OBJECTIVE: Pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by irreversible fibrosis, represents a significant public health burden. This study investigates the causal relationships between gut microbiota, gene methylation, gene expression, protein levels, and pneumoconiosis using a multi-omics approach and Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: We analyzed gut microbiota data from MiBioGen and Esteban et al. to assess their potential causal effects on pneumoconiosis subtypes (asbestosis, silicosis, and inorganic pneumoconiosis) using conventional and summary-data-based MR (SMR). Gene methylation and expression data from Genotype-Tissue Expression and eQTLGen, along with protein level data from deCODE and UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, were examined in relation to pneumoconiosis data from FinnGen. To validate our findings, we assessed self-measured gut flora from a pneumoconiosis cohort and performed fine mapping, drug prediction, molecular docking, and Phenome-Wide Association Studies to explore relevant phenotypes of key genes. RESULTS: Three core gut microorganisms were identified: Romboutsia ( OR = 0.249) as a protective factor against silicosis, Pasteurellaceae ( OR = 3.207) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae ( OR = 2.343) as risk factors for inorganic pneumoconiosis. Additionally, mapping and quantitative trait loci analyses revealed that the genes VIM, STX8, and MIF were significantly associated with pneumoconiosis risk. CONCLUSIONS This multi-omics study highlights the associations between gut microbiota and key genes ( VIM, STX8, MIF) with pneumoconiosis, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies.
Humans ; Male ; East Asian People/genetics* ; Europe ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Lung ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/metabolism* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Multiomics ; Pneumoconiosis/microbiology* ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases

ObjectiveTo analyze the failure of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and drug resistance characteristics among the newly reported HIV-infected patients in Taizhou City from 2020 to 2022. MethodsBlood samples, sociodemographic characteristics and ART information of the newly reported HIV-infected patients who received ART for ≥6 months in Taizhou City from 2020 to 2022 were collected for the detection of recent infections and HIV-1 genotypic drug resistance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of treatment failure. The gene sequences of cases with failed ART were submitted to the HIV drug resistance database of Stanford University to determine the drug resistance mutation sites and drug resistance characteristics. ResultsAmong the 1 023 newly reported HIV-infected patients receiving ART, the median age （P₂₅，P₇₅） was 47 (33, 58) years, 81.4% were male, 66.4% (679/1 023) were infected through heterosexual transmission, 74.7% had a WHO clinical stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ, 62.2% had a baseline CD4 count of >200 cell·μL^-1, 94.4% (966/1 023) received an immediate ART, and 78.7% were long-term infected. Among the 66 patients with treatment failure (6.5%), the likelihood of treatment failure was lower in those with homosexual transmission (OR=0.39, 95%CI: 0.17‒0.84) and without history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.24‒0.92), but higher in those with a baseline CD4 count of ≤200 cell·μL^-1, delayed ART (OR=3.19, 95%CI: 1.24‒7.52), and primary drug resistance (OR=4.69, 95%CI: 1.68‒11.89). Among the 36 HIV-infected patients with virological failure, 27 sequences were successfully amplified, with a successful amplification rate of 75.0% (27/36). The total drug resistance rate was 55.6% (15/27), of which the drug resistance rates of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) were 37.0% (10/27), 51.9% (14/27) and 3.7% (1/27), respectively. Among the NNRTIs, the degree of resistance to efavirenz and nevirapine was consistent, with a majority (51.9%) of highly drug-resistant. K103N and M184V were the most common mutation sites, but PIs mutations occured less frequently. A total of 8 genotypes of HIV-1 were detected, in which subtype CRF01_AE accounted for 37.0% (10/27), followed by CRF07_BC [14.8% (4/27)], CRF08_BC [14.8% (4/27)] and subtype C [14.8% (4/27)]. ConclusionDuring the period from 2020 to 2022, the newly reported HIV-infected individuals in Taizhou City were predominated by long-term infections. Immediate initiation of ART can reduce the risk of treatment failure in HIV-infected individuals. Virological treatment failures are primarily associated with resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs. It is recommended to strengthen active detection and promptly initiate ART to minimize the occurrence of ART failure. Simultaneously, there is a need to intensify drug resistance detection targeted for those with treatment failure, so as to provide a scientific guidance for drug replacement.

