Objective:To analyze the mutation spectrum and hematological phenotype of hemoglobin subunit delta(HBD) gene among prenatal population in Xiangtan City, and to provide scientific basis for screening and diagnosis of rare and complex hemoglobinopathia.Methods:Prenatal population underwent screening and genetic testing for thalassemia at Xiangtan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from October 2022 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects, combined with capillary electrophoresis results, further HBD gene sequencing was performed to identify specific genotypes.Results:A total of 5 371 subjects were enrolled, 22 cases of HBD gene mutations were detected, with a mutation carrier rate of 0.41% (22/5 371). Among them, 14 cases were diagnosed with δ thalassemia, 7 cases were δ abnormal hemoglobin, and 1 case was δ thalassemia combined with δ abnormal hemoglobin. There were 7 HBD mutant genotypes were included, with -77(T>C) being the most common, followed by hemoglobin (Hb) A 2-Huadu and CD34(+GGT); accounting for 68.2% (15/22), 9.1% (2/22), 9.1% (2/22). CD34(+GGT) was a newly discovered genotype, and CD7(GAG>TAG) was the first reported genotype in Chinese population. The Hb content, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin content were normal or nearly normal in 22 carriers of the HBD gene mutation; capillary electrophoresis demonstrated reduced Hb A 2 content in all cases. Conclusions:HBD gene mutations have been detected in the prenatal population in Xiangtan City, with -77(T>C) being the most common mutation genotype. None of the mutation carriers showed anemia.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine bone-setting technique using spinal,pelvi-lower extremity line to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods 426 patients with KOA were all from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.They were randomly divided into experimental group(384 cases,57 cases of elimination,shedding and termination)by computer generated sequence.Traditional Chinese bone setting techniques were applied with spinal-pelvic-lower limb force line(divided into three parts:lumbar fixed point reduction method,hip joint push-pull and extension method and knee peripheral tendon recovery method every 3 days.2 weeks)treatment;The control group was the waiting treatment group(48 cases,6 cases were eliminated,abscission,termination),which was only used for clinical observation for 2 weeks.The main outcome index was WOMAC pain score.Secondary outcome measures were WOMAC stiffness score,functional score,standardized score and quality of life score(SF-12).The test time points were baseline,2 weeks after enrollment,and follow-up(14 weeks after enrollment).The control group was at baseline and 2 weeks after enrollment.Results Compared with baseline,WOMAC pain score,stiffness score,functional score and standardized score were all decreased in 2 groups 2 weeks after enrollment(P<0.05),but the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with the control group(P<0.001).SF-12 quality of life scores were all higher than before(P<0.001),but the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.001).At follow-up,compared with 2 weeks after enrollment,WOMAC pain scores were increased(P<0.001),WOMAC stiffness,joint function and standardized scores were decreased(P<0.001),and SF-12 scores were increased(P<0.001).Conclusion The use of spinal-pelvi-lower extremity line of traditional Chinese medicine bone-setting technique in the treatment of KOA is effective in improving the knee joint function and improving the quality of life of patients,but the short-term effect of pain relief is good,and the long-term effect is not good.Its safety is good,and it can be considered in clinical application for KOA patients with joint dysfunction as the main manifestation.

Heme/metabolism* ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so as to provide insights into the assessment of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and the scientific formulation of the schistosomiasis surveillance strategy. Methods From 2015 to 2019, a total of 19 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including 4 fixed sites and 15 mobile sites. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling in combination with environmental sampling, and the infection of Schistosoma japonicum was detected by the crushing method combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Results From 2015 to 2019, snail habitats were detected at areas of 17 040 to 39 527 m², including 6 214 m² emerging snail habitats and 16 563 m² re-emerging snail habitats. The overall mean density of living snails was 0.019 2 snails/0.1 m² and the occurrence of frames with snails was 1.11% in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites; however, no S. japonicum infection was identified in snails. The area of snail habitats increased by 121.46% in the national surveillance sites in 2019 as compared to that in 2015; however, 50.34% (Z = −0.422, P > 0.05) and 42.85% (χ² = 130.41, P < 0.01) reductions were seen in the overall means density of living snails and the occurrence of frames with snails. All snail habitats were distributed in the 4 fixed surveillance sites, and were mainly found in ditches, paddy fields and dry lands, with weeds as the primary vegetation type. Conclusions There are still risk factors leading to re-emergent transmission of schistosomiasis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, such as local snail spread, and the monitoring of schistosomiasis remains to be reinforced to further consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination in the region.

