Objective To examine the impact of different numbers of microsatellite markers on the analysis of population genetic diversity of Schistosoma japonicum, so as to provide insights into studies on the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum. Methods Oncomelania hupensis snails were collected from a wasteland in Gong’an County, Hubei Province, and 37 S. japonicum-infected O. hupensis snails were identified using the cercarial shedding method. A single cercaria released from each S. japonicum-infected O. hupensis snail was collected, and 10 cercariae were randomly collected from DNA extraction. Nine previously validated microsatellite loci and 15 additional microsatellite loci screened from literature review and the GenBank database and confirmed with stable amplification efficiency were selected as molecular markers. Genomic DNA from cercariae was subjected to three multiplex PCR amplifications of microsatellite markers with the Type-it Microsatellite PCR kit, and genotyped using capillary electrophoresis. The population genetic diversity of S. japonicum cercariae DNA was analyzed with observed number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ae), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and polymorphism information content (PIC), and tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and linkage disequilibrium (LD). To further investigate the impact of the number of microsatellite loci on the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum, the number of microsatellite markers was sequentially assigned from 1 to 24, and the mean and standard deviation of Na were calculated for S. japonicum populations at different locus numbers. In addition, the coefficient of variation (CV) of allelic number (defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean) was determined, and the variation in Na with increasing microsatellite locus numbers was analyzed. Results Genomic DNA from 345 S. japonicum cercariae was selected for genotyping of 24 microsatellite markers, and all 24 microsatellite loci met linkage equilibrium (standardized linkage disequilibrium coefficient D′ < 0.7, r² < 0.3) and deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.001). The mean Na, Ae, Ho and He were 27.46 ± 2.18, 12.46 ± 0.95, 0.46 ± 0.03, and 0.91 ± 0.01 for 24 microsatellite loci in S. japonicum cercarial populations, respectively, and PIC ranged from 0.85 to 0.96, indicating high genome-wide representativeness of 24 microsatellite loci. The mean value of Na-Ae was higher in genotyping with 9 previously validated microsatellite loci (19.88 ± 8.43) than with all 24 loci (14.99 ± 8.09). As the number of microsatellite loci increased, the mean Na showed no significant variation; however, the standard deviation gradually decreased. Notably, if the locus number reached 18 or more, the variation in the standard deviation of Na remarkably reduced. In addition, the standard deviation of Na at 18 loci was less than 5% of the mean Na at 24 loci, with a CV of 4.6%. Conclusions The number of microsatellite loci significantly affects the population genetic diversity analysis of S. japonicum. Eighteen or more microsatellite loci are recommended for analysis of the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum under the current conditions of low-prevalence infection and unbalanced genetic distribution of S. japonicum.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the non-fasting triglyceride and glucose （TyG） index and hyperglycemia in pregnancy during the third trimester in high altitudes. MethodsThis study selected clinical and laboratory data of 774 Tibetan singleton pregnant women who delivered at Chaya People's Hospital of Qamdo city in Xizang autonomous region， from January 2023 to April 2025. The non-fasting TyG index was calculated from non-fasting triglyceride （TG） and random plasma glucose （PG）. Based on the tertiles of the non-fasting TyG index values， the individuals were split into three groups （corresponding to non-fasting TyG index of 8.89 and 9.21， respectively）. The baseline clinical characteristics， lipid levels and the occurrence of developing hyperglycemia in pregnancy were compared among the three groups. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA， Kruskal-Wallis H test， Chi-square test， or Fisher exact test and the relationship between the non-fasting TyG index and hyperglycemia in pregnancy were examined using multivariate logistic regression models and curve fitting. ResultsA total of 774 Tibetan singleton pregnant women were included， with a average age of 27.3 ± 6.1 years， a pre-delivery body mass index （Pre-BMI） of （25.2±2.3）kg/m² ， a proportion of 26.7% （207/774） primigravid women， the mean non-fasting TyG index was 9.1 ± 0.4。Thirty pregnant women were diagnosed with hyperglycemia in pregnancy， with a detection rate of 3.9% （30/774）. Statistically significant differences in serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） levels were identified when comparing different non-fasting TyG groups （all P values <0.05）. Subsequent trend test analysis indicated that the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and PG gradually increased with elevated the non-fasting TyG index （ F_{trend TC}=95.61， P<0.001； F_{trend TG}=1 051.91， P<0.001； F_{trend LDL-C} = 97.20， P < 0.001； F_{trend TG}=195.20； P<0.001）. After adjustment for maternal age， pre-delivery BMI， altitude， TC， LDL-C， and HDL-C， multivariate Logistic regression models revealed independent positive associations between non-fasting TyG index and hyperglycemia in pregnancy （Model 1： OR=2.72， 95% CI： 1.13-6.53， P=0.026； Model 2： OR=2.56， 95% CI： 1.01-6.50， P=0.048； Model 3： OR=2.72， 95% CI： 1.06-6.97， P=0.037； Model 4： OR=4.02， 95% CI： 1.42-11.40， P=0.009） and the incident of hyperglycemia in pregnancy showed an increasing tendency as increasing with the non-fasting TyG index， however， this association did not statistical significance （P _trend >0.05）. Curve fitting by restricted cubic splines （RCS） were used to assess linearity between non-fasting TyG and hyperglycemia in pregnancy， and there was a linear dose-response relationship between non-fasting TyG and hyperglycemia in pregnancy （P _{for non-linear} = 0.515）. ConclusionNon-fasting TyG index in the third trimester is a risk factor for hyperglycemia in pregnancy among the Tibetan singleton pregnant women at high altitudes and there was a possible linear dose-response relationship between the non-fasting TyG index and hyperglycemia in pregnancy.

