Objective:To compare the efficacy of the detection kit based on MicroDrop microdroplet digital PCR platform that can identify mycoplasma pneumonia and common drug-resistance mutation,and throughout targeted next-generation sequencing(tNGS)in detecting common drug-resistance mutations of mycoplasma pneumonia.Methods:A total of 300 samples of clinical respiratory tract of pneumonia inpatients at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between 2023 and 2024 were collected.Both the detection kit for drug-resistance mutation of mycoplasma pneumoniae and the tNGS method were employed to detect drug-resistance mutation genes.For samples with inconsistent results,Sanger sequencing was used for verification.Results:For the 300 samples,the detection rates of positive mycoplasma pneumonia of the detection kit for drug-resistance mutation of mycoplasma pneumoniae and the tNGS method were respectively 87.00%and 78.67%,with a Kappa value of 0.711,indicating a relatively high level of agreement between the two methods.Among 25 samples with inconsistent results,Sanger sequencing was employed for validation.The results revealed that for samples with low-frequency gene mutations,the reagent kit maintained reliable detection capability,whereas tNGS exhibited missed detections.Thus,the reagent kit demonstrates superior performance in detecting low-frequency mutation samples.Conclusion:The detection rate of low-frequency mutation samples by the digital PCR-based mycoplasma pneumoniae drug-resistance mutation detection kit is higher than that of the tNGS method.This approach helps enhance the accuracy of detection results,providing a rapid and precise means of detecting drug-resistance genes for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of clinical manifestations in children with KBG syndrome due to microdeletions.Methods:A retrospective case summary was conducted. Four children diagnosed with KBG syndrome due to 16q24.3 microdeletion at Children′s Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2021 to April 2024 were enrolled.Their clinical manifestations, biochemical parameters, imaging data, whole-exome sequencing results, treatments and follow-up outcomes were reviewed.Results:The cohort included two males and two females (diagnosed at 81, 18, 26, and 56 months of age, respectively), from four unrelated families. All patients exhibited peculiar facial features (Cupid′s bowed-shaped lips, prominent ears, thick eyebrows), skeletal abnormalities (brachydactyly, abnormal ribs, short stature, etc.), ocular anomalies (astigmatism, strabismus, amblyopia, etc.), intrauterine growth restriction, and developmental retardation. Case 2, 3, 4 had cranial imaging abnormalities, including thin anterior pituitary lobes with pineal cyst, left ventricular cyst, and abnormal pituitary stalk or lateral ventricles with sinusitis, respectively. Two children had intellectual disability, two had congenital heart disease, and one had delayed bone age and hair abnormalities. Whole exome genomic sequencing confirmed 16q24.3 microdeletions encompassing ANKRD11 gene in all four cases. Two children treated with recombinant human growth hormone achieved height increments of 1.5 s and 0.4 s, respectively. Conclusions:Typical features of 16q24.3 microdeletion-induced KBG syndrome include peculiar facial features, macrodontia, skeletal anomalies, neurological abnormalities, and ocular defects. Genetic testing is essential for definitive diagnosis. The treatment of KBG syndrome requires early diagnosis and multidisciplinary collaboration to implement individualized treatment for multisystem symptoms.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of the detection kit based on MicroDrop microdroplet digital PCR platform that can identify mycoplasma pneumonia and common drug-resistance mutation,and throughout targeted next-generation sequencing(tNGS)in detecting common drug-resistance mutations of mycoplasma pneumonia.Methods:A total of 300 samples of clinical respiratory tract of pneumonia inpatients at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between 2023 and 2024 were collected.Both the detection kit for drug-resistance mutation of mycoplasma pneumoniae and the tNGS method were employed to detect drug-resistance mutation genes.For samples with inconsistent results,Sanger sequencing was used for verification.Results:For the 300 samples,the detection rates of positive mycoplasma pneumonia of the detection kit for drug-resistance mutation of mycoplasma pneumoniae and the tNGS method were respectively 87.00%and 78.67%,with a Kappa value of 0.711,indicating a relatively high level of agreement between the two methods.Among 25 samples with inconsistent results,Sanger sequencing was employed for validation.The results revealed that for samples with low-frequency gene mutations,the reagent kit maintained reliable detection capability,whereas tNGS exhibited missed detections.Thus,the reagent kit demonstrates superior performance in detecting low-frequency mutation samples.Conclusion:The detection rate of low-frequency mutation samples by the digital PCR-based mycoplasma pneumoniae drug-resistance mutation detection kit is higher than that of the tNGS method.This approach helps enhance the accuracy of detection results,providing a rapid and precise means of detecting drug-resistance genes for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of