Objective:To analyze the methylation characteristics of the lymphocyte-specific protein-tyrosine kinase (LCK) promoter region in the peripheral blood circulation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its correlation with clinical indicators.Methods:Targeted methylation sequencing was used to compare the methylation levels of 7 CpG sites in the LCK promoter region in the peripheral blood of RA patients with healthy controls (HC) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Correlation analysis and ROC curve construction were performed with clinical information.Results:Non-parametric tests revealed that compared with HC [0.53(0.50, 0.57)] and OA patients [0.59(0.54, 0.62), H=47.17, P<0.001], RA patients [0.63(0.59, 0.68)] exhibited an overall increase in methylation levels. Simultaneously, when compared with the HC group [0.38(0.35, 0.41), 0.59(0.55, 0.63), 0.60(0.55, 0.64), 0.59(0.55, 0.63), 0.58(0.53, 0.62), 0.45(0.43, 0.49), 0.57(0.54, 0.61)], the RA group [0.46(0.42, 0.49), 0.70(0.65, 0.75), 0.70(0.66, 0.76), 0.70(0.65, 0.75), 0.69(0.64, 0.74), 0.55(0.51, 0.59), 0.68(0.63, 0.73)] showed a significant elevation in methylation levels at CpG sites cg05350315_60, cg05350315_80, cg05350315_95, cg05350315_101, cg05350315_104, cg05350315_128, and cg05350315_142, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-5.63, -5.89, -5.91, -5.89, -5.98, -5.95, -5.95, all P<0.001). Compared with the OA group [0.65(0.59, 0.69), 0.65(0.60, 0.69), 0.64(0.58, 0.68), 0.50(0.45, 0.54), 0.63(0.58, 0.67)], the RA group [0.70(0.66, 0.76), 0.70(0.65, 0.75), 0.69(0.64, 0.74), 0.55(0.51, 0.59), 0.68(0.63, 0.73)] exhibited a significant increase in methylation levels at CpG sites cg05350315_95, cg05350315_101, cg05350315_104, cg05350315_128, and cg05350315_142, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-3.56, -3.52, -3.60, -3.67, -3.62; P=0.036, 0.042, 0.031, 0.030, 0.030). Furthermore, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed a positive correlation between the overall methylation level in this region and C-reactive protein (CRP) ( r=0.19, P=0.004) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r=0.14, P=0.035). The overall methylation level of the LCK promoter region in the CRP (low) group [0.63 (0.58, 0.68)] was higher than that in the CRP (high) group [0.65(0.61, 0.70)], with statistically significant differences ( Z=2.60, P=0.009). Finally, by constru-cting a ROC curve, the discriminatory efficacy of peripheral blood LCK promoter region methylation levels for identifying RA patients, especially seronegative RA patients, from HC and OA groups was validated, with an AUC value of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.93). Conclusion:This study provides insights into the methylation status and methylation haplotype patterns of the LCK promoter region in the peripheral blood of RA patients. The overall methylation level in this region is positively correlated with the level of inflammation and can be used to differentiate seronegative RA patients from the HC and OA patients.