Objective To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of decorin(DCN),imatinib mesylate,and sunitinib malate on the malignant phenotype of gastrointestinal stromal tumor cells.Methods Western blotting was used to detect changes in the expres-sion of DCN and its downstream proteins after DCN overexpression and treatment with imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate alone or in combination in gastrointestinal stromal tumor cells(GIST-882).Cell counting kit-8,scratch,and Transwell assays were performed to validate the changes in cell proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities after DCN overexpression and treatment with imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate alone or in combination in GIST-882 cells.Results Compared with the control group,DCN overexpression and treatment with imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate alone or in combination in GIST-882 cells increased the expression levels of DCN protein,decreased the expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),phosphorylated EGFR(p-EGFR),extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2),and phosphorylated ERK1/2(p-ERK1/2)proteins,and significantly reduced cell proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities.Conclusion DCN overexpression and treatment with imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate alone or in combination affect the MAPK signaling pathway by downregulating the expression of EGFR,thereby regulating the proliferation,migra-tion,and invasion abilities of gastrointestinal stromal tumor cells.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and prothrombotic risk factors of postoperative venous thromboembolism(VTE) in Cushing′s disease and to further develop an assessment model to identify those at high risk of postoperative VTE events.Methods:A retrospective study was performed in 82 patients who were admitted to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University during January 2019 and January 2020 and diagnosed with Cushing′s disease. These patients underwent the evaluation about their clinical, hormonal, and coagulation parameters, as well as ultrasonography and pulmonary angio-CT when necessary. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors, and a nomogram model for postsurgical VTE risk assessment in Cushing′s disease was initially established, and Bootstrap method was used for internal verification. Finally, the predictive model was evaluated for calibration and clinical applicability in the study cohort.Results:Nineteen patients(23.17%) developed VTE events, with 14 cases occurring after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Compared to patients without VTE, those in the VTE group were older( P<0.001), had longer postoperative bed rest, higher rates of current infection, higher HbA 1C levels, and more severe glucose tolerance impairment(all P<0.05). Through LASSO regression analysis, two independent risk factors for postoperative VTE were identified: Age and current infection. Then a VTE risk assessment nomogram model was established to predict the patients at high risk of VTE. In the nomogram model for VTE risk assessment, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.868(95% CI 0.787-0.949), with the calibration curve closely aligning with the ideal diagonal line and the clinical decision curve exceeding the two extreme curves. Conclusions:Advanced perioperative assessment needs to be taken to screen those with high VTE risks in patients diagnosed with Cushing′s disease. Additionally, during the perioperative period, patients with Cushing′s disease should undergo mandatory physical activity or prophylactic anticoagulant therapy.