clinical manifestations in children with KBG syndrome due to microdeletions.Methods:A retrospective case summary was conducted. Four children diagnosed with KBG syndrome due to 16q24.3 microdeletion at Children′s Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2021 to April 2024 were enrolled.Their clinical manifestations, biochemical parameters, imaging data, whole-exome sequencing results, treatments and follow-up outcomes were reviewed.Results:The cohort included two males and two females (diagnosed at 81, 18, 26, and 56 months of age, respectively), from four unrelated families. All patients exhibited peculiar facial features (Cupid′s bowed-shaped lips, prominent ears, thick eyebrows), skeletal abnormalities (brachydactyly, abnormal ribs, short stature, etc.), ocular anomalies (astigmatism, strabismus, amblyopia, etc.), intrauterine growth restriction, and developmental retardation. Case 2, 3, 4 had cranial imaging abnormalities, including thin anterior pituitary lobes with pineal cyst, left ventricular cyst, and abnormal pituitary stalk or lateral ventricles with sinusitis, respectively. Two children had intellectual disability, two had congenital heart disease, and one had delayed bone age and hair abnormalities. Whole exome genomic sequencing confirmed 16q24.3 microdeletions encompassing ANKRD11 gene in all four cases. Two children treated with recombinant human growth hormone achieved height increments of 1.5 s and 0.4 s, respectively. Conclusions:Typical features of 16q24.3 microdeletion-induced KBG syndrome include peculiar facial features, macrodontia, skeletal anomalies, neurological abnormalities, and ocular defects. Genetic testing is essential for definitive diagnosis. The treatment of KBG syndrome requires early diagnosis and multidisciplinary collaboration to implement individualized treatment for multisystem symptoms.

Background Per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are categorized as persistent organic pollutants and commonly detected in humans, and their toxicity has attracted widespread attention. However, few studies have reported comparison of PFAS levels and potential factors between women pregnant using assisted reproduction technology (ART) and women pregnant naturally. Objective To analyze and compare serum concentrations and sociodemographic determinants of PFAS in pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally from Shanghai. Methods Based on the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) in Shanghai from 2017 to 2019, 333 pregnant women conceiving through ART and 689 pregnant women conceiving naturally were recruited during the same period as study subjects. The concentrations of 32 PFAS were measured in early-pregnancy serum of all pregnant women, and four PFAS with the highest co-exposure levels in both groups were included in the subsequent analysis. Multiple linear regression models were performed to evaluate the associations of sociodemographic factors with serum PFAS concentrations in the two groups respectively. Beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were exponentiated to calculate the ratio of the geometric mean (GM) of PFAS concentrations after each unit change in the independent variable. Results Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 6∶2 chlorinated polyfluoroethersulfonic acid (6∶2 Cl-PFESA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) were four major PFAS in serum of pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally, and the concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, and 6∶2 Cl-PFESA were higher in pregnant women conceiving through ART than in pregnant women conceiving naturally (P <0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that age at pregnancy and household income were associated with serum PFAS levels in both groups. The serum concentrations of PFOS were higher in pregnant women aged ≥35 years old who conceiving through ART (GM ratio=1.26, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.54) and conceiving naturally (GM ratio=1.24, 95%CI: 1.08, 1.42) than pregnant women aged <30 years old respectively. Pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally whose household annual income >300000 CNY had lower serum concentrations of PFOA [GM ratio (95%CI): 0.82 (0.72, 0.95) and 0.89 (0.81, 0.97), respectively] and PFHxS [GM ratio (95%CI): 0.66 (0.51, 0.86) and 0.77 (0.66, 0.90), respectively] than those women whose household annual income <200000 CNY. Additionally, pregnant women conceiving naturally with a graduate education or above had lower serum 6∶2 Cl-PFESA concentrations than women with an education below college (GM ratio: 0.81), and multiparous pregnant women conceiving naturally had higher serum concentrations of PFOS, 6∶2 Cl-PFESA, and PFHxS than primiparous pregnant women (GM ratio: 1.14, 1.25, and 1.27 respectively). Conclusion Although differences in serum PFAS levels are found between pregnant women conceiving through ART and women conceiving naturally in this study, maternal age and household income are common determinants of PFAS exposure levels in both populations. We find no special sociodemographic factors to affect PFAS concentrations of pregnant women conceiving through ART compared to pregnant women conceiving naturally. Further research is required to explore other potential factors.

With wide applications of radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer and other diseases and amid the in-creasing concerns about global nuclear safety,the research and development of drugs against radiation damage has become a hot spot.Thanks to its high energy properties,ionizing radiation can not only directly damage cell DNA through targeted effects,but also indirectly affect the cell environment through non-targeted effects,leading to cell dysfunction and even death.In this paper,the mechanism of ionizing radiation damage was analyzed,and the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of four types of anti-radiation drugs,namely,antioxidant,apoptosis inhibitor,cytokine and natural radiation protection agent were discussed.These drugs have huge implications for alleviating the targeted and non-targeted effects caused by ionizing radiation.

Rapid turnover of the intestinal epithelium is a critical strategy to balance the uptake of nutrients and defend against environmental insults, whereas inappropriate death promotes the spread of inflammation. PPARα is highly expressed in the small intestine and regulates the absorption of dietary lipids. However, as a key mediator of inflammation, the impact of intestinal PPARα signaling on cell death pathways is unknown. Here, we show that Pparα deficiency of intestinal epithelium up-regulates necroptosis signals, disrupts the gut vascular barrier, and promotes LPS translocation into the liver. Intestinal Pparα deficiency drives age-related hepatic steatosis and aggravates hepatic fibrosis induced by a high-fat plus high-sucrose diet (HFHS). PPARα levels correlate with TRIM38 and MLKL in the human ileum. Inhibition of PPARα up-regulates necroptosis signals in the intestinal organoids triggered by TNF-α and LPS stimuli via TRIM38/TRIF and CREB3L3/MLKL pathways. Butyric acid ameliorates hepatic steatosis induced by intestinal Pparα deficiency through the inhibition of necroptosis. Our data suggest that intestinal PPARα is essential for the maintenance of microenvironmental homeostasis and the spread of inflammation via the gut-liver axis.

Objective:To analyze clinical significance of peripheral blood neutrophil CD64(nCD64)index in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis(AAV).Methods:The clinical data of 98 AAV patients admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from February 1,2023 to February 29,2024 were retrospectively selected,and they were divided into the high-value group(nCD64 index＞1.82,28 patients)and the normal-value group(nCD64 index≤1.82,70 patients)based on the nCD64 index.Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA)-anticoagulated venous blood specimens were collected from patients in both groups,and the mean fluorescence intensity of CD64 expression on the surfaces of polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMN),lymphocytes(Lym)and monocytes(Mo)was detected by flow cytometry.Clinical manifestations,relevant examination data of hospital,and survival situation of patients with regular follow-up were compared between the two groups.Results:Spearman correlation analysis showed that peripheral blood nCD64 index was positively correlated with Birmingham vasculitis activity score(BVAS)in AAV patients(r=0.216,P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in white blood cells(109/L),blood creatinine(μmol/L),CD8+lymphocytes(amount/μl),CD3-CD16+CD56+lymphocytes(amount/μl),blood sedimentation and interleukin 6 between the two groups.The mean values of BVAS,neutrophils(109/L),CD8+CD28-lymphocytes(％)were respectively(14.96±8.62),(7.51±4.56),(22.16±13.28)in high-value group,which were significantly higher than those[(11.88±7.39),(6.32±3.60)and(17.32±11.27)]in normal-value group,and the mean values of lymphocytes(109/L),platelets(109/L),hemoglobin(g/L),CD3+lymphocytes(amount/Al),CD4+lymphocytes(amount/μl),CD8+CD28+lymphocytes(％)were respectively(1.52±1.01),(216.84±92.32),(106.26±21.99),(1401.15±658.22),(618.43±420.50)and(12.43±5.98)in high-value group,which were significantly lower than those[(1.98±0.95),(248.20±97.21),(114.30±24.71),(1815.43±657.29),(969.15±385.72)and(15.77±7.66)]in normal-value group,and the differences of them between two groups were statistically significant(t=-2.68,-2.04,-2.54,3.25,2.26,2.34,2.02,2.84,3.02,P＜0.05),respectively.Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein of high-value group were higher than those of normal-value group,and eosinophils of high-value group were lower than that of normal-value group,and the differences of them between two groups were statistically significant(Z=-3.370,-2.396,-4.462,P＜0.05),respectively.Conclusions:Peripheral blood nCD64 index is positively correlated with BVAS in AAV patients,which involve in multiple immune cells and inflammatory factors.It has clinically application value in monitoring the disease progression and assessing the prognosis.

Objective:To comprehensively understand the operational status and existing problems of the neurosurgery professional training bases for standardized residency training in Guangdong Province.Methods:According to the scoring rules of "Standardized Residency Training Evaluation Indicators—Surgery (Neurosurgery) Professional Base" formulated by the Post-Graduation Medical Education Neurosurgery Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, 28 training bases were supervised and evaluated. The scoring results of the supervision of 28 neurosurgery training bases were collected, and the training bases were divided into two categories according to the traditional teaching history, 6 affiliated hospitals of traditional medical schools and 22 non-traditional affiliated/teaching hospitals. GraphPad 5.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the 14 core indicators, and t-test, variance analysis and Chi-square test were used for analysis. Results:The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the compliance rate of 14 core indicators between traditional teaching hospitals and non-traditional teaching hospitals ( P = 0.003), skill operation and type and number of surgeries ( P = 0.041) and student rotation plan ( P = 0.012). The differences were also statistically significant. Conclusion:This study reveals that the comprehensive management ability of training bases in traditional teaching hospitals is significantly better than that in non-traditional teaching hospitals. Additionally, it's suggested to strengthen the construction of professional bases, enhance the institutionalized management of bases, and thus realize the homogenization training of neurosurgery residents.

Per-and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants that are widespread in the environment and organisms. Given their unique hydrophobicity, oil-repellence, and chemical stability, PFASs are widely used in various industrial and commercial products. PFASs can accumulate and be biomagnified through the food chain, and its toxic effects have posed a certain threat to human health. The response of the immune system to PFASs exposure is one of the most sensitive human health effects, and has attracted remarkable attention from related scientists and organizations. We summarized international and domestic epidemiological studies on the associations between exposure to PFASs and immune system, including immunosuppression and immunoenhancement. We also reviewed experimental evidence of PFASs on immune system from perspectives of immune organs, immune cells, and cytokines. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α)-dependent, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-activated, and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways were summarized. While the relationships between PFASs and immune-related diseases in human are not yet conclusive, accumulative epidemiological studies provide evidence for associations between PFASs and reduced immune response to vaccination in children. In addition, previous studies mainly focus on the immunotoxicity of traditional PFASs, and our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the effects of PFASs on immune system is still in its infancy. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore the immunotoxicity of new PFASs and associated mechanism.