Palliative care is recognized as an effective measure to improve the quality of life for patients with end-stage diseases， and the significance and role of such patients participating in clinical trials to conquer major diseases has also become a broad consensus. However， due to the special physical， psychological， and social conditions of terminal trial participants， the ethical problems encountered in the trial process are more serious and complex. Drawing on ethical practice experience， these seemingly common phenomena and issues were deeply analyzed. Combined with the palliative care philosophy for end-stage patients， this paper proposed a series of improvement suggestions throughout the entire life cycle of clinical trials， hoping to promote the quality improvement of clinical research in which end-stage patients participate as subjects， while effectively protecting the safety and rights of the subjects and ensuring they receive appropriate palliative care during their participation in clinical trials or clinical-related scientific research.

Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.

Objective:To analyze the carrier rates and profiles of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants for hearing loss-related genes MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 among neonates in Nanjing city through targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Methods:Heel-prick blood samples were collected from 30 043 newborns delivered at Nanjing Women and Children′s Health Care Hospital between March 2022 and April 2024. Dried blood spots were prepared, and genomic DNA was extracted. Targeted NGS was applied to detect variants across the full coding regions of the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes. The carrier rates and profiles of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants of the three genes were analyzed. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No.: 2021KY-071). Results:The carrier rates of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants (with ≥ 1 variant site) for the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes were 0.340%, 0.226%, and 0.156%, respectively. A total of 65, 49, and 30 variant types were detected in the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes, respectively. For MYO7A, single base variants were predominant, with the most common variant being c. 5581C>T, followed by c. 1343+ 1G>A, c. 2837T>G, and c. 5660C>T, with allelic frequencies of 0.013% (8/60 086), 0.007% (4/60 086), 0.007% (4/60 086), and 0.007% (4/60 086), respectively. PCDH15 variants were mainly deletions, with the most common variant site being c. 4699_4715dupAGAGAAAAGATTCAGAG, followed by c. 3441delA, c. 440T>G, and c. 4733_4736delTCAG, with allelic frequencies of 0.015% (9/60 086), 0.005% (3/60 086), 0.005% (3/60 086), and 0.005% (3/60 086), respectively. For CDH23, single base variants were predominant, with c. 6604G>A being the most common, followed by c. 6085C>T, c. 6050+ 9G>A, and c. 6253+ 1G>A, with allelic frequencies of 0.013% (8/60 086), 0.012% (7/60 086), 0.005% (3/60 086), and 0.005% (3/60 086). Conclusion:This study analyzed the carrier rates and profiles of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants of the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes, which can provide more evidence for the prevention and management of deafness in the region.

Objective To evaluate the results of anorectal dynamics in patients with severe rec-tocele.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 38 patients defini-tively diagnosed with severe rectocele at the pelvic floor center of the anorectal department of Nanjing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to January 2023.All patients underwent anorectal manometry,and the results of anorectal dynamics were analyzed.Results A total of 15 pa-tients(39.47％)had elevated anal resting pressure(ARP),20(52.63％)had normal ARP,and 3(7.89％)had decreased ARP.Five patients(13.16％)had elevated maximum anal sphincter pressure(MASP),9(23.68％)had normal MASP,and 24(63.16％)had decreased MASP.Nor-mal defecation relaxation reflex was observed in 15 patients(39.47％),and abnormal defecation re-laxation reflex was observed in 23 patients(60.53％).Ten patients(26.32％)had normal rectal defecation pressure,and 28(73.68％)had decreased rectal defecation pressure.Eleven patients(28.95％)had elevated rectal initial sensory threshold(RIST),27(71.05％)had normal RIST.Fifteen patients(39.47％)had elevated rectal defecation sensory threshold,21(55.26％)had normal rectal defecation sensory threshold,and 2(5.26％)had decreased rectal defecation sensory threshold.Three patients(7.89％)had elevated rectal maximum tolerable volume,26(68.42％)had normal rectal maximum tolerable volume,and 9(23.68％)had decreased rectal maximum tolerable vol-ume.ARP was moderately positively correlated with the chronic constipation severity(CSS)score(P=0.007,r=0.429),and abnormal defecation relaxation reflex was moderately negatively correla-ted with the CSS score(P=0.019,r=-0.329).In 3 patients(7.89％),both ARP and MASP were decreased,and both ARP and MASP were elevated in 5 patients(13.16％).Conclusion Pre-operative anorectal dynamics analysis is necessary for patients with severe rectocele to formulate a reasonable individualized surgical plan and postoperative rehabilitation program.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the carrier rates and profiles of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants for hearing loss-related genes MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 among neonates in Nanjing city through targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS: Heel-prick blood samples were collected from 30 043 newborns delivered at Nanjing Women and Children's Health Care Hospital between March 2022 and April 2024. Dried blood spots were prepared, and genomic DNA was extracted. Targeted NGS was applied to detect variants across the full coding regions of the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes. The carrier rates and profiles of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants of the three genes were analyzed. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No.: 2021KY-071). RESULTS: The carrier rates of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants (with ≥ 1 variant site) for the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes were 0.340%, 0.226%, and 0.156%, respectively. A total of 65, 49, and 30 variant types were detected in the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes, respectively. For MYO7A, single base variants were predominant, with the most common variant being c.5581C>T, followed by c.1343+1G>A, c.2837T>G, and c.5660C>T, with allelic frequencies of 0.013% (8/60 086), 0.007% (4/60 086), 0.007% (4/60 086), and 0.007% (4/60 086), respectively. PCDH15 variants were mainly deletions, with the most common variant site being c.4699_4715dupAGAGAAAAGATTCAGAG, followed by c.3441delA, c.440T>G, and c.4733_4736delTCAG, with allelic frequencies of 0.015% (9/60 086), 0.005% (3/60 086), 0.005% (3/60 086), and 0.005% (3/60 086), respectively. For CDH23, single base variants were predominant, with c.6604G>A being the most common, followed by c.6085C>T, c.6050+9G>A, and c.6253+1G>A, with allelic frequencies of 0.013% (8/60 086), 0.012% (7/60 086), 0.005% (3/60 086), and 0.005% (3/60 086). CONCLUSION This study analyzed the carrier rates and profiles of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants of the MYO7A, PCDH15, and CDH23 genes, which can provide more evidence for the prevention and management of deafness in the region.
Humans ; Cadherins/genetics* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods* ; Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Myosin VIIa/genetics* ; Cadherin Related Proteins ; Male ; Hearing Loss/genetics* ; Myosins/genetics* ; Heterozygote