Objective:To investigate the genetic causes in a phenotypically normal couple with three pregnancies of trisomy 21 offspring.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on a phenotypically normal couple who had three pregnancies with trisomy 21 syndrome offspring and were transferred to Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in December 2023. Genetic analysis was performed using quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR), karyotype analysis, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Relevant articles up to December 31, 2023, were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Database, Yiigle, and VIP using the terms "recurrent pregnancy", "consecutive pregnancy", "two pregnancies", and "trisomy 21 syndrome (Down syndrome)" in Chinese. Additionally, the English terms "recurrence or recurrent" "trisomy 21 syndrome" and "Down syndrome" were used to retrieve articles from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The genetic causes of recurrent pregnancies with trisomy 21 syndrome fetuses were analyzed and summarized. Results:(1) Case from this hospital: Results of QF-PCR, karyotype analysis, and CMA of amniotic fluid cells in this pregnancy all indicated that the fetus had trisomy 21 syndrome. FISH tests on oral mucosal cells, decidual tissue, and urine sediment cells of the pregnant woman all indicated that she was a mosaic for trisomy 21. Additionally, QF-PCR detection of short tandem repeat (STR) loci on chromosome 21 suggested that there might be gonad mosaicism in the pregnant women, and an extra chromosome 21 in the fetus was derived from gonad mosaicism 21 trisomic cells. (2) Literature review: A total of 13 case reports with detailed records of recurrent pregnancy trisomy 21 syndrome history and related test results of both partners were retrieved, making a total of 14 cases, including seven cases each with a history of 2 and 3 trisomy 21 pregnancies. Translocation trisomy 21 was detected in each pregnancy of two cases. Of the 14 cases, five cases were only detected by peripheral blood samples of the couple, and the results were normal. The other nine cases were also detected by skin fibroblasts (six cases), ovarian tissue cells (two cases), oral mucosa cells (two cases), semen (two cases), and urinary sediment cells (one case), among which six cases indicated that one of the parents was chimeric trisomy 21, and five cases were female chimerism, one case was male chimerism. Only two cases were found to have mosaic trisomy 21 in peripheral blood sample, and the chimerism ratio was lower than that of other samples detected at the same time. In five cases, the extra chromosome 21 was found to be of maternal origin through testing of STR loci on chromosome 21.Conclusions:Parental mosaicism is an important cause of recurrent pregnancies with trisomy 21 syndrome. Testing samples from skin, oral mucosa, blood, semen, and ovaries can help detect low-level mosaicism.

Cholesterol is an important precursor of many endogenous molecules. Disruption of cholesterol homeostasis can cause many pathological changes, leading to liver and cardiovascular diseases. CYP1A is widely involved in cholesterol metabolic network, but its exact function has not been fully elucidated. Here, we aim to explore how CYP1A regulates cholesterol homeostasis. Our data showed that CYP1A1/2 knockout (KO) rats presented cholesterol deposition in blood and liver. The serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol were significantly increased in KO rats. Further studies found that the lipogenesis pathway (LXRα-SREBP1-SCD1) of KO rats was activated, and the key protein of cholesterol ester hydrolysis (CES1) was inhibited. Importantly, lansoprazole can significantly alleviate rat hepatic lipid deposition in hypercholesterolemia models by inducing CYP1A. Our findings reveal the role of CYP1A as a potential regulator of cholesterol homeostasis and provide a new perspective for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a fetus with limb abnormality and cardiac malformation. METHODS: Clinical data of a fetus diagnosed at the Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital on April 30th, 2021 was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. X-inactivation analysis was carried out for the female members of its family. RESULTS: The fetus was found to have meningoencephalocele, absence of bilateral radii, cleft lip, abnormal great arteries, and single umbilical artery at the gestational age of 11+ weeks. Sequencing revealed that the fetus has harbored a hemizygous c.1162del (p.Y388Tfs*7) variant of the FANCB gene, which was maternally inherited. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and ClinGen, the variant was classified as pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PP4). X-inactivation analysis has revealed complete skewed X-inactivation in the pregnant woman and her mother. CONCLUSION The hemizygous c.1162del (p.Y388Tfs*7) variant of the FANCB gene probably underlay the multiple malformations in this fetus.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Abnormalities, Multiple ; Cleft Lip ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Mothers

ObjectiveLipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced zebrafish inflammation model was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of different extracts from Lianggesan （LGS） and its component Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma. MethodDifferent polar fractions of LGS and Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma were obtained by the principle of similar miscibility. For toxicity observation， the zebrafish （3 day-post-fertilization） was exposed to different concentrations of extracts for 24， 48 and 72 h. The yolk sac of the zebrafish was microinjected with 0.5 g·L^-1 LPS to establish the inflammation model， and then the embryos were soaked with different concentrations of extracts to observe their survival status at 72 h and the aggregation of neutrophils in yolk sac at 12 h after treatment. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to analyze the yolk sac of the zebrafish microinjected with LPS. Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to further investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of LGS and Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma. ResultThe toxicity of LGS and Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma was decreased with the increase of polarity， and the descending order was petroleum ether>ethyl acetate>n-butanol>water. Compared with model group， the extracts from different fractions of LGS and Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma prolonged the survival time of the zebrafish， and inhibited the recruitment and aggregation of neutrophils and decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the yolk sac， among which the water fraction of LGS and the ethyl acetate fraction of Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma had the most significant effect （P<0.01）. In addition， compared with model group， the water fraction of LGS and the ethyl acetate fraction of Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma down-regulated the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and suppressed the expression of toll like receptor 4 （TLR4） and nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） in LPS-stimulated zebrafish （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe extracts from different fractions of LGS and Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma exerted protective effects in LPS-induced zebrafish by inhibiting the TLR4 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Moreover， in zebrafish model， the method of administration by soaking was applicable to the high-throughput screening of anti-inflammatory Chinese medicine， which was suitable for the evaluation of anti-LPS activity of Chinese medicine and the different extracts.

Objective:To describe the real experience of the elderly who has felt happy during the time they stayed at nursing homes, and discuss the meaning which is behind their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide scientific basis for improving their subjective well-being.Methods:Qualitative explanatory phenomenological analysis methods, and semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to interview 21 elderly people living in Guangzhou Songhe Nursing Home. Data analysis and subject extraction were carried out with reference to the Colaizzi 7-step analysis.Results:The real experience of subjective well-being of the elderly in nursing homes has six themes: be satisfied with the nursing home management service, be satisfied with harmonious interpersonal relationship, be satisfied with good health, be satisfied with family support, grateful and expectations for the social support system, be satisfied with and grateful for the epidemic prevention work during the COVID-19 epidemic.Conclusions:The elderly who live in a nursing home with perfect management and service, care for each other, are healthy, receive family and social support, are grateful, and understand family and social support will be more likely to feel happy. Improving the subjective well-being of the elderly in nursing homes requires the coordination and support of nursing homes, the elderly, families, society and other aspects.

Membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs) are antimicrobials or anticarcinogens that present a general killing mechanism through the physical disruption of cell membranes, in contrast to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, which act on precise targets such as DNA or specific enzymes. Owing to their rapid action, broad-spectrum activity, and mechanisms of action that potentially hinder the development of resistance, MDPs have been increasingly considered as future therapeutics in the drug-resistant era. Recently, growing experimental evidence has demonstrated that MDPs can also be utilized as adjuvants to enhance the therapeutic effects of other agents. In this review, we evaluate the literature around the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and anticancer activity of MDPs, and summarize the current development and mechanisms of MDPs alone or in combination with other agents. Notably, this review highlights recent advances in the design of various MDP-based drug delivery systems that can improve the therapeutic effect of MDPs, minimize side effects, and promote the co-delivery of multiple chemotherapeutics, for more efficient antimicrobial and anticancer therapy.

Objective:In general, patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are considered to show an aggressive disease course. However, the relationship between the two subgroups in disease severity is controversial. Our study is aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of double-seropositive and seronegative RA in China through a real-world large scale study.Methods:RA patients who met the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria or the 2010 ACR/European Anti-Rheumatism Alliance RA classification criteria, and who attended the 10 hospitals across the country from September 2015 to January 2020, were enrolled. According to the serological status, patients were divided into 4 subgroups [rheumatoid factor (RF)(-) anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (-), RF(+), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+), anti-CCP antibody(+)] and compared the disease characteristics and treatment response. One-way analysis of variance was used for measurement data that conformed to normal distribution, Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for measurement data that did not conform to normal distribution; paired t test was used for comparison before and after treatment within the group if the data was normally distributed else paired rank sum test was used; χ2 test was used for count data. Results:① A total of 2 461 patients were included, including 1 813 RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (73.67%), 129 RF(+) patients (5.24%), 245 RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) patients (9.96%), 74 anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (11.13%). ② Regardless of the CCP status, RF(+) patients had an early age of onset [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (51±14) years old, anti-CCP antibody(+) (50±15) years old, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (48±14) years old, RF(+)(48±13) years old, F=3.003, P=0.029], longer disease duration [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 50 (20, 126) months, anti-CCP antibody(+) 60(24, 150) months, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 89(35, 179) months, RF(+) 83(25, 160) months, H=22.001, P<0.01], more joint swelling counts (SJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2(0, 6), Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 5), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 7), RF(+) 2(0, 6), H=8.939, P=0.03] and tender joint counts (TJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 3(0, 8), anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 3(1, 9), RF(+) 2(0, 8), H=11.341, P=0.01] and the morning stiff time was longer [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 30(0, 60) min, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(0, 60) min, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 30(10, 60) min, RF(+) 30(10, 60) min, H=13.32, P<0.01]; ESR [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 17(9, 38) mm/1 h, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(10, 35) mm/1 h, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 26(14, 45) mm/1 h, RF(+) 28(14, 50) mm/1 h, H=37.084, P<0.01] and CRP [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2.3 (0.8, 15.9) mm/L, Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2.7(0.7, 12.1) mm/L, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 5.2(1.3, 17.2) mm/L, RF (+) 5.2(0.9, 16.2) mm/L, H=22.141, P<0.01] of the RF(+)patients were significantly higher than RF(-) patients, and RF(+) patients had higher disease severity(DAS28-ESR) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (4.0±1.8), anti-CCP antibody(+) (3.8±1.6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (4.3±1.8), RF(+) (4.1±1.7), F=7.269, P<0.01]. ③ The RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients were divided into 4 subgroups, and it was found that RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L patients had higher disease severity [RF-H anti-CCP antibody-H 4.3(2.9, 5.6), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-L 4.5(3.0, 5.7), RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L 4.9(3.1, 6.2), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-H 2.8(1.8, 3.9), H=20.374, P<0.01]. ④ After 3-month follow up, the clinical characteristics of the four groups were improved, but there was no significant difference in the improvement of the four groups, indicating that the RF and anti-CCP antibody status did not affect the remission within 3 months. Conclusion:Among RA patients, the disease activity of RA patients is closely related to RF and the RF(+) patients have more severe disease than RF(-) patients. Patients with higher RF titer also have more severe disease than that of patients with low RF titer. After 3 months of medication treatment, the antibody status does not affect the disease remission rate.

