Lower-cost genotyping technology has promoted the generation of large genetic datasets with the evolving next-generation sequencing technology. The emergence of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has facilitated researchers’ understanding of common complex diseases. GWAS refers to finding the sequence variations present in the human genome and screening out disease-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNPs are considered as the basis for assessing the stability of complex diseases. However, a single variation is not sufficient to assess an individual’s risk of disease. Polygenic risk score (PRS) is an emerging genetic data analysis method for quantitatively estimating an individual’s genetic risk for complex diseases by comprehensively considering multiple genetic variation sites. A single-value estimate of an individual’s genetic risk for a certain phenotype can be calculated as the cumulative impact of multiple genetic variants by building a PRS model. The finally expected risk score is weighted by the strength and direction of association of each SNP with the phenotype based on the number of alleles carried by each SNP. With the continuous development of various PRS calculation methods and the constant accumulation of genomic data, PRS has received widespread attention in the field of genetics. So far, quite a few studies at home and abroad have shown that PRS is valuable in risk prediction of different types of human traits or complex diseases, and its effectiveness has been further verified in clinical applications. At present, many studies have established PRS models based on GWAS summary statistics to quantify the genetic risk of susceptibility loci and clinical characteristics on diseases such as lung cancer, breast cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The disease-susceptible populations can be recognized through comparing the relative risk and absolute risk of the disease in different risk groups according to the population risk stratification results. Additionally, individual-level genotype data and omics data can also be used as data sources for PRS analysis research, especially the latter can dynamically reflect the short-term or long-term effects of environmental factors on human gene expression, and has potential application value in building early warning models to assess health risks. Since the calculation of PRS involves a large amount of genomic data analysis, there are big differences in the methods for data selection, model building and validation. Different PRS construction methods and software have different performances in disease risk prediction, and even the performance of same algorithm varies across diseases. It is worth noting that the PRS model often needs to be re-evaluated and verified for different groups of people, because PRS is affected by race and region. This review combines currently published PRS-related research and algorithms to describe the basic principles of PRS, compares their construction and verification methods, and discusses their applications and prospects. As a powerful genetic risk assessment tool, PRS has great potential in analyzing the genetic code of complex diseases and achieving precise diagnosis and personalized treatment.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)combined with serum Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 1(SMURF1)detection for thyroid cancer.Methods A total of 144 suspected thyroid cancer patients admitted to Lishui branch of Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from February 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects.Based on the histopathological results,they were divided into the thyroid cancer group(76 cases)and the benign group(68 cases).All patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination and serum SMURF1 level detection;the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters,serum SMURF1 detection alone,and the combination of the two methods for thyroid cancer were analyzed.Results Contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters peak intensity(PI),mean perfusion intensity(SImean)and maximum perfusion intensity(SImax)in the thyroid cancer group were lower than those in the benign group,and the level of SMURF1 mRNA was higher than that in the benign group(P<0.05).The sensitivity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameter SImax in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was 82.89%,the specificity was 72.06%,the accuracy was 77.78%,and the Kappa value was 0.552.The sensitivity of serum SMURF1 in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was 65.79%,the specificity was 94.12%,the accuracy was 79.17%,and the Kappa value was 0.589.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and Kappa value of SImax combined with serum SMURF1 in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer were 97.37%,85.29%,91.67%and 0.832,respectively,which were higher than those of SImax and SMURF1 alone(P<0.05),the AUC of the combination of the two methods was 0.927,which was significantly higher than that of the two methods alone(Zcombined vs.SImax=3.999,P<0.001;Zcombined vs.SMURF1=3.270,P=0.001).Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with serum SMURF1 detection can improve the diagnostic efficiency of thyroid cancer,which may avoid the over-diagnosis on the premise of ensuring the effective diagnosis of thyroid cancer patients.

