[Objective] To study the inter-allelic recombination event occurring in the HLA-B locus, and to evaluate the molecular genetic mechanisms of a novel HLA allele, predict and analyze the impact of its amino acid residue changes on the three-dimensional structure. [Methods] HLA typing was taken with polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-SSOP) by Luminex. Sequence-based typing (SBT) and gene clone were used to analyze exons 1-4 sequences of HLA-B allele. In order to determine the exact site of inter-allelic recombination event occurring in the HLA-B locus, sequences of the HLA-B alleles were compared with the IMGT/HLA database by the program “Alignment”. After homology modeling using the Swiss-Model software, the three-dimensional structure of the molecules was simulated using the Swiss Pdb Viewer software, and the FATCAT online software was used to compare the differences in the three-dimensional structures of the molecules. [Results] HLA typing indicated the PCR-SSOP pattern did not match with any known HLA-B alleles, suspected to be a new HLA allele. The genetic clone sequencing results showed HLA-B alleles of the proband were B^*13∶02 and a novel allele. The HLA-B exon2 nucleotide sequence of the novel allele was different from any other known alleles. The novel allele has 12 nucleotides replaced when compared with the closest matching B^*35∶01∶01∶01 allele from c.259 to c.299, which result in 8 amino acids changes. The sequence was identical in B^*35∶01∶01∶01 in exon 1, exon 3, exon 4, intron 1, intron 2, intron 3 and at c.74 to c.258 in exon 2, and c.259 to c.343 sequence in exon 2 was identical in B^*46∶01∶01 by blast search. The structure of the mutant alleles was similar to that of B^*35∶01∶01∶01 and B^*46∶01∶01, and the local hydrogen bonds of amino acids p.63-p.79 were changed at the recombination site. [Conclusion] This study demonstrates a rare inter-allelic recombination event occurring in the HLA-B locus. It has been officially designated as HLA-B^*35∶186 by WHO Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System. It illustrates the process of novel allele, and provides new evidence for the further studying mechanisms of gene recombination and HLA polymorphism.

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), recognized as emerging environmental pollutants, are widely distributed in natural environments. Due to their small particle size and significant migratory capacity, MNPs can infiltrate diverse environmental matrices, then invade and accumulate in the organism via the skin, respiration, and digestion. Recently, concerns have grown over the detrimental effects and potential toxicity of MNPs on reproductive health. This review summarized published epidemiological and toxicological studies related to MNPs exposure and their effects on reproductive health. Firstly, this review critically examined the current landscape of epidemiological evidence and found that MNPs (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc.) are present in various biological specimens from both males and females, and their presence may be associated with an increased risk of reproductive disorders. Secondly, extensive toxicological studies revealed that MNPs exposure induces reproductive health damage through mechanisms such as disrupting the microstructure of reproductive organs and altering molecular-level expressions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis are identified as potential links between MNPs exposure and reproductive damage. Finally, this review addressed the prevalent shortcomings in existing studies and proposed future directions to tackle the challenges posed by MNPs-induced reproductive harm. These insights aim to inform strategies for safeguarding public reproductive health and ecological security, providing a scientific foundation for mitigating risks associated with MNPs pollution.

BACKGROUND: The transcription factor POU2F1 regulates the expression levels of microRNAs in neoplasia. However, the miR-29b1/a cluster modulated by POU2F1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. METHODS: Gene expression in GC cells was evaluated using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and RNA in situ hybridization. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to evaluate protein interactions. Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the biological behavior of GC cells. MiR-29b1/a cluster promoter analysis and luciferase activity assay for the 3'-UTR study were performed in GC cells. In vivo tumor metastasis was evaluated in nude mice. RESULTS: POU2F1 is overexpressed in GC cell lines and binds to the miR-29b1/a cluster promoter. POU2F1 is upregulated, whereas mature miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p are downregulated in GC tissues. POU2F1 promotes GC metastasis by inhibiting miR-29b-3p or miR-29a-3p expression in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, PIK3R1 and/or PIK3R3 are direct targets of miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p , and the ectopic expression of PIK3R1 or PIK3R3 reverses the suppressive effect of mature miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p on GC cell metastasis and invasion. Additionally, the interaction of PIK3R1 with PIK3R3 promotes migration and invasion, and miR-29b-3p , miR-29a-3p , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 regulate migration and invasion via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway in GC cells. In addition, POU2F1 , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 expression levels negatively correlated with miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p expression levels in GC tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS The POU2F1 - miR-29b-3p / miR-29a-3p-PIK3R1 / PIK3R1 signaling axis regulates tumor progression and may be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/physiology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Octamer Transcription Factor-1/metabolism* ; Mice, Nude ; Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics* ; Male ; Immunohistochemistry ; Female