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of the combined screening of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)and seven candidate pathogenic genes of congenital hypothyroidism(CH)for CH.Methods 16 645 newborns delivered in Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital from July 2022 to July 2023 were performed the screening of TSH.Their DNA was extracted from dried blood spots and the chip capture second-generation sequencing technology was used to detect the candidate pathogenic genes,in-cluding dual oxidase 2(DUOX2),dual oxidase maturation factor 2(DUOXA2),prophet of pit-1(PROP1),thyroid-stimulating hor-mone receptor(TSHR),thyroid peroxidase(TPO),thyroglobulin(TG),and paired box 8(PAX8).The sensitivity,specificity,pos-itive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)of the screening of TSH,candidate genes,and their combination for CH were analyzed.Results A total of 13 CH patients were screened out based on sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone(sTSH)and free thyroxine(FT4),including 3 patients with hyperthyrotropinemia.Among them,11 were screened out by TSH alone,4 were screened out by candidate genes alone,and 2 were screened out by the combination of TSH and candidate genes.The sensitivity,speci-ficity,PPV,and NPV of TSH for screening CH were 84.62％,99.23％,7.91％,and 99.97％,respectively.The sensitivity,specifici-ty,PPV,and NPV of candidate genes for screening CH were 30.77％,99.87％,15.38％,and 99.87％,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,PPV,and NPV of the combination of TSH and candidate genes for screening CH were 100％,99.09％,7.88％,and 100％,respectively.The primary mutant gene in the samples with positive candidate genes was DUOX2(85.71％),mainly point muta-tions,among which the c.1588A>T variant was the most common(16.67％).PAX8(14.29％)was the second most common variation,and all of the variation point were c.280G>A.No positive samples for the pathogenic variants of DUOXA2,TSHR,PROP1,TPO,and TG were detected.Conclusion The combined screening of TSH and candidate genes helps to improve the screening efficacy of CH.The genetic etiology of CH in Nanjing area may be mainly the variation of DUOX2 and PAX8 genes.

