Exposure to ionizing radiation intervenes in genomic stability and gene expression,resulting in the disruption of normal metabolic processes in cells and organs by causing complex biolog-ical responses.Altered genomic variations,gene expression and metabolite concentrations in blood or tissue samples reflect systemic radiation damage.With the application of new techniques and exten-sive study on the mechanisms for ionizing radiation damage,related indicators such as chromosomal variation,gene expression,lipid and metabolism are being recognized and promise to be the markers for early diagnosis and prognosis of radiation exposure.Therefore,this article reviews recent progress in and potential applications of biomarkers related to ionizing radiation injury.

Objective:To study the clinical and immunological features of two case of rare antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), so as to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment.Methods:Two cases with rare antisynthetase syndrome admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2020 to August 2022 were collected.Results:The two rare ASS were anti-Zo antibody and anti-Ha antibody positive patients, both of which had interstitial lung disease (ILD) as the main clinical manifestation and positive anti-Ro52 antibody. Two rare antisynthetase autoantibodies manifested cytoplasmic ANA indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) staining pattern, but it is different from the cytoplasmic dense speckled pattern of several common ASS antibodies. After treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, case 1 died of respiratory failure due to a long course of disease and late diagnosis, the lung lesions of case 2 improved significantly.Conclusion:When encountering the cytoplasmic ANA fluorescent pattern in ILD patients, especially with anti-Ro52 antibody, it is necessary to screen more myositis specific antibodies to rule out the possibility of rare ASS.

Objective:To construct the quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients and test its reliability and validity.Methods:Referring to the group standards in Specification of Management for Humanistic Caring in Outpatients released by the China Association for Life Care,as well as relevant guidelines and literature,a pool of items for the quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients was formed.After expert consultation and expert argumentation,a quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients was constructed.From January to February 2024,243 hospital managers from 5 hospitals in Zhengzhou were selected as survey subjects to conduct item analysis,and reliability and validity testing on the scale.Results:Two rounds of expert inquiry and two rounds of expert argumentation were conducted,with questionnaire response rates of 92.00%and 100.00%,respectively,and expert authority coefficients of 0.952.In the second round of the expert inquiry scale,the mean importance score of the first-level indicators was 4.80 to 5.00,the full score ratio was 88.00%to 100.00%,the coefficient of variation was 0.04 to 0.17,and Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.857(P＜0.001);the mean importance score of the second-level indicators was 4.60 to 5.00,the full score ratio was 80.00%to 100.00%,the coefficient of variation was 0.00 to 0.21,and Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.775(P＜0.001);the mean importance score of the third-level indicators was 4.60 to 5.00,the full score ratio was 76.00%to 100.00%,the coefficient of variation was 0.00 to 0.21,and Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.830(P＜0.001).Finally,a quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients was formed,including 5 first-level indicators,25 second-level indicators,and 58 third-level indicators.Exploratory factor analysis produced 5 common factors with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 74.628%.The Pearson correlation coefficients between the five-factor scores ranged from 0.648 to 0.798,and the correlation coefficients between the factor scores and the total score of the scale ranged from 0.784 to 0.938.The scale-level content validity index(S-CVI)of the scale was 0.945,the item-content validity index(I-CVI)was 0.725 to 1.000,the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total scale was 0.973,and the retest reliability coefficient was 0.934.Conclusion:The constructed quality evaluation scale of specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients has good scientific validity and reliability,and can be used as an evaluation tool for specification of management for humanistic caring in outpatients.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Objective:To investigate the clinical, genetic, and clonality related aspects of individuals with Richter transformation (RT) .Methods:From January 2019 to December 2021, 18 RT patients with diagnoses at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Pukou CLL center) were retrospectively examined. The immunoglobin heavy variable (IGHV) gene usage and IGHV-D-J rearrangement pattern of diagnosed CLL/SLL and transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were compared to determine the clonality relatedness. To investigate the risk factors of RT, Clinical and laboratory data from patients with newly diagnosed CLL/SLL and transformed DLBCL were gathered.Results:The median age of RT was 56.5 (41-75) years old. 17 patients transformed to DLBCL and 1 transformed to Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) . Of 17 individuals who had DLBCL transformation, 15 had CLL/SLL-related clonality and 2 had unrelated clonality. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of 11 paired initially diagnosed treatment-naive CLL/SLL and RT DLBCL found that EGR2、TP53 and NOTCH1 were among the most frequently mutated genes both in treatment-naive CLL/SLL and in RT DLBCL. In several cases, specific mutations were gained or lost throughout RT, indicating clonal evolution. Among 10 patients before exposure to BTK inhibitors before RT, four patients acquired BTK mutation. The aforementioned mutations should be considered high-risk variables for transformation; in addition, TP53 and EGR2 mutations could be linked to a poor prognosis following RT in patients receiving a cocktail of new medicines.Conclusion:Most RT DLBCL patients in our center are clonality related (15/17, 88.2% ) and we recommend all qualified centers to evaluate clonality relatedness of RT DLBCL patients. There was some variability in the mutational landscape between DLBCL that had undergone a transformation and initially diagnosed, treatment-naive CLL/SLL. The underlying molecular mechanism of RT needs more research.

