Originating but free from chromosomal DNA, extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are organized in circular form and have long been found in unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. Their biogenesis and function are poorly understood as they are characterized by sequence homology with linear DNA, for which few detection methods are available. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have revealed that eccDNAs play crucial roles in tumor formation, evolution, and drug resistance as well as aging, genomic diversity, and other biological processes, bringing it back to the research hotspot. Several mechanisms of eccDNA formation have been proposed, including the breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) and translocation-deletion-amplification models. Gynecologic tumors and disorders of embryonic and fetal development are major threats to human reproductive health. The roles of eccDNAs in these pathological processes have been partially elucidated since the first discovery of eccDNA in pig sperm and the double minutes in ovarian cancer ascites. The present review summarized the research history, biogenesis, and currently available detection and analytical methods for eccDNAs and clarified their functions in gynecologic tumors and reproduction. We also proposed the application of eccDNAs as drug targets and liquid biopsy markers for prenatal diagnosis and the early detection, prognosis, and treatment of gynecologic tumors. This review lays theoretical foundations for future investigations into the complex regulatory networks of eccDNAs in vital physiological and pathological processes.
Male ; Female ; Animals ; Humans ; Swine ; DNA, Circular/genetics* ; Genital Neoplasms, Female ; Semen ; DNA ; Reproduction

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xibining （XBN） and adipose stem cell exosome （ADSC-Exos） in the cases of separate or joint application on cartilage degeneration and mitochondrial autophagy and explore its mechanism of action to improve knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. MethodSD rats were divided into a sham operation group （sham group）， a model group， an ADSC-Exos group （Exos group）， an XBN group， and an ADSC-Exos+XBN group （Exos+XBN group）. KOA model was established by using anterior cruciate ligament transection （ACLT）. The pain sensitivity status of rats was evaluated， and the degeneration degree of the knee joint and cartilage tissue was detected by Micro-CT and pathological staining. The expression of p62 and LC3B was observed by immunofluorescence， and the serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and IL-15 in rats were detected by ELISA. The Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of MMP-3， MMP-13， ADAMTS5， ColⅡ， TIMP， ACAN， PINK1， Parkin， p62， and LC3A/B. ResultCompared with the sham group， rats in the model group showed decreased cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds， varying degrees of abrasion and loss of cartilage tissue， degeneration of cartilage tissue， elevated serum IL-1β， IL-6， IL-15， and TNF-α levels （P<0.01）， and increased protein expression of MMP-3， MMP-13， and ADAMTS5 in cartilage tissue. In addition， the protein expression of ColⅡ， TIMP1， and ACAN was decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， rats in each treatment group showed higher cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds， reduced cartilage tissue degeneration， lower serum levels of IL-1β， IL-6， IL-15， and TNF-α （P<0.05，P<0.01）， decreased protein expression of MMP-3， MMP-13， and ADAMTS5， and higher protein expression of Cold， TIMP1， and ACAN in cartilage tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Moreover， the changes were the most obvious in the Exos+XBN group. ConclusionBoth ADSCs-Exos and XBN can increase the level of mitochondrial autophagy in chondrocytes and delay cartilage tissue degeneration by promoting the expression of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway， and the combination of the two can enhance the therapeutic effect.

Objective To investigate the effects of the Bushen Quhan Huashi Prescription(mainly composed of Drynariae Rhizoma,Eucommiae Cortex,Dipsaci Radix,Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix,Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens,Coicis Semen,and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix)in combination with Methotrexate on the disease activity and serum core-binding factor a1(Cbfa1)level of patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)of kidney deficiency and governor-vessel cold type.Methods Ninety AS patients with kidney deficiency and governor-vessel cold type were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group,with 45 patients in each group.The control group was given Methotrexate treatment,and the trial group was treated with Bushen Quhan Huashi Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment in the two groups lasted for 3 months.The changes of Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index(BASDAI)scores,Bath ankylosing spondylitis function index(BASFI)scores and serum levels of Cbfa1,type I collagen carboxy-terminal peptide(CTX-Ⅰ)and Dickkopf1 protein(DKK1)of the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and the incidence of adverse effects were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 97.78%(44/45)and that of the control group was 82.22%(37/45).The intergroup comparison by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the disease activity scores of BASDAI and BASFI in the two groups of patients were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the trial group's reduction of BASDAI scores and BASFI scores were significantly superior to those of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of serological indicators of Cbfa1,CTX-Ⅰ,and DKK1 in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of Cbfa1,CTX-Ⅰ and DKK1 levels in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences being all statistically significant(P＜0.01).(4)During the treatment,the incidence of adverse reactions in the trial group was 6.66%(3/45)and that in the control group was 11.11%(5/45),and the difference of the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Bushen Quhan Huashi Prescription combined with Methotrexate exerts certain effect in treating AS patients with kidney deficiency and governor-vessel cold type,and the therapy can effectively control the disease activity and reduce the level of serum Cbfa1 expression in the patients.

