-related syndrome caused by a novel de novo heterozygous variant, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis in prenatal care. Methods::The clinical and genetic data of a fetus with a complex combination of clinical signs and a novel de novo heterozygous variant were collected and have been summarized in this study. The potential pathogenic variant was identified throughout the whole exome sequencing and the effects of candidate variants were further validated by a minigene splicing assay. Results::Prenatal systematic ultrasound detected fetal growth restriction. Genetic analysis identified a novel de novo heterozygous variant within the ARCN1 gene—c.1241 +5G>A-located in intron 8. In vitro minigene splicing assays demonstrated that the variant led to two abnormal transcripts. The longer transcript retained 189 base pairs of intron 8, resulting in a truncated protein of 414 amino acids (p.Ser415*). The shorter transcript involved exon 8 skippings, producing a truncated protein of 407 amino acids (p.Ile378Serfs*31). Conclusion::A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the ARCN1 gene, namely NM_001655.5: c.1241 +5G>A, was discovered and identified in a fetus with rhizomelic short stature, microretrognathia, and developmental delays.

Objective::To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical application of the Obstetrical Chinese Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Scoring System (OCDSS).Methods::This study is a retrospective study that collected 1063 cases from Wuhan Union Hospital, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between July 2017 and June 2024. These cases were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups based on score standard. Diagnosis of DIC, the rate of hysterectomy, neonatal mortality, and severe asphyxia are the main outcome measures. All the laboratory indicators are all determined by clinical laboratory department of the hospital. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and frequencies. Independent sample t-test or non-parametric test were used to compare measurement data, while the chi-square test was used for count data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to test the predictive accuracy. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to study the high-risk factors. P < 0.050 indicates a statistical significance. Results::Of 1063 participants in this study, 29 participants (2.73%) were diagnosed with obstetrical DIC by OCDSS score standard, and all the participants were diagnosed as DIC with underlying disease. When the Takao, Clark, and Erez score standard is the "gold standard", the OCDSS score standard always shows good sensitivity and specificity, with all the AUC over 0.75. OCDSS score standard also has better predictive of hysterectomy (68.18%, 91.07%, 0.872), severe neonatal asphyxia and death (79.17%, 75.07%, 0.842) than the other three score standards. All the indicators included in the OCDSS score standard contributed to the DIC diagnosis (all the P < 0.001). The indicators in the DIC group were more abnormal than the non-DIC group (all the P < 0.001). Conclusion::OCDSS is a first score standard, especially for pregnancies, it considers the underlying disease, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results. This score system shared a good diagnosis performance for DIC in the Chinese population and may help clinicians make timely decisions.

Objective::To report a fetus with ARCN1-related syndrome caused by a novel de novo heterozygous variant, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis in prenatal care. Methods::The clinical and genetic data of a fetus with a complex combination of clinical signs and a novel de novo heterozygous variant were collected and have been summarized in this study. The potential pathogenic variant was identified throughout the whole exome sequencing and the effects of candidate variants were further validated by a minigene splicing assay. Results::Prenatal systematic ultrasound detected fetal growth restriction. Genetic analysis identified a novel de novo heterozygous variant within the ARCN1 gene—c.1241 +5G>A-located in intron 8. In vitro minigene splicing assays demonstrated that the variant led to two abnormal transcripts. The longer transcript retained 189 base pairs of intron 8, resulting in a truncated protein of 414 amino acids (p.Ser415*). The shorter transcript involved exon 8 skippings, producing a truncated protein of 407 amino acids (p.Ile378Serfs*31). Conclusion::A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the ARCN1 gene, namely NM_001655.5: c.1241 +5G>A, was discovered and identified in a fetus with rhizomelic short stature, microretrognathia, and developmental delays.

Objective::To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical application of the Obstetrical Chinese Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Scoring System (OCDSS).Methods::This study is a retrospective study that collected 1063 cases from Wuhan Union Hospital, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between July 2017 and June 2024. These cases were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups based on score standard. Diagnosis of DIC, the rate of hysterectomy, neonatal mortality, and severe asphyxia are the main outcome measures. All the laboratory indicators are all determined by clinical laboratory department of the hospital. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and frequencies. Independent sample t-test or non-parametric test were used to compare measurement data, while the chi-square test was used for count data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to test the predictive accuracy. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to study the high-risk factors. P < 0.050 indicates a statistical significance. Results::Of 1063 participants in this study, 29 participants (2.73%) were diagnosed with obstetrical DIC by OCDSS score standard, and all the participants were diagnosed as DIC with underlying disease. When the Takao, Clark, and Erez score standard is the "gold standard", the OCDSS score standard always shows good sensitivity and specificity, with all the AUC over 0.75. OCDSS score standard also has better predictive of hysterectomy (68.18%, 91.07%, 0.872), severe neonatal asphyxia and death (79.17%, 75.07%, 0.842) than the other three score standards. All the indicators included in the OCDSS score standard contributed to the DIC diagnosis (all the P < 0.001). The indicators in the DIC group were more abnormal than the non-DIC group (all the P < 0.001). Conclusion::OCDSS is a first score standard, especially for pregnancies, it considers the underlying disease, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results. This score system shared a good diagnosis performance for DIC in the Chinese population and may help clinicians make timely decisions.