Objective:To study clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN).Methods:The clinical data of 46 RA patients with PN in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2012 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging results, previous treatment, treatment and clinical outcome. The other 92 RA patients without PN at the same period were selected as controls.Results:In RA patients with PN, the male to female ratio was 1∶2.1 with an average age (59.1±11.8) years. The course of RA and PN was 102.0 (19.0-156.0) months and 4.2 (0.7-5.5) months respectively. Numbness (84.8%, 39/46) and muscle weakness (21.7%, 10/46) were the most common symptoms. According to results of electromyography, polyneuropathy (60.0%, 27/46) was the predominant manifestation, followed by mononeuritis multiplex (31.1%, 14/46). Compared to RA patients, rheumatoid factor (RF) ( P<0.001) and the percentage of cutaneous vasculitis ( P=0.042) were higher in RA patients with PN. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant correlation between RF>178.4 IU/ml ( OR＝5.626, 95% CI 2.509-12.618, P<0.001) and development of PN. Paresthesia in 27 patients (58.7%, 27/46) were relieved after treatment of high dose glucocorticoid and immunoglobulins (IVIG). Twelve patients were followed up regularly and the mean duration of follow-up was 17.0(4.8-52.8)months. Paresthesia in 10 (10/12) patients were relieved compared to that at discharge, 1 (1/12) patient achieved complete remission. Conclusion:Numbness and muscle weakness are the common symptoms in RA patients with PN and polyneuropathy is the main type. RF>178.4 IU/ml is correlated with the development of PN in RA patients. Intensive treatment such as high dose glucocorticoid and IVIG are effective.

Lycophytes and seed plants constitute the typical vascular plants. Lycophytes have been thought to have no paleo-polyploidization although the event is known to be critical for the fast expansion of seed plants. Here, genomic analyses including the homologous gene dot plot analysis detected multiple paleo-polyploidization events, with one occurring approximately 13-15 million years ago (MYA) and another about 125-142 MYA, during the evolution of the genome of Selaginella moellendorffii, a model lycophyte. In addition, comparative analysis of reconstructed ancestral genomes of lycophytes and angiosperms suggested that lycophytes were affected by more paleo-polyploidization events than seed plants. Results from the present genomic analyses indicate that paleo-polyploidization has contributed to the successful establishment of both lineages-lycophytes and seed plants-of vascular plants.
Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Plant ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; Polyploidy ; Selaginellaceae/genetics*

Objective:To compare the performance and surgical outcomes of disposable digital flexible ureteroscope with a reusable fiberoptic flexible ureteroscope in treatment of upper urinary stones.Methods:A prospective, multicenter, single-blind and randomized controlled study was performed from April 2018 to December 2018. Eligible patients were randomized, in a ratio of 1∶1, to either experimental group or control group. The inclusion criteria for the study were: aged 18-60 years, solitary upper urinary stone or multiple stones with stone size less than 2 cm, absence of urinary tract infection (UTI) or UTI was controlled, normal liver and renal function. Exclusion criteria included: patients with congenital anomalies, calyceal diverticular stone, IP angle less than 30°, renal insufficiency. pregnancy or lactation, cardiopulmonary function abnormality and coagulation abnormalities. Patients in experimental group received ureteroscopy through a disposable digital flexible ureteroscope (PU3022A, PUSEN), while patients in control group received ureteroscopy through a reusable fiberoptic flexible ureteroscope (Flex-X2, STORZ). The primary endpoint was the high-quality rate of images during the operation. The secondary endpoints included success rate of fragmentation and postoperative complication rates.Results:93 patients were recruited, and 90 of them were finally complete the study (i.e., 45 patients in each group). The demographic and preoperative parameters were comparable between the two groups except the stone size in patients with solitary stone. The high-quality rate of images was significantly higher in experiment group than that in control group (100.0% vs. 15.6%, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in terms of success rate of fragmentation(68.9% vs. 71.1%, P=0.818), hemoglobin dropped (3.91 g/L vs. 3.62 g/L, P=0.880), serum creatinine changed, and postoperative complication rates(6.7% vs.6.7%, P=1.000). Conclusions:Disposable digital flexible ureteroscope achieves similar surgical outcomes to the reusable fiberoptic flexible ureteroscope with a better quality of endoscopic images.

Objective To study the possible mechanisms,efficacy and safety of acetaminophen and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on promoting the closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.Method From January 2016 to May 2018,preterm infants (gestational age＜34 weeks) with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unitwere enrolled prospectively.15 mg/kg of acetaminophen was orally given every 6 hours for three days (acetaminophen group).If acetaminophen was contraindicated (PRP group) or acetaminophen therapy failed (PRP rescue group),PRP transfusion was given at a single dose of 20 ml/kg.Echocardiogram,platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) and urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were examined before and 72 hours after treatment.The data were analyzed using ANOVA,student's t test,Kruskal-Wallis H method and chi-square test.Result A total of 70 cases were enrolled.61 cases were treated with acetaminophen.The success rate (67.2％,41/61) was similar to PRP group (6/9) (P=1.000),and significantly higher than PRP rescue group (6/17) (P=0.017).The complications in acetaminophen group included 22 cases of hyperbilirubinemia (36.1％),5 cases of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (8.2％),4 cases of positive fecal occult blood test (6.6％),3 cases of oliguria (4.9％),1 case of Grade Ⅲ ～ Ⅳ intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (1.6％),and 1 case of≥ Ⅱ stage necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (1.6％).A total of 3 cases of hyperbilirubinemia were in PRP group.One case of hyperbilirubinemia,one oliguria,one Grade Ⅲ～ Ⅳ IVH and one ≥ Ⅱ stage NEC were in PRP rescue group.The urinary PGE2 level in post-treatment was lower than pre-treatment in acetaminophen group (t=6.878,P＜0.001).The blood platelet count and PDGF level in post-treatment were higher than pre-treatment in PRP group (t=-2.496,-8.906;P=-0.037,＜0.001) and PRP rescue group (t=-3.374,-2.503;P=0.004,0.024).Conclusion Oral acetaminophen and PRP transfusion had similar efficacy in promoting the closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.If oral acetaminophen was contraindicated or failed,PRP transfusion could be one of the candidates for rescue therapy to promote the closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.