Objective To investigate the detection rate and grading diagnostic value of ultra-wide field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWF SS-OCTA)combined with ultra-wide field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy(UWF SLO)in diabetic retinopathy(DR)lesions.Methods In this cross-sectional study,diabetic patients attending the Ophthalmology Department of Sichuan Provincial Peoples Hospital were recruited.All participants underwent UWF SS-OC-TA,UWF SLO and fundus fluorescein angiography to detect DR lesions,including microaneurysms(MA),intraretinal hem-orrhages(IRH),nonperfusion areas(NPAs),intraretinal microvascular abnormalities(IRMAs),venous beading(VB),neovascularization elsewhere(NVE),neovascularization of the optic disc(NVD),and vitreous hemorrhage(VH).The re-sults of the combination of three imaging examinations(triple imaging)were used as the standards,evaluating the detec-tion rate and severity grading consistency in DR lesions of pairwise combinations of different imaging modalities.Results A total of 101 patients(175 eyes)were included.Compared with the triple imaging results,the detection rates of UWF SS-OCTA combined with UWF SLO for MA,IRH,NPAs,IRMAs,NVE,NVD and VH were 91％,83％,77％,69％,27％,10％and 12％,respectively,with Kappa values of 0.812,1.000,1.000,1.000,0.986,0.970 and 1.000.Compared with the triple imaging results,the combination of UWF SS-OCTA and UWF SLO demonstrated excellent consistency in grading the severity of DR(Kappa=0.943).Conclusion UWF SS-OCTA combined with UWF SLO can accurately identify MA,IRH,NPAs,IRMAs,NVE,NVD and VH,demonstrating high accuracy in DR screening and grading diagnosis,making it suitable for large-scale screening and management of DR in clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the effect of melatonin (MEL) on learning and memory abilities of fluoride-exposed offspring rats and the role of gut microbiota.Methods:Twelve 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (8 females and 4 males) with a body weight ranging from 180 to 220 g were selected and divided into control group 1 and fluoride-exposed group 1 using a random number table method, with 6 rats in each group (female ∶ male = 2 ∶ 1). They were free to drink purified water or purified water containing 100 mg/L sodium fluoride, respectively. After 2 months, male and female rats were raised together in cages, and the first postnatal day (PND) of the offspring rats was recorded as PND0. In PND21, the offspring rats of fluoride-exposed group 1 were divided into fluoride-exposed group (Group F, n = 6) and fluoride + MEL group (Group FM, n = 6) using a group design, and continued to be exposed to fluoride through drinking water. The offspring rats of control group 1 were divided into control group (Group C, n = 6) and MEL group ( n = 6). The groups FM and MEL were given 20 mg/kg MEL by gavage, while the groups C and F were given the same dose of normal saline by gavage. In PND60, novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests were used to observe the learning and memory abilities of the offspring rats. Western blotting (WB) was used to detect the expression level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of the offspring rats. And 16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to detect the changes in the structure and composition of gut microbiota in fecal samples. Results:The results of novel object recognition test showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the discrimination index (DI) among the four groups of offspring rats ( F = 3.95, P = 0.024). The DI in groups C and FM was higher than that of Group F ( P < 0.05). The results of Morris water maze test showed that compared with Group C, the platform-crossing time of the offspring rats of Group F were less and they had a longer time to reach the platform for the first time ( P < 0.05). Compared with Group F, the platform-crossing time of the offspring rats of Group FM were increased and they had a shorter time to reach the platform for the first time ( P < 0.05). The WB results showed that compared with Group C (1.00 ± 0.07), the expression level of BDNF protein in Group F (0.68 ± 0.26) was lower ( P < 0.05). Compared with Group