Objective:To assess the utility of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in predicting Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to fluoroquinolones (FQs) and to establish a quantitative relationship between resistant gene mutations and resistance levels. Methods:A total of 296 drug-resistant tuberculosis surveillance strains with various resistance profiles, preserved by the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory of the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention between 2013 and 2020, were included as study subjects. The Sensititre? MYCOTBI microplate method and WGS were used to assess the phenotypic and genotypic drug sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to ofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Sensitivity, specificity, and concordance (Kappa value) of WGS in predicting fluoroquinolone sensitivity were calculated using phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) results as the gold standard. A summary analysis was conducted on the distribution of drug resistance mutation sites and resistance levels. The paired χ 2 test was used to compare the detection rates between the two methods, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results:Among the 296 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with different resistance profiles, 196 were rifampicin-resistant, 50 were resistant to other drugs, and 50 were fully sensitive. WGS identified 81 strains carrying FQs resistance-related mutations, primarily at gyrA codons 94, 90, and 91. Sensitivity, specificity, and consistency (Kappa value) of WGS in predicting ofloxacin resistance were 86.5%, 98.1%, and 0.87, respectively. For moxifloxacin resistance prediction, these values were 80.0%, 99.5%, and 0.83, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the phenotypic DST and WGS detection rates for ofloxacin resistance (30.1% vs 27.4%, χ 2=3.06, P=0.08). However, the phenotypic DST detection rate for moxifloxacin resistance (33.8%, 100/296) was significantly higher than that of WGS (27.4%, 81/296) (χ 2=15.43, P<0.01). Analysis of the distribution of resistance mutation sites and resistance levels showed that different mutation sites corresponded to different minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Multiple mutation combinations, including gyrA_D94G, gyrA_D94Y, and gyrA_D94N were mainly associated with high-level resistance, while gyrA_D94A, gyrA_A90V, and gyrA_S91P were primarily linked to low-level resistance. Conclusion:WGS demonstrates favorable sensitivity, specificity, and consistency in predicting FQs resistance and can partially predict resistance levels.

Objective:To explore the effect of Bushen Huoxue Decoction on ventricular remodeling and myocardial nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) protein in rats with chronic heart failure.Methods:60 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (15 rats) and experimental group (45 rats). The rats of the experimental group was established CHF model by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery combined with exhaustive swimming and starvation. Rats with chronic heart failure were randomly divided into model group, Bushen Huoxue group and lisinopril group.The Bushen Huoxue group was perfused with 15.75 g/(kg·d) Bushen Huoxue Decoction, the lisinopril group was perfused with 1.8 mg/(kg·d) of lisinopril suspension, and the sham operation group and model group were perfused with equal volume of distilled water. After 4 weeks of administration, the general mental state of rats was observed. The left ventricular internal systolic diameter (LVIDs) and internal diastolic diameter (LVIDd) were measured by cardiac color Doppler ultrasound, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and short axis shortening fraction (LVFS) were calculated. The expression of NF-κB protein in rat myocardium was detected by Western blot, and the morphology of left ventricular myocytes was observed by hematoxylin eosin staining.Results:Compared with the model group, the myocardial fibers of rats in Bushen Huoxue group and lisinopril group were arranged orderly, with few pyknosis, a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, the levels of LVIDs [(6.00±0.58)mm vs. (6.99±0.90)mm] and LVIDd [(3.96±0.51)mm vs. (5.14±0.57)mm] significantly decreased, LVEF [(54.48±6.75)% vs. (30.28±4.85)%] and LVFS [(33.86±4.27)% vs. (26.10±4.96)%] significantly increased, as well as the expression of myocardial NF-κB (1.06±0.10 vs. 1.58±0.29) protein significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Bushen Huoxue Decoction can resist ventricular remodeling,improve cardiac function and treat heart failure of CHF rats and the possible mechanism might be it could down-regulate myocardial NF-κB expression.

Hematoma enlargement is a common harmful event after cerebral hemorrhage, which can lead to deterioration of neurological function and poor outcome. Early detection of high-risk patients can help prevent hematoma enlargement and improve the outcome of patients. Although the exact mechanism of hematoma enlargement is unclear, more and more evidence shows that many imaging signs may be related to hematoma enlargement, such as dot sign, mixed sign, black hole sign, island sign, etc. This article mainly reviews the relevant imaging prediction factors of hematoma enlargement from the perspective of imaging.

Benign biliary stricture (BBS) refers to complete or incomplete stricture of the biliary tract caused by a series of non-malignant diseases. BBS often has complex and diverse etiologies, and severe complications may occur if it is not adequately treated. Diagnostic methods currently used in clinical practice include imaging, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography, and choledochoscopy, and treatment methods include balloon dilatation, stent implantation, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, and surgical treatment. At present, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of BBS has become the preferred method. However, there is still no clear classification of BBS, which needs further investigation. By consulting related literature in China and globally, this article summarizes the issues associated with the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of BBS.

Liver biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis stage in patients with chronic hepatitis B, but it has certain limitations due to its invasiveness. At present, elastography and serological examination have the advantages of convenience, good repeatability, and dynamic testing and are thus widely used in clinical practice. The accuracy of testing has been supported by a large number of studies, and they have been gradually recommended by various guidelines and expert consensus. However, the diagnostic accuracy of the two methods is affected by factors such as inflammation, obesity, ascites, eating, and intercostal space stenosis, and elastography combined with serological examination can greatly improve the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of liver fibrosis staging. With reference to related articles in China and globally, this article reviews the problems of the two methods in the staging of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis.