ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.

Accurate timing of myelination is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Here, we identified a de novo heterozygous mutation in TMEM63A (c.1894G>A; p. Ala632Thr) in a 7-year-old boy exhibiting hypomyelination. A Ca²⁺ influx assay suggested that this is a loss-of-function mutation. To explore how TMEM63A deficiency causes hypomyelination, we generated Tmem63a knockout mice. Genetic deletion of TMEM63A resulted in hypomyelination at postnatal day 14 (P14) arising from impaired differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Notably, the myelin dysplasia was transient, returning to normal levels by P28. Primary cultures of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs presented delayed differentiation. Lentivirus-based expression of TMEM63A but not TMEM63A_A632T rescued the differentiation of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs in vitro and myelination in Tmem63a^-/- mice. These data thus support the conclusion that the mutation in TMEM63A is the pathogenesis of the hypomyelination in the patient. Our study further demonstrated that TMEM63A-mediated Ca²⁺ influx plays critical roles in the early development of myelin and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation/physiology* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice ; Male ; Myelin Sheath/metabolism* ; Humans ; Child ; Cells, Cultured ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/metabolism*

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar crop. Biotic and abiotic stresses such as diseases, cold, and drought are major factors limiting sugarcane production. β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), a member of the pathogenesis-related protein family, plays an essential role not only in the plant defenses against pathogens but also in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. To systematically investigate the sugarcane β-1,3-glucanase gene family, 132 glycoside hydrolase (GH) 17 family members were identified in the genomes of the sugarcane wild species Saccharum spontaneum 'Np-X', the tropical species S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', and the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570'. The results of the phylogenetic analysis categorized them into four subfamilies, of which subfamily Ⅳ had the largest proportion of members (102). The members of the sugarcane GH17 gene family contained five conserved motifs and 0-16 introns. The majority of the GH17 genes exhibited a genome-wide replication pattern, with 89.50% originating from S. spontaneum 'Np-X' and S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', while 58.10% of them in the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570' belonged to the discrete replication type. Four major classes of cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters, including the elements related to plant growth, development, and tissue-specific expression (14.21%), light-responsive elements (38.24%), biotic or abiotic stress-responsive elements (9.18%), and hormone-responsive elements (38.37%), which suggested that this gene family was involved in plant growth, development, hormone responses, and stress responses. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses showed that the sugarcane GH17 genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and were differentially expressed under low temperature, drought, and hormone treatments, as well as during the interactions between different sugarcane genotypes and Sporisorium scitamineum, suggesting their potential roles in plant defenses. In addition, some SsGlu genes (SsGlu5, SsGlu20, SsGlu21, SsGlu25, SsGlu28, and SsGlu39) were expected to serve as candidate stress-related genes. This study lays a foundation for further revealing the molecular mechanisms of the stress resistance of sugarcane via β-1,3-glucanase genes.
Saccharum/physiology* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase/metabolism* ; Multigene Family ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the effect of feeder layer cells expressing interleukin(IL)-21 on the amplification of NK cells in vitro.Methods:The K562 cell line with IL-21 expression on its membrane was constructed by electroporation,and co-cultured with NK cells after inactivation.The proliferation of NK cells was observed.The killing function of the amplified NK cells in vitro was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and interferon-γ(IFN-y)release assay.A colorectal cancer xenograft model in NOD/SCID mice was established,and a blank control group,a NK cell group and an amplified NK cell group were set up to detect the tumor killing effect of amplified NK cells in vivo.Results:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane were successfully constructed by electroporation.After co-culturing with K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane for 17 days,the NK cells increased to 700 times,which showed an enhanced amplification ability compared with control group(P＜0.001).In the tumor cell killing experiment in vitro,there was no significant difference in the killing activity on tumor cells between NK cells and amplified NK cells,and there was also no significant difference in mice in vivo.Conclusion:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane can significantly increase the amplification ability of NK cells in vitro,but do not affect the killing function of NK cells in vitro and in vivo.It can be used for the subsequent large-scale production of NK cells in vitro.

Objective To investigate the relationship between triglyceride-gluscose(TyG)index in early pregnancy and the delivery of small for gestational age infant(SGA)in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).Methods A total of 1 532 pregnant women from Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital and the Second People's Hospital of Kashgar Region,who were enrolled in the study between Jan 2018 and Jun 2023 and met the inclusion criteria,were categorized into the group with GDM(754 cases)and the group without GDM(778 cases)based on the results of the oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)conducted at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.Within the GDM group,patients were further categorized into 3 groups based on neonatal weight:SGA group,large for gestational age infant(LGA)group,and appropriate for gestational age infant(AGA)group.A Logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent influences on SGA delivery in patients with GDM to analyze the correlation between the TyG index and the occurrence of SGA.The predictive value of the TyG index in early pregnancy for SGA delivery in GDM patients was analyzed using ROC curves.Results The TyG index in the SGA group of GDM patients was significantly lower than that in the LGA,AGA and control without GDM group(P＜0.05).Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that the TyG index was independently correlated with the SGA in GDM patients(P＜0.05).The ROC curve analysis demonstrated a good predictive value of the TyG index in early gestation for SGA delivery in GDM patients(AUC=0.821,95%CI:0.763-0.879,P＜0.001).Conclusion The TyG index in early pregnancy among GDM patients is independently correlated with the occurrence of SGA infants and has a good predictive value for SGA delivery in GDM patients.