Objective:To analyze the dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic (RCM) features of extragenital lichen sclerosus, and to identify their associations with histopathological manifestations.Methods:A total of 57 patients with histopathologically confirmed lichen sclerosus were retrospectively collected from the Department of Dermatology, Wuhan No.1 Hospital from October 2010 to April 2024. Dermoscopic and RCM images were collected from typical skin lesions in extragenital areas, and the consistency between dermoscopic or RCM characteristics and histopathological features was analyzed.Results:Among the 57 patients with extragenital lichen sclerosus, there were 15 males and 42 females, with ages ranging from 5 to 60 years and disease duration from 5 to 28 months. The skin lesions were mainly located on the face and neck (23 cases, 40.4%) and back (11 cases, 19.3%). Histopathological features included hyperkeratosis with follicular plugging, vacuolar degeneration of basal cells, edematous papillary and superficial dermis, collagen homogenization, and predominant infiltration of variable amounts of melanophages and lymphocytes in the superficial dermis. Dermoscopy showed yellowish-white structureless areas in 57 cases (100%), yellowish-white circular structures in 55 (corresponding to follicular keratotic plugs, 96.5%), characteristic vascular structures in 54 (94.7%), gray-brown punctate pigmentation in 56 (98.3%), xanthochromic patchy pigmentation in 20 (35.1%), white scales in 54 (94.7%), white scar-like hypopigmentation in 43 (75.4%), and hemorrhagic spots in 2 (3.5%). RCM images showed follicular plugging in 44 cases (77.19%), manifesting as dilated follicular infundibula containing highly refractive keratotic materials; liquefaction degeneration of the basal cell ring was observed in 57 cases (100%), manifesting as loss of the basal cell ring, blurred epidermal-dermal junction, and infiltration of variable amounts of melanophages and inflammatory cells in the superficial dermis; dilatation of superficial dermal blood vessels was seen in 46 (80.7%) ; all 57 cases (100%) showed reduced epidermal thickness compared to surrounding normal skin, epidermal atrophy and thinning, and rete ridge flattening; hyperkeratosis was observed in 57 cases (100%) ; 39 cases (68.42%) showed thickened fibers with increased refractivity in the superficial dermis. The detection rates of follicular keratotic plugs, patchy pigmentation, and white scar-like hypopigmentation by dermoscopy significantly differed from those by histopathological examinations (all P < 0.05), so did the detection rates of superficial dermal collagen thickening and vascular dilatation by RCM (both P < 0.05) . Conclusions:Extragenital lichen sclerosus has characteristic dermoscopic and RCM manifestations, which were highly consistent with its histopathological findings. Dermoscopy combined with RCM technology can provide effective support for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extragenital lichen sclerosus.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of rapid identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using different algorithms of the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. Methods:Totally 314 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were selected from the bacterial bank at Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2017 to June 2019. The samples were identified by MALDI-TOF MS, and screened by cefoxitin disk method (inhibition ring diameter ￡21 mm) and PCR mecA gene. The strains were divided into a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) group (130 strains) and a methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) group (184 strains). Then, after collecting the spectrograms of these samples using formic acid extraction, the MRSA group and MSSA group were divided into three subgroups each, namely MRSA-1 (43 strains), MRSA-2 (42 strains), MRSA-3 (45 strains) and MSSA-1 (60 strains), MSSA-2 (61 strains) and MSSA-3 (63 strains). The groups were studied using genetic algorithm (GA), fast classification algorithm (QC) and supervised neural network algorithm (SNN) in the ClinProTools software on the Bruker MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, and the convolutional neural network algorithm (CNN) in the Ex-SmartSpec software on the Zhongyuan Hui-Ji mass spectrometer. These studies were repeated for 3 rounds. The first round with MRSA-1 and MRSA-2, MSSA-1 and MSSA-2 being model groups, MRSA-3 and MSSA-3 being validation groups. The validation groups were rotated for each round. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve expansions of the four algorithms were used to confirm each program′s performance. Then, 38 MRSA strains and 40 MSSA clinical strains were selected from the bacterial bank of the Laboratory of Beijing Tongren Hospital from July 2019 to December 2019, and were put through the formic acid extraction method to collect their spectra. These samples were tested independently with their convolutional neural network models. Results:After three rounds of modeling and verification, the areas under the ROC curves of the three Bruker ClinProTools programs were as follows: for genetic algorithm, the areas were 0.89, 0.74, and 0.64 respectively; for fast classification algorithm, the areas were 0.77, 0.95, and 0.94 respectively; and for supervised neural network algorithm, the areas were 0.90, 0.98, and 0.98 respectively. The areas under the ROC curves of the convolutional neural network algorithm with Zhongyuan Huiji mass spectrometer′s Ex-SmartSpec software were 0.95, 0.99, and 0.99 respectively. The independent test results of convolutional neural network algorithm showed that these results have an accuracy, specificity, sensitivity and AUC of 88.82% (810/912), 81.15% (779/960), 84.88% (1 589/1 872) and 0.92 respectively.Conclusions:The supervised neural network algorithm of Bruker′s ClinProTools and the convolutional neural network algorithm of Zhongyuan Hui-Ji mass spectrometer′s EX-Smartspec is clinically acceptable for rapid identification of MRSA performance indicators. Using convolutional neural network algorithm and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, MRSA strains can be identified quickly, providing timely advice for clinical medications.