Objective To explore the effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo recipe on pulmonary microvascular injury in mice with scleroderma based on mitophagy.Methods Fifty mice were randomly divided into blank control group(0.9％NaCl,by gavage),control group(0.9％NaCl,by gavage),model group,Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo recipe group(47mg·kg-1·d-1 Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo recipe by gavage),positive control group(10 mg·kg-1·d-1 KC7F2 dissolved in phosphate buffer solution intraperitoneal injection),continuous administration for 4 weeks.The expression levels of in vitro membrane translocation enzyme 20(TOMM20),hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),B cell lymphoma-2/adenovirus E1B-19 kDa interacting protein 3(BNIP3),PTEN inducible muscle enzyme protein 1(PINK1)and E3 ubiquitin ligase(Parkin)in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Western blot(WB)was used to detect the expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins(TOMM20,LC3B)and HIF-1α/BNIP3/PINK1/Parkin pathway proteins in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells.Results The relative content of HIF-1α in microvascular endothelial cells of lung tissue in the control group,model group,Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo recipe group and positive control group were 0.17±0.02,0.98±0.01,0.66±0.03 and 0.48±0.01;the relative content of BNIP3 were 0.40±0.02,0.74±0.01,0.56±0.01 and 0.60±0.02;the relative content of PINK1 were 0.26±0.04,0.88±0.01,0.65±0.02 and 0.67±0.02;the relative contents of Parkin were 0.33±0.02,0.89±0.01,0.65±0.02 and 0.77±0.02;the relative contents of TOMM20 were 1.10±0.02,0.58±0.01,1.02±0.01 and 0.98±0.03;the relative contents of LC3B-Ⅰ/LC3B-Ⅱ were 0.24±0.01,0.80±0.01,0.53±0.02 and 0.70±0.02,respectively.The content of HIF-1α,BNIP3,PINK1,Parkin and LC3B-Ⅰ/LC3B-Ⅱ in model group was higher than those in control group.Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo recipe can effectively reduce its content.The content of TOMM20 in the model group was lower than that in control group,and Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo recipe can effectively increase its content.Conclusion Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo recipe may inhibit mitophagy and improve SSc pulmonary microvascular injury by increasing TOMM20 and inhibiting the protein expression of LC3B and HIF-1α/BNIP3/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of parallel combined flow-through perforator flaps in the treatment of circular hot crush injuries in limbs with blood supply disorder.Methods:The study was a retrospective observational study. From April 2016 to December 2022, 4 cases with circular hot crush injuries in limbs with blood supply disorder were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the 988 th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, including 3 males and 1 female, aged from 24 to 48 years. Among them, 2 cases were injured in the calf and 2 cases were injured in the forearm. After emergency debridement, the area of skin and soft tissue defects was from 20 cm×20 cm to 44 cm×20 cm. The patients had defects in tibialis anterior and posterior tibial arteries with a length of 13 to 18 cm, and in ulnar and radial arteries with a length of 9 to 12 cm. Flaps were designed and cut, including a flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap with area of 20 cm×9 cm to 24 cm×21 cm carrying the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the accompanying veins of 8 to 18 cm in length; and a flow-through posterior tibial artery perforator flap with area of 21 cm×13 cm and 20 cm×14 cm carrying the posterior tibial artery, the accompanying veins with a length of 14 and 17 cm respectively, and the great saphenous vein with a length of 22 and 21 cm. The circular hot crush injury wounds in the calf with blood supply disorder were repaired by a parallel combination of flow-through posterior tibial artery perforator flap and flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap, and the circular hot crush injury wounds in the forearm with blood supply disorder were repaired by a parallel combination of bilateral flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap, and the injured main vessels were reconstructed. The donor site wounds of flap were closed directly or treated with split-thickness skin grafts from abdomen. After surgery, the blood supply and survival of the flap and distal affected limb, the healing of wounds in the donor and recipient sites, the survival of the skin graft in the flap donor site were observed. During follow-up, the condition of flaps, the appearance, blood supply, and function of affected limbs were observed. At the last follow-up, the foot and ankle functions were evaluated according to the scoring standards of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association, and the wrist and hand function