Objective: Using two measuring tools to examine the prevalence and correlates of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) as well as characteristics of neurocognitive performance among people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Methods: A total of 2 250 treated PWH from the Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou (CHART) were recruited in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. The Chinese version of the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) were used to evaluate their neurocognitive performance. Cluster analysis was conducted on the seven cognitive domains in the scale. Results: Among 2 250 treated PWH, 48.0% (1 080/2 250) were aged 45 to 89, 79.2% (1 782/2 250) were male, and 37.8% (852/2 250) had primary school education or below. The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment judged by MMSE and IHDS among HIV-infected people was 14.3% (321/2 250) and 31.8% (716/2 250), respectively. Aged 60 to 89 (aOR=2.63, 95%CI:1.52-4.56), depressive symptoms (aOR=5.58, 95%CI:4.20-7.40) and treatment with EFV (aOR=2.86, 95%CI:1.89-4.34) were main risk factors of NCI diagnosed by MMSE. Male (aOR=0.71, 95%CI:0.51-1.00), overweight (aOR=0.63, 95%CI:0.44-0.89), and high education level (aOR=0.11, 95%CI:0.05-0.25) were protective factors of NCI diagnosed by MMSE. Aged 60 to 89 (aOR=3.10, 95%CI:2.09-4.59), depressive symptoms (aOR=1.78, 95%CI:1.44-2.20) and treatment with EFV (aOR=1.79, 95%CI:1.41-2.29) were risk factors of NCI diagnosed by IHDS. Male (aOR=0.75, 95%CI:0.58-0.97), underweight (aOR=0.67, 95%CI:0.47-0.96), baseline CD4⁺ T lymphocyte (CD4) counts ≥350 cells/μl (aOR=0.69, 95%CI:0.53-0.91) and high education level (aOR=0.23, 95%CI:0.14-0.39) were protective factors of NCI diagnosed by IHDS. The neurocognitive performance of HIV-infected people can be divided into four main types. Among four types, age, gender, education level, alcohol drinking, depressive symptoms, waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, diabetes, baseline CD4 counts and treatment with EFV were different statistically (all P<0.05). Conclusions: There are four main types of neurocognitive performance in treated PWH. The prevalence of NCI is high among this population, underscoring the need for tailored prevention and intervention.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Anti-Retroviral Agents ; Educational Status ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Protective Factors ; HIV Infections/drug therapy*

Objective To study the influence of SCNIA intronic mutations in mRNA splicing in febrile seizures related epilepsy,and investigate the association between splicing changes and genotype-phenotype-inheritance pattern.Methods Molecular cloning of 5 SCN1A intronic mutations was performed in patients with partial epilepsy with antecedent febrile seizures plus (PEFS+) and Dravet syndrome (DS) through constructing mutant and wild-type plasmids of pTragetE2-3-4-5 and E24-25-26 by using Minigene splicing assay,and the in vitro expressions in HENK293 cells were detected.The mRNA splicing changes were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and real time quantitative (q)-PCR.Results (1) Using RT-PCR,DS mutants presented a whole exon skipping without significant remain of normal mRNA transcripts,while PEFS+ mutants showed partial exon skipping or intronic insertion with coexistence of normal and aberrant mRNA transcripts.(2) Statistical differences were found between relative quantity (RQ) of aberrant and normal mRNA in PEFS+ mutant (c.473+5G＞A:4.92％±1.05％ and 6.10％±0.21％;c.473+5G＞C:7.97％±1.12％ and 3.94％ ±1.25％) and that in DS mutant (c.602+1G＞A:60.51％±1.81％ and 0.060％±0.022％,P＜0.05);similarly,there were statistical differences between relative RQ of normal and aberrant mRNA in PEFS+ mutant c.4853-25T＞A (71.22％±11.92％ and 7.38％±1.61％) and that in DS mutant c.4853-1G＞C (0.08％±0.01％ and 22.11％±2.83％,P＜0.05).Conclusion The position and difference of splicing patterns of SCNIA intronic mutations are potential molecular pathogenesis for phenotypic difference of febrile seizures related epilepsy.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of conventional ultrasonographic ( US),US-guided diffuse optical tomography ( US-guided DOT ) and both combined to assess treatment response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy( NAC). Methods Eighty-eight breast cancer patients,totally 93 lesions were included in the study. Pre-and post-last chemotherapy,size,and total hemoglobin concentration ( THC) of each lesion were measured by conventional US and US-guided DOT before biopsy,the change of lesion Size( ΔSize) and the change of THC( ΔTHC) were calculated respectively.Based on the guidelines to evaluate the response to treatment in solid tumors,the responses to NAC were classified into complete response, partial response, static disease, progressive disease groups. The histological response to chemotherapy were categorised as partial pathological response and complete pathological response using Miller and Payne system. Results Of 93 breast cancers,the overall response rate was 81.7%,the cPR rate was 24.7%. According to ROC curve analysis,when ΔSize 42.6% and ΔTHC 23.9% as cutoff values to evaluate the complete response and partial response,the area under the curve ( AUC ) were 0.666 and 0.751,respectively,the AUC of US and US-guided DOT combined in parallel and in series were 0.680 and 0.737 respectively.When ΔSize 64.5% and ΔTHC 27.2% as cutoff values to evaluate complete pathologial response,the AUC were 0.690 and 0.728 respectively,the AUC of US and US-guided DOT combined in parallel and in series were 0.693 and 0.726 respectively. Conclusions US-guided DOT and US can be used to predict breast cancers response to NAC,US and US-guided DOT combined in parallel and in series can not improve response prediction comparing with US or US-guided DOT alone.