F, the expression level of BDNF protein in Group FM (0.99 ± 0.14) was higher ( P < 0.05). Anosim similarity analysis showed significant differences in the structure and composition of gut microbiota in the four groups of offspring rats ( R = 0.395 062, P = 0.002). The distribution characteristics of gut microbiota species showed that at the phylum level, compared with Group C, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in Group F increased from 14.26% to 37.00%, and the relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased from 68.78% to 45.95%. Compared with Group F, the relative abundance of Firmicutes in Group FM increased from 45.95% to 65.26%, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased from 37.00% to 23.00%. At the genus level, compared with Group C, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, HT002 and UCG-005 in Group F was lower, while the relative abundance of unclassified Muribaculaceae was higher. Compared with Group F, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, HT002 and UCG-005 in Group FM was higher, while the relative abundance of unclassified Muribaculaceae was lower. The results of linear discriminant analysis revealed that the Candidatus-Saccharimonas and Incertae-Sedis were significantly enriched in Group C, unclassified Muribaculaceae and Muribaculum were significantly enriched in Group F, and Allorhizobium- Neorhizobium- Pararhizobium- Rhizobium were significantly enriched in Group FM. Conclusion:MEL can improve the learning and memory impairment of offspring rats induced by fluoride exposure by changing the structure and composition of gut microbiota.

Objective To investigate the infection status and changing trend of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection in hospitalized patients in medical institutions,and provide reference for formulating HCV infection prevention and control strategies.Methods HCV infection surveillance results from cross-sectional survey data reported to China Healthcare-associated Infection(HAI)Surveillance System in 2020 were summarized and analyzed,HCV positive was serum anti-HCV positive or HCV RNA positive,survey result was compared with the survey results from 2003.Results In 2020,1 071 368 inpatients in 1 573 hospitals were surveyed,738 535 of whom underwent HCV test,4 014 patients were infected with HCV,with a detection rate of 68.93％and a HCV positive rate of 0.54％.The positive rate of HCV in male and female patients were 0.60％and 0.48％,respectively,with a statistically sig-nificant difference(x2=47.18,P＜0.001).The HCV positive rate in the 50-＜60 age group was the highest(0.76％),followed by the 40-＜50 age group(0.71％).Difference among all age groups was statistically signifi-cant(x2=696.74,P＜0.001).In 2003,91 113 inpatients were surveyed.35 145 of whom underwent HCV test,resulting in a detection rate of 38.57％;775 patients were infected with HCV,with a positive rate of 2.21％.In 2020,HCV positive rates in hospitals of different scales were 0.46％-0.63％,with the highest in hospital with bed numbers ranging 600-899.Patients'HCV positive rates in hospitals of different scales was statistically signifi-cant(X2=35.34,P＜0.001).In 2020,12 provinces/municipalities had over 10 000 patients underwent HCV-rela-ted test,and HCV positive rates ranged 0.19％-0.81％,with the highest rate from Hainan Province.HCV posi-tive rates in different departments were 0.06％-0.82％,with the lowest positive rate in the department of pedia-trics and the highest in the department of internal medicine.In 2003 and 2020,HCV positive rates in the depart-ment of infectious diseases were the highest,being 7.95％and 3.48％,respectively.Followed by departments of orthopedics(7.72％),gastroenterology(3.77％),nephrology(3.57％)and general intensive care unit(ICU,3.10％)in 2003,as well as departments of gastroenterology(1.35％),nephrology(1.18％),endocrinology(0.91％),and general intensive care unit(ICU,0.79％)in 2020.Conclusion Compared with 2003,HCV positive rate decreased significantly in 2020.HCV infected patients were mainly from the department of infectious diseases,followed by departments of gastroenterology,nephrology and general ICU.HCV infection positive rate varies with gender,age,and region.