was evaluated according to the trial standard of replantation of amputated upper limb function assessment of the Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. Results:The flaps and distal affected limbs of 4 patients had good blood circulation and successfully survived after surgery. The wounds of 3 cases successfully healed, while one patient with circular hot crush injury in the forearm experienced exudation in the recipient site in the later stage, and the wound healed after re-expansion and suturing. The donor site wounds healed smoothly, and the skin grafts successfully survived. During follow-up of 12 to 24 months after surgery, the flaps were slightly swollen, the limbs had good appearance, normal blood circulation, and fine functional recovery. At the last follow-up, the foot and ankle function of 2 patients with circular hot crush injuries in the calf was evaluated as good in 1 case and commonly in 1 case; the wrist and hand function of 2 patients with circular hot crush injuries in the forearm was evaluated as excellent in 1 case and good in 1 case.Conclusions:The parallel combined flow-through perforator flap can reconstruct the damaged main blood vessels and repair the wound at the same time. It can not only effectively save the limb, but also restore part of the function of the affected limb. It is one of the effective methods to treat the circular hot crush injuries in limbs with blood supply disorder.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)alkylation plays a central role in anti-inflammatory therapy.However,activators of Nrf2 through alkylation of Keap1-Kelch domain have not been identified.Deoxynyboquinone(DNQ)is a natural small molecule discovered from marine actinomycetes.The current study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of DNQ via alkylation of Keap1.DNQ exhibited signif-icant anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo.The pharmacophore responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of DNQ was determined to be the α,β-unsaturated amides moieties by a chemical reaction between DNQ and N-acetylcysteine.DNQ exerted anti-inflammatory effects through activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.Keap1 was demonstrated to be the direct target of DNQ and bound with DNQ through conjugate addition reaction involving alkylation.The specific alkylation site of DNQ on Keap1 for Nrf2 activation was elucidated with a synthesized probe in conjunction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.DNQ triggered the ubiquitination and subsequent degra-dation of Keap1 by alkylation of the cysteine residue 489(Cys489)on Keap1-Kelch domain,ultimately enabling the activation of Nrf2.Our findings revealed that DNQ exhibited potent anti-inflammatory capacity through α,β-unsaturated amides moieties active group which specifically activated Nrf2 signal pathway via alkylation/ubiquitination of Keap1-Kelch domain,suggesting the potential values of targeting Cys489 on Keap1-Kelch domain by DNQ-like small molecules in inflammatory therapies.

Aim To investigate the effects of multi-gly-cosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW)on mitochon-drial dynamics-related proteins and the mechanism of nephroprotective effects in IgA nephrophathy(IgAN)rats.Methods SPF grade male SD rats were random-ly divided into the Control group,modelling group,prednisone group(6.25 mg·kg·d-1)and GTW group(6.25 mg·kg·d-1).The IgAN rat model was established by the method of"bovine serum albumin(BSA)+carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)+lipopolysac-charide(LPS)".The total amount of urinary protein(24 h-UTP)and erythrocyte count in urine were meas-ured in 24 h urine.Blood biochemistry of serum albu-min(ALB),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),urea ni-trogen(BUN),and creatinine(Scr)were measured in abdominal aorta of the rats;immunofluorescence and HE staining were used to observe the histopathology of the kidneys;RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of key proteins regulating mitochondrial division and fu-sion:dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1),mitochondrial fusion protein 1(Mfn1),and mitochondrial fusion pro-tein 2(Mfn2),and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(Pink1),in the kidney tissue of rats.Results GTW significantly reduced urinary erythrocyte count and 24 h-UTP,decreased serum ALT,BUN and Scr levels,in-creased serum ALB levels,improved renal histopatho-logical status in IgAN rats,increased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Mfn1,Mfn2,and Pink1,and decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Drp1 in renal tissues.Conclusions GTW may regu-late mitochondrial structure and maintain the dynamic balance of mitochondrial dynamics by promoting the ex-pression of Mfn1,Mfn2,Pink1 and decreasing Drp1.This may result in a reduction in urinary erythrocyte counts and proteinuria,and an improvement in renal function.