ObjectiveTo compare the safety and efficacy of penehyclidine hydrochloride （PHC） and atropine in modified electroconvulsive therapy （MECT） under general anesthesia， and to provide a reference for clinical preoperative medication of MECT. MethodsA total of 104 patients treated with MECT were randomly divided into observation group and control group， with 52 cases in each group. The observation group was given PHC， the control group was given atropine before operation and other anesthesia methods were the same. The changes of hemodynamic indexes， the content of oral secretions and the occurrence of adverse reactions within 48 hours after electrotherapy were observed， monitored and recorded. ResultsSystolic blood pressure （SBP）， diastolic blood pressure （DBP）， mean arterial pressure （map） and heart rate （HR） of the two groups increased significantly after electrical stimulation （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in hemodynamic indexes before and after drug injection in PHC group （P> 0.05）， and the HR increased significantly after drug injection in atropine group （P< 0.05）. The HR of atropine group after drug injection and electrical stimulation was significantly higher than that of PHC group （P< 0.05）， and there was no significant difference in blood pressure， the content of oral secretions and the occurrence of adverse reactions between the two groups （P > 0.05）. ConclusionCompared with atropine， the application of PHC in MECT has higher safety index， better effect of stabilizing hemodynamic indexes， and can be generalized clinically.

OBJECTIVE: To screen for aberrantly expressed genes in osteosarcoma cells and investigate the role of RHPN2 in regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and tumorigenic abilities of osteosarcoma cells. METHODS: We used GEO2R to analyze the differential gene expression profile between osteosarcoma cells and normal cells in the GSE70414 dataset. RTqPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect RHPN2 expression in osteosarcoma cell lines MG-63, 143B and SAOS2. Two RHPN2-shRNA and a control NC-shRNA were designed to silence the expression of RHPN2 in 143B cells, and CCK8 assay, colony-forming assay, annexin V-FITC/PI staining and scratch assays were carried out to examine the changes in proliferation, apoptosis and migration of the cells. We also established nude mouse models bearing osteosarcoma xenografts derived 143B cells and RHPN2-shRNA-transfected 143B cells, and assessed the effect of RHPN2 silencing on osteosarcoma cell tumorigenesis using HE staining. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze the correlation between RHPN2 expression and survival outcomes of patients with osteosarcoma. RESULTS: RHPN2 expression was significantly upregulated in osteosarcoma cell lines MG-63, 143B and SAOS2 (P < 0.01). Silencing of RHPN2 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of 143B cells in vitro, promoted cell apoptosis (P < 0.01), and suppressed tumorigenic capacity of the cells in nude mice. A high expression of RHPN2 was significantly correlated with a poor prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION RHPN2 is highly expressed in osteosarcoma cells to promote cell proliferation and migration and inhibits cell apoptosis. A high expression of RHPN2 is associated with a poorer prognosis of the patients with osteosarcoma.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bone Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/physiology* ; Cell Proliferation/physiology* ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Osteosarcoma/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*

【Objective】 To optimize the existing spin-EB method and promote human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) differentiate into megakaryocytes (MKs). 【Methods】 In this study, the initial inoculation amount of hiPSCs was increased from 3 500 cells/well to 8 000 cells/well, and the size of EB was increased. By observing the generation time of EB- hematopoietic cells during differentiation, and detecting the proliferation of CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells and CD41⁺ MKs in different stages, it was studied whether the optimized scheme could promote the differentiation of hiPSCs into hematopoietic progenitor cells(HPCs) and MKs. 【Results】 By increasing the initial inoculation amount of hiPSCs and the size of EB, the differentiation of hiPSCs into HPCs and MKs and the cell production efficiency can be promoted. 【Conclusion】 Our research describes an optimized and repeatable differentiation method, which can produce hematopoietic progenitor cells and mature MKs from hiPSCs in a relatively short time with higher yield. It is of great clinical significance and broad scientific research prospect to continuously optimize the culture scheme of hiPSCs differentiation to produce MKs and platelets in vitro, and to promote large-scale platelet generation in vitro in transfusion medicine.

Plastic surgeons did a lot of work to contribute to the development of microsurgery. This paper briefly reviewed the history of microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. In the 1950s, Plastic Surgery Hospital took the lead in carrying out animal experiment of microsurgery. In the 1980s, Professor Ruyao Song established a microsurgical laboratory in the hospital and a training program for young doctors, which has been lasted till now and many excellent microsurgeons used to receive the training program. Since then, microsurgery has been widely used and associated research has been performed. Generations of doctors pursued to innovate in the field of microsurgery, making microsurgical technique become the main reconstructive modality in Plastic Surgery Hospital. Those doctors made great contributions to the development of microsurgery in the world. This paper divided the research scope of the microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital into two parts as basic research and clinical research. Detailed historical events in both parts were reviewed.

Plastic surgeons did a lot of work to contribute to the development of microsurgery. This paper briefly reviewed the history of microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. In the 1950s, Plastic Surgery Hospital took the lead in carrying out animal experiment of microsurgery. In the 1980s, Professor Ruyao Song established a microsurgical laboratory in the hospital and a training program for young doctors, which has been lasted till now and many excellent microsurgeons used to receive the training program. Since then, microsurgery has been widely used and associated research has been performed. Generations of doctors pursued to innovate in the field of microsurgery, making microsurgical technique become the main reconstructive modality in Plastic Surgery Hospital. Those doctors made great contributions to the development of microsurgery in the world. This paper divided the research scope of the microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital into two parts as basic research and clinical research. Detailed historical events in both parts were reviewed.