Objective To explore the value of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction(ddPCR)in the etiological diagnosis of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)patients with suspected bloodstream infection(BSI).Methods SAP patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine in a hospital July to September 2022 were enrolled.When BSI was suspected,venous blood was collected for both ddPCR detection and blood culture(BC)with antimi-crobial susceptibility testing(AST)simultaneously.The time required for two detection methods was recorded,and the detection results of ddPCR and BC were compared.The etiological diagnostic efficacy of ddPCR was calculated,and the correlation between the value of pathogen load detected by ddPCR and the level of infection parameters was explored.Results A total of 22 patients were included in the analysis,and 52 venous blood specimens were collec-ted for detection.BC revealed 17 positive specimens(32.7％)and 29 pathogenic strains,while ddPCR showed 41 positive specimens(78.8％)and 73 pathogenic strains.Detection time required for ddPCR was significantly lower than that of BC([0.16±0.03]days vs[5.92±1.20]days,P＜0.001).Within the detection range of ddPCR and taking BC results as the gold standard,the sensitivity and specificity of ddPCR were 80.0％and 28.6％,respective-ly.With the combined assessment of BSI based on non-blood specimen microbial evidence within a week,the sensi-tivity and specificity of ddPCR detection increased to 91.9％and 76.9％,respectively.ddPCR detected resistance genes of blaKPC,blaNDM/IMP,VanA/VanM,and mecA from 19,9,6,and 5 specimens,respectively.Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between pathogen load and levels of C-reactive protein as well as procalcitonin(r=0.347,0.414,P＜0.05).Conclusion As a supplementary detection method for BC in BSI diagnosis,ddPCR has the advantages of higher sensitivity and shorter detection time,and is worthy of further exploration in clinical application.

Objective To compare the differences in virulence-related factor aspartate protease,biofilm formation,and gene expression among clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis(C.parapsilosis).Methods Gene sequencing and microsatellite typing(MT)method were adopted to identify C.parapsilosis isolated from patients with clinical fungal infection.The production of secreted aspartate protease and biofilm formation ability of each strain were de-tected,and the expression of biofilm formation related-genes BCR1,EFG1,and HWP1,as well as aspartate prote-ase virulence genes SAPP1,SAPP2,SAPP3 were compared among the strains.Results A total of 8 clinically iso-lated C.parapsilosis strains were collected,all of which were identified as genotype Ⅰ.Based on microsatellite ty-ping results,8 clinical strains were divided into 4 microsatellite types.G1,G2,and G3 strains isolated from the urine,peripherally inserted central catheters(PICC),and blood of patient A were of different subtypes.J1,J2,J3,J4,and J5 strains were of the same type,and isolated from blood specimens of patient B at different periods.All 8 clinical strains could form biofilm,and their biofilm formation ability was higher than that of the standard strain of C.parapsilosis(ATCC 22019).G1,G3 and J5 strains had strong biofilm formation ability,J1,J2,J3,and J4 strains had moderate biofilm formation ability,and G2 strain had weak biofilm formation ability.All of the eight clinical isolates secreted aspartate protease,and their in vitro expression levels of the enzyme were higher than that of the standard strain(ATCC 22019).G3,G1,and G2 strains showed low,moderate,and high in vitro enzyme expression respectively,with statistical differences(all P＜0.05).Enzyme expressed moderately in J1 and J5 strains,and highly in J2,J3,and J4 strains.Difference between moderate and high expressions was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expression levels of biofilm formation genes BCR1,EFG1,and HWP1 in various strains isolated from patients A and B increased.In strains isolated from patient A,the expression level of EFG1 gene in G1 strain was higher than that in G2 strain(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in BCR1,EFG1,and HWP1 gene expression levels among strains isolated from patient B.The expression levels of as-partate protein genes(SAPP1,SAPP2,and SAPP3)in various strains isolated from patients A and B increased.The expression levels of SAPP1 and SAPP2 in strain G1 were higher than those in G2 and G3(both P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of SAPP1,SAPP2,and SAPP3 genes in strains from patient B.Conclusion Clinical isolates of C.parapsilosis have higher biofilm formation and aspartate protease production abilities than standard strain.The expression of virulence factors varies among strains isolated from different specimens,while there is no significant difference in the expression of virulence factors among strains isolated at different periods.Patients may have been infected with different MT types of C.parapsilosis in multiple sites during the same period.