Apolipoprotein J plays an important role in neuroprotection and neurological restoration after brain injury. It shows spatiotemporal dynamic expression at varying times after brain injury. Thus, it will be of great importance in the clinical treatment of brain injury, as well as in post-injury intervals estimation in forensic pathology. In this paper, we will review relevant research advance of it in brain injury.

Objective To observe value of high frequency ultrasound for inspection of T7-8 paravertebral space and adjacent structures.Methods Color Doppler ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with linear array transducer (frequency 3-12 MHz) were used.Taking shoulder blade,ribs,thoracic spine and transverse process as anatomical marks,T7-8 paravertebral spaces of 30 normal adult (a total of 60 side) were examined.Ultrasonographic features of T7-8 paravertebral space and the adjacent structures were observed.Results T7-8 thoracic paravertebral showed as similar triangular shape with ultrasonography,interior solid homogeneously hypoechoic was noticed.Adjacent muscles of T7-8 paravertebral space included the trapezius,latissimus dorsi,spinalis,semispinalis,multifidus,rotatores and intercostal muscles.Color Doppler or power Doppler flow imaging could demonstrate posterior intercostal artery in the paravertebral space.Conclusion High frequency ultrasound can clearly show T7-8 paravertebral space and adjacent structures,thus providing ultrasonic references for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lesions of thoracic space and adjacent structures.

Objective To investigate the potential pathogenesis of Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), we performed cDNA microarray analysis to obtain gene expression profile of FCD. Methods Three FCD samples and three normal controls were enrolled. Total RNA of the brain tissues were extracted. The difference gene expressions between FCD group and control group was detected using Affymetrix gene chip. The up and down-regulated genes were confirmed by Real-time PCR. Further, the related signal pathways involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of FCD were predicted by bioinformatics. Result In FCD, two up-regulated genes C21orF2 and AU152162 and 5 down-regulated genes ENPP2, ANLN, IP6K3, UGT8, and AZGP were found. Compared the FCD samples with the normal controls , there were significantly different in all down-regulated genes (P < 0.05), while the up-regulated genes were not (P > 0.05). Using bioinformatics analysis, the ENPP2 , UGT8 , and AZGP1 protein which located in the cell membrane or secreted into the extracellular matrix may be involved in the formation of the myelin sheath and the development of the nervous system by the lipid metabolism and LPA signaling pathway. Conclusion ENPP2, UGT8 and AZGP1 may be involved in pathogenesis of FCD through the process of myelin sheath formation and LPA signal pathway , which warrants further study to know their roles in the pathogenesis of FCD.

Aedes ; virology ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Genetic Variation ; Genome, Viral ; Humans ; Multigene Family ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; Zika Virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Zika Virus Infection ; epidemiology ; virology

Objective To explore the operative indication operation time and post-operative care for infants with large ventricular septal defects (VSD).Methods Eighty-eight infants who suffered from large VSD were selected,male 53 cases,female 35 cases,aged from 3 to 18 months[average (7.5-±2.9) months],weight from 5 to 13 kg [average (7.9 ± 1.9) kg].All patients underwent VSD repair and other accompanied anomaly corrections under cardiopulmonary bypass.Fifty-eight cases were operated through right atrium,14 cases through pulmonary artery and 16 cases through right ventricle.Patch repairs were done in all patients,78 cases given bovine pericardium patches,10 cases given self pericardium patches treated by Glutaral.Patients were sent to the intensive care unit after surgery,vasoactive drugs were used as a routine method.Antibotics were selected based on their sputum cultures postoperatively.Nutritional support was given in the earlier stage.Results There were no hospital death,average hospitalization days were (15.2 ± 5.9) days (from 11 to 32 days).The main complication were pneumonia (5 cases),bad coalesce of incision (4 cases),atelectasis (3 cases),minimal residual shunt of VSD (3 cases).All patients were discharged from hospital,76 cases were followed up from 1 to 12 months,2 cases had residual shunt of VSD,the residual shunt of the other case disappeared;76 patients had no clinical symptom,28 patients body weight returned to normal after 6 months of operation.There was no other complication and death.Conclusion Early surgical treatment for infants with large VSD is a safe and effective way with a better prognosis.