With the continuous development of society, a large number of new chemicals are continuously emerging, which presents a challenge to current risk assessment and safety management of chemicals. Traditional toxicology research methods have certain limitations in quickly, efficiently, and accurately assessing the toxicity of many chemicals, and cannot meet the actual needs. In response to this challenge, computational toxicology that use mathematical and computer models to achieve the prediction of chemical toxicity has emerged. In the meantime, as researchers increasingly pay attention to understanding the interaction mechanisms between exogenous chemical substances and the body from the system level, and multiomics technologies develop rapidly such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, huge amounts of data have been generated, providing rich information resources for studying the interactions between chemical substances and biological molecules. System toxicology and network toxicology have also developed accordingly. Of these, network toxicology can integrate these multiomics data to construct biomolecular networks, and then quickly predict the key toxicological targets and pathways of chemicals at the molecular level. This paper outlined the concept and development of network toxicology, summarized the main methods and supporting tools of network toxicology research, expounded the application status of network toxicology in studying potential toxicity of exogenous chemicals such as agricultural chemicals, environmental pollutants, industrial chemicals, and foodborne chemicals, and analyzed the development prospects and limitations of network toxicology research. This paper aimed to provide a reference for the application of network toxicology in other fields.

This article presents a case study of a patient who visited the Geriatric Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital due to "palpitations, shortness of breath for more than 2 years, limb weakness for 6 months, edema, and nocturnal dyspnea for 2 months". The patient exhibited decreased muscle strength in the limbs and involvement of swallowing and respiratory muscles, alongside complications of heart failure and various arrhythmias which were predominantly atrial. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of multiple autoantibodies and notably anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with anti-mitochondrial antibody-associated inflammatory myopathy. Treatment involved a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, along with resistance exercises for muscle strength and rehabilitation training for lung function, resulting in significant improvement of clinical symptoms. The case underscores the importance of collaborative multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosing and treating rare diseases in elderly patients, where careful consideration of clinical manifestations and subtle abnormal clinical data can lead to effective interventions.

ObjectiveTo understand the status of parasitic infection in the food sold on market in Qingpu District of Shanghai, and to provide an evidence for the development of prevention and control strategies for parasitic infection applicable to Qingpu District. MethodsAquatic products, meat products and other foodstuffs sold on online shops, at farm product markets, supermarkets/foodstores and restaurants were sampled in Qingpu District, Shanghai, during 2015‒2023, based on the administrative division of Qingpu District. The parasitic infection in the food samples were examined using pressing method and digestion for detecting metacercariae in freshwater products and pickled products, using dissection microscopy for Anisakis larvae in seawater products, Taenia cysticercus and Trichinella encysted larvae in meat products. ResultsA total of 1 079 samples of food products were examined during 2015‒2023, with a total parasite infection rate of 13.44%. The total parasite infection rate of freshwater fish products was 3.40% (16/471), and the difference of parasite infection rates between different freshwater fish species was statistically significant (χ²=229.609, P=0.001). The total infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis was 3.18% (15/471), which had been detected in Pseudorasbora parva, Cyprinidae rhodeus, and Carassius auratus, with a positive rate of 77.78% (7/9), 50.00% (5/10) and 3.90% (3/77), respectively. Metorchis orientalis was detected in in Pseudorasbora parva, with a positive rate of 33.33% (3/9). The positive rate of Gnathostoma spinigerum (third-stage larvae) was 0.81%. Paragonimus metacercariae were not detected in the freshwater shrimps and crabs. The infection rate of seawater fish products was 26.46%. The difference of parasite infection rate in seawater fishes was statistically significant (χ²=109.181, P=0.001). A total of 53 pork and beef samples were tested, none was detected with Trichinella larva cysts, Taenia solium metacercariae, and Taenia saginata metacercariae. The total infection rate of pickled yellow mud snail products was 58.11% (43/74). Paragonimus metacercariae was not detected in any of the pickled aquatic product samples. ConclusionThere are different degrees of parasitic infection in freshwater products, seawater products and pickled aquatic products in Qingpu District of Shanghai. The risk of parasite infection from raw or undercooked foods is high. Health education on healthy dietary practices such as throughly cooked food should be strengthened for local residents.