Objective:To investigate the related factors and prognosis of invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome (IKLAS). Methods:The in-patients diagnosed with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2015 to February 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. The patients were divided into IKLAS group and non-IKLAS group according to whether they had IKLAS or not. The clinical data between the two groups were compared, including the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, the details of liver abscess, clinical symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain, as well as laboratory tests such as glycosylated hemoglobin and hemoglobin. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test or independent sample t test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of IKLAS. Results:A total of 75 patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess were enrolled, including 55 patients (73.33%) in the IKLAS group and 20 patients (26.67%) in the non-IKLAS group. Fifty-two point seven three percent (29/55) of the patients had diabetes mellitus and 12.73%(7/55) of the patients had abdominal pain in the IKLAS group, which were 20.00%(4/20) and 45.00%(9/20) in the non-IKLAS group, respectively, and the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=6.38 and 7.28, respectively, both P<0.05). Most of liver abscesses were single (50/75, 66.67%), and more likely to occur in the right liver (50/75, 66.67%). The maximum diameter of liver abscess in the IKLAS group was (4.58±2.04) cm, which was smaller than that in the non-IKLAS group ((6.49±3.11) cm), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.82, P=0.011). Compared with those in the non-IKLAS group, patients in the IKLAS group had higher glycosylated hemoglobin (8.69%±2.64% vs 6.18%±1.31%) and hemoglobin ((112.25±22.04) g/L vs (100.05±18.59) g/L), and the differences were both statistically significant ( t=-4.25 and -2.21, respectively, both P<0.05). The proportion of patients using antibiotics combined with abscess drainage in the IKLAS group was 38.18%(21/55), and that in the non-IKLAS group was 85.00%(17/20). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=12.86, P<0.001). A total of 16 patients (21 eyes) were diagnosed as endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis (EKPE), and all of them were IKLAS patients, and 14 patients underwent monocular/binocular eyeball injection and/or vitrectomy and silicone oil filling. The visual acuity of 13 patients decreased significantly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that complicated with diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for IKLAS (odds ratio ( OR)=5.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.01 to 25.03, P=0.049). The large diameter of liver abscess was a protective factor for IKLAS ( OR=0.64, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.86, P=0.003). Conclusions:The patients with IKLAS have less abdominal pain, and most of them complicate with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of IKLAS, while the large diameter of liver abscess is a protective factor. EKPE is associated with poor visual prognosis.

Fluorescence anisotropy(FA)analysis has many advantages such as no requirement of separation,high throughput and real-time detection,and thus has been widely used in many fields,including biochemical analysis,food safety detection,environmental monitoring,etc.However,due to the small volume or mass of the target,its combination with the fluorescence probe cannot produce significant signal change.To solve this issue,researchers often use nanomaterials to enhance the mass or volume of fluorophore to improve the sensitivity.Nevertheless,this FA amplification strategy also has some disadvantages.Firstly,nanomaterials are easy to quench fluorescence.As a result,the FA value is easily influenced by light scattering,which reduces the detection accuracy.Secondly,fluorescent probes in most methods require complex modification steps.Therefore,it is necessary to develop new FA probes that do not require the amplification of volume and mass or modification.As a new kind of nanomaterials,luminescent metal-organic framework(MOF)has a large volume(or mass)and strong fluorescence emission.It does not require additional signal amplification materials.As a consequence,it can be used as a potential FA probe.This study successfully synthesized a lanthanide metal organic framework(Ce-TCPP MOF)using cerium ion(Ce3+)as the central ion and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl)porphyrin(H2TCPP)as the ligand through microwave assisted method,and used it as a novel unmodified FA probe to detect phosphate ions(Pi).In the absence of Pi,Ce-TCPP MOF had a significant FA value(r).After addition of Pi,Pi reacted with Ce3+in MOF and destroyed the structure of MOF into the small pieces,resulting in a decrease in r.The experimental results indicated that with the increase of Pi concentration,the change of the r of Ce-TCPP MOF(Δr)gradually increased.The Δr and Pi concentration showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.5-3.5 μmol/L(0.016-0.108 mg/L).The limit of detection(LOD,3σ/k)was 0.41 μmol/L.The concentration of Pi in the Jialing River water detected by this method was about 0.078 mg/L,and the Pi value detected by ammonium molybdate spectrophotometry was about 0.080 mg/L.The two detection results were consistent with each other,and the detection results also meet the ClassⅡwater quality standard,proving that this method could be used for the detection of Pi in complex water bodies.