Objective:To summarize the experience of respiratory management in 20 cases of fetuses diagnosed with prenatal malformations undergoing ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) surgery.Methods:From 2016 to 2018, 20 cases of fetuses undergoing EXIT surgery were admitted to our hospital, including five cases of maxillofacial lymphangioma, four cases of cervical teratoma, three cases of lung cystadenoma, five cases of pleural effusion, and three cases of isolated lung.The fetal anesthesia was through maternal anesthesia.After the fetal head was delivered, the placental circulation was maintained.All cases were established with artificial laryngoscopy by visual laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.The blood oxygen saturation and heart rate of the fetuses were recorded before and after intubation.After successful intubation, the umbilical cord was broken and the fetal arterial blood gas was drawn.Immediately, the neonatal surgery was performed in the delivery room, with 3 to 5 cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa) PEEP for respiratory support, and blood gas analysis during the operation were collected.After surgery, newborns were transferred to NICU. Results:(1) The 20 cases of fetal anesthesia under placenta maintenance, maternal 1.5 MAC sevoflurane inhalation anesthesia with remifentanil pumping, fetal oxygen saturation can be maintained at (51.5±4.7)%, fetal heart rate (155.3± 11.34) times/min; (2) The completion time of tracheal intubation of 20 fetuses was (24.20±3.43)s, the time of glottal exposure was (3.20 ±1.12)s, and the success rate of one intubation was 90% (18/20), of which two cases were exposed to glottis difficult, successful after two tracheal intubation; (3) The use of 3 to 5 cmH 2O PEEP to support the high-frequency positive pressure ventilation mode can provide good oxygenation[SpO 2 (92.10±3.34)%] during the neonatal surgery, the length of hospital stay of the fetus was (15.0±3.2) d, and ventilator duration time was (3.0±1.2) d. Postoperative complications included four cases of pneumonia and two cases of atelectasis. Conclusion:(1) Avoiding excessive deep anesthesia of mother, maintain the placental circulation effectively, providing good oxygenation before artificial airway establishment and providing effective anesthesia for the fetus are important in EXIT; (2) The visual laryngoscope shortens the intubation time, and the glottis is well exposed, which can increase the oxygenation index of the newborn after the umbilical cord is broken; (3) The high-frequency ventilation mode supported by PEEP can provide good oxygenation for newborns during surgery.

In recent years, the clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been constantly updated. Among the general principles, it is particularly emphasized that, in order to improve the ratio of treat to target(T2T) of RA, doctors and patients should work together to negotiate the details of the guidelines. Therefore, it is important for patients to further understand the disease and clinical guidelines of RA, and to better cooperate with doctors. This study was based on the most concerned issues of RA patients and international standard procedure of guideline study, we organized the working group and introduce the following 16 recommendations constituting the RA patients′ practice guidelines.