ObjectiveTo systematically review the effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait of patients with cerebral palsy. MethodsRelevant literature on gait improvement of patient with cerebral palsy by rhythmic auditory stimulation were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCO, CNKI and Wanfang database from establishment to December, 2022. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the articles, and the relevant data was extracted. A systematic review was conducted. ResultsA total of 1 339 literatures were retrieved, and ten were finally included. The patients mainly came from America, Egypt, Israel, South Korea and Greece. The intervention sites were mainly in hospitals and communities, and some patients received home-based intervention. The publication date was mainly after 2010. Adding rhythmic auditory stimulation on the basis of conventional rehabilitation training increased the range of motion of the joints of patients with cerebral palsy; improved the walking speed, step length and stride length; improved the movement mode, and enhanced the intervention effect of gait training. ConclusionRhythmic auditory stimulation is effective on the range of motion, walking speed, step length and stride length of patient with spastic cerebral palsy, which can improve gait.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of liver injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to explore its impact on the condition and prognosis of patients.Methods:The medical records of 67 patients with COVID-19 who presented with pneumonia hospitalized at Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 11 to March 28, 2020 were collected. The results of liver biochemistry and coagulation function test at admission were analyzed. Data were compared by chi-square test, analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results:Among 67 patients, total bilirubin increased in seven (10.4%) patients, which was slightly abnormal, albumin decreased in 36(53.7%) cases, and was below 30 g/L in 15(22.4%) cases, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were elevated in 19(28.4%) and 12(17.9%) cases, respectively. A total of 22(32.8%) cases had elevated ALT and (or) AST. The incidences with elevated ALT and (or) AST in moderate and severe patients were 33.3%(10/30) and 26.9%(7/26), respectively. Five of 11 critical patients had elevated ALT and (or) AST. There was no significant difference among the three groups ( χ2=1.21, P=0.546). Abnormal alkaline phosphatase and (or) γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were observed in 11(16.4%) cases. The prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) occurred in 10(14.9%) and 17(25.4%) patients, respectively, while most of them were slightly abnormal. Only one patient presented with prolongation of PT and APTT meeting the standard of liver failure. A total of 61.2%(41/67) and 65.7%(44/67) of cases showed increase of fibrinogen and D-dimer, respectively, and 28.4%(19/67) and 19.4%(13/67), respectively increased to an obvious extent. The albumin levels in moderate, severe and critical patients were (37.85±6.19) g/L, (32.96±4.33) g/L and (33.02±3.63) g/L, respectively, which were significantly different ( F=7.36, P=0.001). There were significant differences in PT, APTT, fibrinogen and D-dimer among the three groups ( F=3.22, 3.31, 4.06 and H=17.63, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions:COVID-19 only leads to mild liver injury and has only mild impact on liver function. The decrease of albumin level and the increase of fibrinogen and D-dimer may be early predicting indexes for the disease severity.

Carcinoid is a kind of tumor originating from neuroendocrine cells, which is rare in female reproductive system. Patients with primary ovarian carcinoid are usually difficult to diagnose before operation, and often coexist with ovarian teratoma. Postoperative pathology is the final basis for diagnosis. Adnexectomy is the main choice for treatment. The effect of surgical treatment is satisfied. The clinical data of 3 patients with ovarian carcinoid were analyzed and the literature was reviewed in order to deepen the understanding of primary ovarian carcinoid and guide the clinical therapy.

Objective:To verify the protective effect of terazosin on cognitive function of rats after whole-brain irradiation (WBI) and to investigate its mechanism.Methods:A total of 64 1-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the untreated control group, terazosin group, irradiation group and irradiation plus terazosin group (combination group). WBI was administered at a single dose of 20 Gy in the irradiation and combination groups. The open field test and the Morris water maze (MWM) test were used to evaluate the effect of terazosin on cognitive function after WBI.Starting from the three aspects of juvenile neuron apoptosis, neurogenesis disorderand microglia activation, the possible cellular mechanism wasassayed by double-label immunofluorescence staining for BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) / NeuN, DCX(Doublecortin) / Caspase-3 and single-label immunofluorescence staining for Iba-1 (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1).Results:Terazosin intervention improved the short-term memory retention of irradiated rats ( P=0.032). After terazosin treatment, the number of DCX + cells in the combination groupwas increased by approximately 35% compared with that in the irradiation group ( P=0.038). The number of BrdU +/NeuN + cells in the combination group was increased by approximately 15% than that in the irradiation group ( P>0.05). The number of Iba-1 + cells in the irradiation plus terazosin group was decreased by 49% compared with that in the irradiation group ( P=0.036). Conclusion:Terazosin may reduce the hippocampal juvenile neuron loss and inhibit neuroinflammation via microglia activation, which can alleviate WBI-induced cognitive dysfunction to a certain extent.