Objective:To investigate the molecular characteristics and clinical heterogeneity of Usher syndrome（USH） -related gene variants in patients with hereditary hearing loss in southwest China, providing a basis for early diagnosis and clinical management. Methods:Thirteen patients from twelve families with hearing loss who attended the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2017 and March 2021 were enrolled. All patients were identified as carrying USH-related gene variants through next-generation sequencing. Sanger sequencing was performed for all patients and their parents to validate the pathogenic variants. Comprehensive clinical evaluations, including medical history collection, otologic and ophthalmologic examinations, and vestibular function assessments, were conducted. Results:Among the 13 patients, 4 were diagnosed with USH type 1 and 2 with USH type 2. A total of 19 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were detected in USH-related genes, including MYO7A,CDH23,USH1C, and USH2A. The causative gene was MYO7A in 3 probands, CDH23 in 5, USH1C in 3, and USH2Ain 2. All patients exhibited an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Vestibular dysfunction was observed in 4 patients, and retinitis pigmentosa（RP） in 3 patients. Based on the genotype-phenotype correlation, 6 patients were initially diagnosed with USH, while 7 were classified as having non-syndromic hearing loss（NSHL）. Conclusion:This study revealed the clinical heterogeneity of USH-related gene variants in patients with hereditary deafness in southwest China. Although the clinical manifestations of USH are complex and there are overlapping characteristics between different subtypes, genetic testing provides an important basis for early diagnosis and precise clinical management. Especially for those with typical hearing loss, early genetic diagnosis can provide a window of time for early detection and intervention of retinitis pigmentosa.
Humans ; Usher Syndromes/genetics* ; Myosin VIIa ; Phenotype ; Male ; Female ; Myosins/genetics* ; Mutation ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Child ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Pedigree ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Cadherin Related Proteins ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; Cell Cycle Proteins

[摘 要] 目的：探究包被蛋白复合体β1亚基（COPB1）在食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）中的表达，及其对ESCC细胞恶性生物学行为的影响、作用机制及临床意义。方法：采用2014～2018年间在河北医科大学第四医院生物样本库中82例ESCC组织及癌旁组织，常规培养正常食管鳞状上皮细胞HEEC和食管癌细胞KYSE-150、KYSE-170、Eca109、TE1、KYSE-30、KYSE-450，用转染试剂将pcDNA3.1-vector（空载体）、pcDNA3.1-COPB1载体，si-NC和si-COPB1转染至KYSE-150、TE1细胞中，记为NC、COPB1-OE、si-NC和si-COPB1组。用数据库数据分析COPB1 mRNA在泛癌组织中的表达及其表达与免疫细胞浸润的关系，qPCR法检测ESCC组织和细胞中COPB1、PIK3CB、CD68、CD163、CD206、ARG1、IL-10 mRNA水平表达情况，WB法检测ESCC组织和各组细胞中的COPB1、PI3K、CD68、CD163、CD206、p-AKT蛋白表达，克隆形成实验和MTS实验检测各组细胞的增殖能力，划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验检测各组细胞的迁移和侵袭能力，免疫组织化学染色（IHC）法检测ESCC组织中COPB1和CD206蛋白表达。以人单核细胞白血病细胞（THP-1）构建巨噬细胞模型，用佛波酯（PMA）和IL-3和IL-4和ESCC细胞上清液诱导巨噬细胞转型，用qPCR和WB法检测CD68和CD206m RNA和蛋白的表达。结果：COPB1在泛癌组织和ESCC组织中均呈高表达且与淋巴结转移和TNM分期有关联（均P < 0.01），COPB1高表达的ESCC患者总生存期短（P < 0.05），COPB1是潜在的ESCC的诊断标志物。COPB1在KYSE-150和TE1细胞中也呈高表达（均P < 0.05），过表达或敲减COPB1可明显抑制或促进KYSE-150和TE1细胞的增殖能力、迁移和侵袭能力（均P < 0.05）。COPB1表达变化诱导的差异表达基因主要富集于PI3K/AKT通路（均P < 0.001）, COPB1可促进PI3K/AKT通路的活化（P < 0.05），COPB1高表达可导致M2型巨噬细胞浸润增加（P < 0.05），COPB1高表达促进TAM/M2极化（P < 0.05）。结论：COPB1在ESCC组织中呈高表达，其可激活PI3K/AKT通路及调控肿瘤免疫微环境促进 ESCC发生发展，COPB1有望成为ESCC诊断和预后的生物标志物及治疗靶点。