OBJECTIVES: To develop a risk prediction model for the transformation of chronic atrophic gastritis to high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns. METHODS: Clinical data of 201 chronic atrophic gastritis patients who visited the Second People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Dong'erhuan Branch between January 2022 and March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 32 patients with HGIN (HGIN group) and 169 patients with moderate and severe chronic atrophic gastritis (non-HGIN group). The information of demographic characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle factors, social and psychosocial factors, family history of tumors, medical history and comorbidities, long-term medication, endoscopic findings, histopathological examination results, as well as TCM syndrome types were collected. Potential HGIN risk factors were screened using LASSO regression, and the significant risk factors for establishing an HGIN risk prediction model were identified using logistic regression analysis. The final model was visually presented using a nomogram, and its diagnostic performance was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Spleen-stomach Qi deficiency was the most common TCM syndrome in both HGIN and non-HGIN groups. LASSO-logistic regression model analysis showed that heavy alcohol consumption (X1), syndrome of static blood in stomach collaterals (X2), low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (X3), high-salt diet (X4), and age (X5) were independent risk factors related to the occurrence of HGIN, and the predictive model was ln［P/(1－P)］=2.159X1+2.230X2+1.664X3+2.070X4+0.122X5- 11.096. The model demonstrated good discriminative ability, calibration, and goodness-of-fit, with area under the curve values of 0.940 and 0.891 in the training and validation sets, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The TCM syndrome of static blood in stomach collaterals shows correlation with the transformation from chronic atrophic gastritis to HGIN. The HGIN prediction model based on TCM syndrome patterns developed in the study demonstrates potential value in clinical application.
Humans ; Gastritis, Atrophic/diagnosis* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Carcinoma in Situ/diagnosis* ; Aged ; Nomograms ; Chronic Disease ; Logistic Models

Objective To investigate the effect of a small amount of leukocyte mixed in platelets on platelet RNA relat-ed study,and to further propose a method to remove leukocyte contamination.Methods The collected platelets were divid-ed into groups and then processed.1)Control group:Cells were collected by direct centrifugation;2)Centrifuge purifica-tion group:Centrifuge with different centrifugal forces to collect precipitated cells and recover suspended cells;3)Magnetic bead purification group:Remove CD45 positive leukocyte from platelets using magnetic bead method,and recover CD45 negative platelet cells.Total RNA was extracted from the cells,and cDNA was reverse transcribed from the extracted RNA.The fragments of housekeeping gene β-actin,platelet marker ITGA2B and leukocyte marker PTPRC were PCR amplified u-sing cDNA as a template.The results of the PCR amplification were used to determine the influence of leukocyte contamina-tion in platelet mRNA study and the effect of centrifugation purification and magnetic bead purification.Results PTPRC gene could be detected in cDNA from platelet cells obtained by direct centrifugation.PTPRC gene was also detected in cell segments collected from both precipitated and suspended cells after centrifugation under different conditions.But PTPRC was not detected in platelet after removal of CD45 positive cells by magnetic bead.Conclusion A small amount of leukocyte contamination in platelets can interfere with the mRNA study of platelets.The simple centrifugation could not remove the leukocyte contamination in platelets,but the magnetic bead had a better purification effect.

OBJECTIVE To provide the basis for commodity grade classification and quality evaluation of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao by studying the correlation between the microscopic quantification of transsection tissue of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao and the content of quality markers. METHODS The microscopical quantitative parameters of 7 tissues in the cross section of 13 batches of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao were measured, and the chemical components of 7 quality markers were measured by HPLC. For 7 tissues microquantitative parameters and 7 quality markers of 13 batches of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao and 8 results of addition and division calculation(hereinafter referred to as “calculation results”), SPSS 26.0 software was used for Spearman correlation analysis and cluster analysis, Graphpad Prism 8.0 was used for multiple linear regression of significant correlation variables, and SIMCA 14.1 was used for principal component analysis. RESULTS There were many pairs of significant correlation between wood ray number, xylem width, cork layer width, phloem width/xylem width and the quality markers and their calculation results. The tissue morphology of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao transverse section could describe the content of quality markers. Two principal components were extracted by principal component analysis, and the six variables that contributed significantly to the principal components were calycosin-7-glucoside, ononin, phloem width/xyloside width, astragaloside IV, Astragaloside I and Astragaloside II. Thirteen batches of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao were divided into two categories, and the results were consistent with cluster analysis. CONCLUSION Based on the correlation between the microscopic quantification of cross-section tissue and the content of quality markers, this study indirectly represents the content of quality markers with the microscopic quantitative parameters of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge. var. mongholicus(Bge.) Hsiao cross-section tissue, which provides a new scientific basis for the comprehensive basis of commodity grade classification of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao medicinal materials, and has reference value for the formation of modern evaluation model of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge.var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao medicinal materials quality.