Objective:Objective To analyze the carrier rates and mutational spectrum of pathogenic variants in deafness-associated genes among newborns in Nanjing.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, heel blood samples were collected from 30 043 neonates born at Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital between March 2022 and April 2024. DNA was extracted from dried blood spots and subjected to targeted next-generation sequencing of the full coding regions of deafness-associated genes GJB2, SLC26A4, USH2A, MT-RNR1, and MYO15A. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze carrier rates and variant characteristics, with pathogenicity classified according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Results:(1) Carrier rates: The overall carrier rate for deafness-associated gene variants was 19.196% (5 767/30 043). GJB2 showed the highest carrier rate at 13.174% (3 958/30 043), followed by SLC26A4 (2.912%, 875/30 043), USH2A (1.524%, 458/30 043), MT- RNR1 (0.959%, 288/30 043), and MYO15A (0.626%, 188/30 043). MT-RNR1 follows mitochondrial inheritance, while others are autosomal recessive. (2) Variant analysis revealed: 25 GJB2 variants with c.109G>A being most frequent (allele frequency 4.925%, 2 959/60 086), followed by c.235delC (1.127%, 677/60 086) and c.299_300delAT (0.261%, 157/60 086); 85 SLC26A4 variants dominated by c.919-2A>G (0.621%, 373/60 086), c.2009T>C (0.165%, 99/60 086), and c.2168A>G (0.100%, 60/60 086); 118 USH2A variants with c.2802T>G (0.218%, 131/60 086) and c.8559-2A>G (0.165%, 99/60 086) most prevalent; three MT-RNR1 variants including m.1095T>C (230 cases), m.1555A>G (52 cases), and m.1494C>T (six cases); and 81 MYO15A variants with c.10250_10252delCCT (0.043%, 26/60 086) being most common. Conclusion:The predominant pathogenic variants in deafness-associated genes among Nanjing neonates are GJB2 c.109G>A and SLC26A4 c.919-2A>G, with MT- RNR1 m.1095T>C representing a significant mitochondrial variant.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and summarize the best evidence on the use of bedside ultrasound by ICU nurses to assess the lungs of adult critically ill patients, and to provide a reference for clinical practice and the construction of related processes and protocols.Methods:Based on the "6S" pyramid model, a computer-based search was conducted on relevant computer decision support system, guideline networks, professional associations, and domestic and international databases, the search time limit was from the establishment of the database to June 5, 2024. The panel members who had been trained in the evidence-based course evaluated the included literature with corresponding tools, extracted evidence according to the theme.Results:Twenty-five papers were finally included, including 6 guidelines, 8 expert consensus, 2 expert opinion, 3 clinical decision-making, 3 systematic evaluation, and 3 randomized controlled trials. A total of 35 pieces of evidence were formed from 4 aspects, including personnel training, operation specifications, clinical application (including dyspnea screening, intervention implementation, efficacy evaluation, diaphragm function evaluation) and precautions.Conclusions:The best evidence for lung assessment and intervention in adult critically ill patients based on bedside ultrasound can provide a reference for the adjustment and decision-making of nursing measures for adult critically ill patients. In the subsequent process of evidence transformation, attention should be paid to combining clinical practice and the joint cooperation of medical staff.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of the combined screening of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)and seven candidate pathogenic genes of congenital hypothyroidism(CH)for CH.Methods 16 645 newborns delivered in Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital from July 2022 to July 2023 were performed the screening of TSH.Their DNA was extracted from dried blood spots and the chip capture second-generation sequencing technology was used to detect the candidate pathogenic genes,in-cluding dual oxidase 2(DUOX2),dual oxidase maturation factor 2(DUOXA2),prophet of pit-1(PROP1),thyroid-stimulating hor-mone receptor(TSHR),thyroid peroxidase(TPO),thyroglobulin(TG),and paired box 8(PAX8).The sensitivity,specificity,pos-itive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)of the screening of TSH,candidate genes,and their combination for CH were analyzed.Results A total of 13 CH patients were screened out based on sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone(sTSH)and free thyroxine(FT4),including 3 patients with hyperthyrotropinemia.Among them,11 were screened out by TSH alone,4 were screened out by candidate genes alone,and 2 were screened out by the combination of TSH and candidate genes.The sensitivity,speci-ficity,PPV,and NPV of TSH for screening CH were 84.62％,99.23％,7.91％,and 99.97％,respectively.The sensitivity,specifici-ty,PPV,and NPV of candidate genes for screening CH were 30.77％,99.87％,15.38％,and 99.87％,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,PPV,and NPV of the combination of TSH and candidate genes for screening CH were 100％,99.09％,7.88％,and 100％,respectively.The primary mutant gene in the samples with positive candidate genes was DUOX2(85.71％),mainly point muta-tions,among which the c.1588A>T variant was the most common(16.67％).PAX8(14.29％)was the second most common variation,and all of the variation point were c.280G>A.No positive samples for the pathogenic variants of DUOXA2,TSHR,PROP1,TPO,and TG were detected.Conclusion The combined screening of TSH and candidate genes helps to improve the screening efficacy of CH.The genetic etiology of CH in Nanjing area may be mainly the variation of DUOX2 and PAX8 genes.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and summarize the best evidence on the use of bedside ultrasound by ICU nurses to assess the lungs of adult critically ill patients, and to provide a reference for clinical practice and the construction of related processes and protocols.Methods:Based on the "6S" pyramid model, a computer-based search was conducted on relevant computer decision support system, guideline networks, professional associations, and domestic and international databases, the search time limit was from the establishment of the database to June 5, 2024. The panel members who had been trained in the evidence-based course evaluated the included literature with corresponding tools, extracted evidence according to the theme.Results:Twenty-five papers were finally included, including 6 guidelines, 8 expert consensus, 2 expert opinion, 3 clinical decision-making, 3 systematic evaluation, and 3 randomized controlled trials. A total of 35 pieces of evidence were formed from 4 aspects, including personnel training, operation specifications, clinical application (including dyspnea screening, intervention implementation, efficacy evaluation, diaphragm function evaluation) and precautions.Conclusions:The best evidence for lung assessment and intervention in adult critically ill patients based on bedside ultrasound can provide a reference for the adjustment and decision-making of nursing measures for adult critically ill patients. In the subsequent process of evidence transformation, attention should be paid to combining clinical practice and the joint cooperation of medical staff.