Objective To investigate the level of self-efficacy in peritoneal dialysis patients,and to ana-lyze its influencing factors.Methods The convenience sampling method was adopted.A total of 232 patients with peritoneal dialysis in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected as the study subjects to conduct the status quo survey of chronic disease self-efficacy scale,social support scale,medical coping style questionnaire and patient positivity scale,and the results were analyzed.Re-sults The self-efficacy score of the patients with peritoneal dialysis(6.67±2.14)points,education level,fam-ily monthly income,working status,submission,social support,objective support,subjective support and pa-tient positivity were the main factors affecting the level of self-efficacy(P<0.05),explaining 64.4%of the variation amount.Self-efficacy was positively correlated with social support,facing and patient positivity(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with avoidance and submission(P<0.05).Conclusion The self-efficacy of peritoneal dialysis patients is generally at a low to medium level.Medical staff should pay more attention to it and improve it.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on myocardial function in early spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)with layer-specific global longitudinal strain(GLS).Methods A total of 45 male SHR aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into control group(normal saline),dapagliflozin group[1 mg/(kg·day)],and losartan group[10 mg/(kg·day)].Fifteen male Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats at same age with normal blood pressure were subjected and served as blank control group.During 8 weeks of intervention,systolic blood pressure(SBP)was measured,and conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2DSTE)were performed and the results were collected to acquire the longitudinal strain of each layer of left ventricular(LV)myocardium.The parameters were compared among the groups.The pathological changes of myocardium were observed in each group of rats.Results Compared with the WKY group,LV ejection fraction(LVEF)and LV fraction shortening(LVFS)at week 8 were decreased in the control group(P＜0.05),but no such decreases were observed in the dapagliflozin group and the losartan group.The GLS of endo-myocardium(GLSendo)at the 6th week was decreased,and GLSendo,GLSmid and GLSepi at the 8th week were all decreased in the control group than the WKY group(all P＜0.05).But there were no statistical differences in the above 3 indicators in the dapagliflozin and losartan groups when compared with the WKY group(all P＞0.05).The pathological results showed that myocardial interstitial fibrosis was observed in the control group at the 6th week.Conclusion Dapagliflozin can effectively improve myocardial function in early SHR.