Objective:To report on a case of Kabuki syndrome (KS) due to a novel variant of KMT2D gene. Methods:A child diagnosed with KS at the Fujian Children′s Hospital on July 25, 2022 was selected as the study subject. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the child and her parents. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.Results:The child, a 4-month-old female, had presented with distinctive facial features, growth retardation, cardiac malformations, horseshoe kidney, hypothyroidism, and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Whole exome sequencing revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous c. 6285dup (p.Lys2096Ter) variant of the KMT2D gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that neither of her parents had carried the same variant. The variant was previously unreported, and may result in a truncated protein and loss of an enzymatic activity region. The corresponding site of the variant is highly conserved. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as pathogenic (PVS1+ PS2+ PM2_Supporting). Conclusion:The c. 6285 dup variant of the KMT2D gene probably underlay the KS in this child.

Objective:To investigate the iodine nutritional status of key populations in iodine adequate areas in Henan Province, and provide a basis for timely adoption of targeted prevention and control measures and scientific formulation of iodine supplementation strategies in iodine adequate areas.Methods:From March to September 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 60 iodine adequate counties (cities, districts) in 13 provincial-level cities in Henan Province. Administrative villages with a median water iodine level of 40 - 100 μg/L within each county (city, district) were stratified by water iodine value (40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70 - 79, 80 - 89, 90 - 100 μg/L). One administrative village was selected from each water iodine layer, and 40 non boarding students aged 8 - 10 years old (age balanced, half male and half female) and 20 pregnant women were selected from each administrative village to collect their household edible salt samples and once random urine sample for test salt iodine and urinary iodine contents; and the thyroid volume of children was measured.Results:A total of 12 203 samples of household edible salt were collected from children aged 8 - 10 years old, with a median salt iodine of 24.5 mg/kg, the iodized salt coverage rate was 85.3% (10 414/12 203), and the qualified iodized salt consumption rate was 77.1% (9 406/12 203). A total of 3 999 samples of household edible salt were collected from pregnant women, with a median salt iodine of 24.0 mg/kg, the iodized salt coverage rate was 84.2% (3 366/3 999), and the qualified iodized salt consumption rate was 74.5% (2 981/3 999). A total of 12 241 urine samples from children aged 8 - 10 years old were collected, with a median urinary iodine of 290.4 μg/L. A total of 4 084 urine samples from pregnant women were collectedd, with a median urinary iodine of 233.0 μg/L. The thyroid volume of 11 971 children was examined, and the rate of goiter was 2.1% (257/11 971). Stratified by water iodine content, the median urinary iodine levels of children in 40 - 59, 60 - 79, and 80 - 100 μg/L water iodine groups were 269.7, 298.0 and 308.0 μg/L, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the groups ( H = 67.32, P < 0.001). The goiter rates of children were 2.2% (100/4 603), 2.1% (80/3 733), 2.1% (77/3 635), respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (χ 2 = 0.03, P = 0.986). The median urinary iodine levels of pregnant women were 225.4, 243.1, 234.4 μg/L, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the groups ( H = 10.96, P = 0.004). Conclusions:The iodine nutrition level of children in iodine adequate areas in Henan Province is at an excessively suitable level, and pregnant women's iodine nutrition is at an appropriate level. It is recommended to strengthen surveillance on the basis of maintaining current prevention and control measures, and adjust prevention and control measures in a timely manner according to changes in iodine nutrition in the population.

To improve the effectiveness of bedside localization of nasointestinal tube(NIT)and facilitate the placement of nasointestinal tube into jejunum,we established a procedure and composed a teaching verse for bedside placement of nasointestinal tube based on relevant classical literature and our own practices.Verse content:enteral nutrition means a successful strategy to improve the outcome in critically ill patient management,never hesitate to place nasointestinal tubes when necessary.There are several methods to deal with it,but popularizing it remains a long way off.Half-sitting and swallowing into the esophagus,freely withdrawing signifies the stomach cavity.Passing through the pylorus using light tension on the tube in the right lateral decubitus position.Arriving at the jejunum with low resistance in the left lateral decubitus position.What are the signs of intragastric coiling?Tube return out of nose is the initial observation,Failure of air insufflation indicates tube coiling.Dyeing location surpasses imaging.Vacuum test is the most sensitive,Sequential change from acid to base is specific.Methylene blue test is dramatical for localization.Combining three methods is enough to navigate.Abdominal plain film is the goldan standard and can still be used in ultrasonic era.3-D image establishes overall view.CT reveals the tube route exactly.The teaching verse has become a powerful tool for clinical teaching of manual nasointestinal tube placement in a concise and easy-to-remember form.