Aim To explore the mechanism of action of Tripterygium glycosides tablets on kidney of rats with IgA nephropathy based on inflammation-related path-ways.Methods Forty-five male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into control group and modeling group.In addition to the blank group,the modeling group used the combination of bovine serum albumin(BSA)+carbon tetrachloride(CC14)+lipopolysac-charide(LPS)to establish the IgA nephropathy rat model.Successfully modeled rats were randomly divid-ed into the model group,the prednisone group and Tripterygium glycosides tablets group,and the treat-ment group was given the drug by gavage from the 13 th week,and the 24 hours urine,blood and kidney tis-sues of the rats were collected and examined after 4 weeks of the administration of the drug.Urine erythro-cyte count,quantitative 24-h urine protein(24 h-UTP),urea nitrogen(BUN),and blood creatinine(Scr)were detected in each group;serum interleukin 1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(Elisa);the pathological changes in the renal tissues of the rats in each group were observed by horizontal hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;and the renal tis-sues in each group were observed by Western blotting.The expressions of LIGHT,HVEM,LTβR proteins and their mRNAs in rat kidney tissue were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Tripterygium glycosides tablets significantly reduced the levels of urinary erythrocyte count,24 h-UTP,BUN,and Scr in IgA nephropathy rats(P＜0.01),improved renal histopathology,lowered the levels of se-rum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and lowered the levels of LIGHT,HVEM,LTβR proteins and their mRNA expression in renal tis-sues(P＜0.01).Conclusions Tripterygium glyco-sides tablets may inhibit the immune response and re-duce the release of inflammatory factors by down-regu-lating the LIGHT-HVEM/LT(3R pathway,thus reduc-ing the inflammatory response,lowering the urinary e-rythrocytes and urinary proteins,improving the renal nephron pathologic injury,and protecting the renal function.

[Abstract] Objective To explore the body index and typing characteristics of Xibe nationality. Methods According to Anthropomatric Methods, height, chest circumference, sitting height, shoulder width, pelvic width and body mass morphological indexes were collected from 588 Xibe people in Yili area and 420 Xibe people over 18 years old in Shenyang area. After data collation, body index and typing were calculated and analyzed statistically. Results Except for Xibe male stature-shoulder breadth index and Caup’ s index in Yili area and female stature-shoulder breadth index in Shenyang area, there were differences among age groups in other indexes (P < 0. 05). Except for male stature-chest circumference index, stature-crista iliaca index, female stature-chest circumference index, stature-sitting height index, Manouvrier’s skelic index, there were differences among regions (P<0. 05). The adult body shape of Xibe nationality was mainly of wide chest, wide shoulder, long trunk, wide pelvis, medium leg and sub-long leg (male), sub-short leg and medium leg (female), and overweight. Conclusion There are regional and age differences in the body index and typing of Xibe adults. Compared with other ethnic minorities, Xibe nationality’s stature-chest circumference index, stature-shoulder breadth index, stature-crista iliaca index, Caup’s index are at a higher level. The proportion of legs and body of Xibe nationality is in the middle level, while the proportion of trunk is slightly shorter for men and slightly longer for women.

Objective: To evaluate the secondary attack rates of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and the associated factors. Methods: A total of 328 primary cases and 40 146 close contacts of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant routinely detected in local areas of Jiangsu Province from February to April 2022 were selected in this study, and those with positive nucleic acid test results during 7 days of centralized isolation medical observation were defined as secondary cases. The demographic information and clinical characteristics were collected, and the secondary attack rate (SAR) and the associated factors were analyzed by using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 285 secondary cases of close contacts were reported from 328 primary cases, with a SAR of 3.2% (95%CI: 3.0%-3.4%). Among the 328 primary cases, males accounted for 61.9% (203 cases), with the median age (Q₁, Q₃) of 38.5 (27, 51) years old. Among the 1 285 secondary cases, males accounted for 59.1% (759 cases), with the median age (Q₁, Q₃) of 34 (17, 52) years old. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the higher SAR was observed in the primary male cases (OR=1.632, 95%CI: 1.418-1.877), younger than 20 years old (OR=1.766, 95%CI: 1.506-2.072),≥60 years old (OR=1.869, 95%CI: 1.476-2.365), infected with the BA.2 strain branch (OR=2.906, 95%CI: 2.388-3.537), the confirmed common cases (OR=2.572, 95%CI: 2.036-3.249), and confirmed mild cases (OR=1.717, 95%CI: 1.486-1.985). Meanwhile, the higher SAR was observed in the close contacts younger than 20 years old (OR=2.604, 95%CI: 2.250-3.015),≥60 years old (OR=1.287, 95%CI: 1.052-1.573) and exposure for co-residence (OR=27.854, 95%CI: 23.470-33.057). Conclusion: The sex and age of the primary case of the Omicron variant, the branch of the infected strain, case severity of the primary case, as well as the age and contact mode of close contacts are the associated factors of SAR.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Adult ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Logistic Models