Objective To explore the value of preoperative ultrasound examination in the prediction of restenosis of arteriovenous fistula(AVF)after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)in hemodialysis patients.Methods A case-control trial was conducted on 225 hemodialysis patients who undergoing PTA due to AVF in our hospital January 2023 to May 2024.After 3 months of follow-up,they were divided into a patency group(n=204)and a restenosis group(n=21)according to the occurrence of postoperative restenosis.The preoperative clinical data and ultrasound parameters were compared between the groups.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent factors for AVF restenosis after PTA.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the value of preoperative stenosis length in the prediction of the restenosis after PTA.Results There were significant differences in preoperative internal diameter at the site of stenosis,stenosis length,stenosis number,intimal thickness,and brachial artery flow between the 2 groups(P<0.05).Preoperative stenosis length(OR=1.856,95%CI:1.350～2.552,P<0.001)was an independent factor of AVF restenosis in hemodialysis patients after PTA.ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of preoperative stenosis length in predicting restenosis after PTA was 0.868(95%CI:0.784～0.953,P<0.001),with a sensibility and specificity of 85.7%and 80.4%,respectively.Conclusion Preoperative stenosis length may be an independent factor for AVF restenosis after PTA in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism of a case with RhD-- phenotype. METHODS: A proband with RhD-- phenotype who attended the clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University on January 29, 2024 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband (8 mL) and her close relatives (father, mother and brother; 3 mL each) for Rh phenotyping and irregular antibodies testing with gel card and test tube methods. Direct agglutination reaction and absorption-elution test were used to detect the c antigen on the red blood cells of the proband. PCR-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) typing and gene sequencing were used to determine the RHCE gene of the proband and her relatives. The origin of the proband's variant was traced by pedigree analysis. Three-dimensional structural models of the wild-type RhCE*cE protein and the RhD-- phenotype protein were constructed to predict the alterations of the RhD-- phenotype protein caused by the variant. The procedures of this study were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No.: 2023-KY-0870-003). RESULTS: The red blood cells of the proband did not agglutinate with anti-C, anti-c, anti-E, and anti-e. The result of the serum irregular antibody test was negative. The results of direct agglutination reaction and absorption-elution test of the proband were both negative. Her Rh blood group was identified as RhD--. The results of the Rh blood grouping of her close relatives were normal. PCR-SSP detection showed that the RHCE genotypes of the proband and her close relatives were cE/cE and Ce/cE, respectively. Gene sequencing analysis showed that the RHCE genotypes of the proband and her close relatives were RHCE*cE (c.365C>A)/RHCE*cE (c.365C>A) and RHCE*Ce/RHCE*cE (c.365C>A), respectively. Pedigree analysis revealed that the variants in the proband were inherited from her father and mother, respectively. Homology modeling of RhCE*cE protein showed that the RhD-- type peptide chain with a significantly shortened C-terminal was encoded by only 121 amino acid resides, which was 296 amino acid resides shorter compared to the wild-type RhCE*cE peptide chain encoded by 417 amino acid residues. CONCLUSION Above results revealed the molecular biological mechanism of a RhD-- phenotype. The c.365C>A variant in the RHCE gene has rendered the RHCE*cE alleles invalid, which ultimately led to the RhD-- phenotype.
Humans ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/chemistry* ; Female ; Phenotype ; Male ; Alleles ; Pedigree ; Base Sequence ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Adult

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided endovascular therapy for autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) thrombosis.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Data of patients undergoing ultrasound-guided intravascular therapy due to AVF thrombosis in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from August 2018 to June 2021 were analyzed. According to different surgical procedures, the patients were divided into two groups. Patients treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) + drilling thrombectomy were in group A, and patients treated with PTA only were in group B. After 1 year of follow-up, the surgical technique success rate, primary patency rate, secondary patency rate and complications were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 152 patients were enrolled, including 74 in group A and 78 in group B. There were no significant differences in gender, age, proportion of patients with diabetes and hypertension, and thrombosis time of AVF between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with group B, the diameter and length of thrombus in group A were larger [13.0(9.0, 16.0) mm vs. 6.0(5.0, 6.5) mm, Z=-9.362, P<0.001; 12(8, 15) cm vs. 3(3, 4) cm, Z=-10.061, P<0.001], and the establishment time of AVF was longer [5(2, 7) years vs. 2(1, 5) years, Z=-2.698, P=0.007]. Among the overall patients, the success rate of surgery was 96.7% (147/152), and the success rate of surgery was 95.9% (71/74) in group A and 97.4% (76/78) in group B respectively, with no statistical difference ( χ2=0.004, P=0.952). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that, overall, the primary patency rate at 3rd, 6th and 12th month after operation was 87.1%, 71.4% and 56.6%, and the secondary patency rate was 97.1%, 96.4% and 94.1%, respectively. The primary patency rate of group A at 3rd, 6th and 12th month was 82.4%, 66.7% and 53.6%, and the secondary patency rate was 95.7%, 94.2% and 89.7%, respectively. The primary patency rate of group B at 3rd, 6th and 12th month was 91.5%, 73.2% and 59.7%, and the secondary patency rate was 98.6%, 98.6% and 98.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the primary and secondary patency rate between group A and group B at 3rd, 6th and 12th month (all P>0.05). The duration of operation in group A was longer than that in group B [2.0(1.9, 2.0) h vs. 2.0(1.0, 2.0) h, Z=-5.181, P<0.001], but no serious complications occurred in both groups. Conclusion:The two surgical methods are effective, safe and reliable in the treatment of AVF thrombosis, and have high clinical application value.