Background: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was strongly expressed and activated in psoriatic keratinocytes (KCs) and correlated with the severity of psoriasis. The study aimed to investigate the effects of STAT3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) combined with ultrasonic irradiation and SonoVue microbubbles on the proliferation and apoptosis in KCs of psoriatic lesions and the relative mechanisms. Methods: Psoriatic KCs were transfected under four experimental conditions: (1) STAT3 siRNA carried by Lipofectamine 3000 combined with ultrasonic irradiation and SonoVue microbubbles (LUS group); (2) STAT3 siRNA only carried by Lipofectamine 3000 (L group); (3) the negative control of siRNA carried by Lipofectamine 3000 combined with ultrasonic irradiation and SonoVue microbubbles (siRNA-NC); (4) not treated as Blank. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to evaluate the cell proliferation. Cell cycle analysis was detected with cycle test Plus DNA reagent kit associated with flow cytometer. FITC Annexin V apoptosis detection kit associated with flow cytometer was applied for apoptosis analysis. Fluo calcium indicator associated with flow cytometer was used to analyze intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca]). The expressions of cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL were detected both at the mRNA level by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and at the protein level by Western blotting. The obtained data were statistically evaluated by two-way analysis of variance. Results: STAT3 siRNA inhibited the growth of KCs in a time-dependent manner showing the highest proliferation inhibition in LUS group with proliferation ratio of 45.38% ± 5.85% at 72h (P < 0.05 vs. L group, siRNA-NC, or Blank). STAT3 siRNA induced an altered cell cycle distribution of KCs showing the highest increases in G2/M-phase population up to 18.06% ± 0.36% in LUS group (P < 0.05 vs. L group, siRNA-NC, or Blank). STAT3 siRNA induced late apoptosis of KCs with the highest late apoptosis percentage of 22.87% ± 1.28% in LUS group (P < 0.05 vs. L group, siRNA-NC, or Blank). STAT3 siRNA induced the elevation of [Ca]of KCs with the highest calcium fluorescence intensity mean of 1213.67 ± 60.51 in LUS group (P < 0.05 vs. L group, siRNA-NC, or Blank). STAT3 siRNA induced the downregulation of cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL expressions of KCs at mRNA and protein levels with the lowest expressions in LUS group with cyclin D1 expression of 51.81% ± 9.58% and 70.17% ± 4.22% at mRNA level and at protein level, respectively, and with Bcl-xL expression of 37.58% ± 4.92% and 64.06% ± 7.78% at mRNA level and at protein level, respectively (P < 0.05 vs. L group, siRNA-NC, or Blank). Conclusions STAT3 siRNA inhibited the growth and induced the apoptosis in psoriatic KCs likely partly through altering cell cycle distribution, elevating [Ca], and downregulating cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL expressions. Silencing the target gene STAT3 in psoriatic KCs with siRNA combined with ultrasonic irradiation and microbubbles would contribute to a significant innovation as a new clinical therapy for psoriasis.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Microbubbles ; Phospholipids ; Psoriasis ; therapy ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Sulfur Hexafluoride ; Ultrasonics

Objective To explore the developmental characteristics of white matter volume in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children longitudinal.Methods From May 2011 to September 2014,37 ASD children (ASD group)and 27 developmental delays (DD) children (control group) were treated at the Child Mental Health Research Center,Nanjing Brian Hospital Affiliated of Nanjing Medical University,and the children whose age,gender and developmental quotient matched with the ASD children were scanned by structure magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) at the age of 2-3 years old and 4-5 years old respectively.Region of interest (ROI) technology was adopted to investigate the change of the cerebrum white and the sub-lobes structure white matter volume with time.Then the correlation between clinical symptoms and brain white matter volume changes was analyzed.Results Among the 2-3 years old,compared with the control group,the white matter volume of the total brain[(383 521.84 ±6 427.57) mm3 vs.(364 014.06 ±6 856.97) mm3],the left cerebral hemisphere [(191 609.35 ± 3 206.60) mm3 vs.(181 695.89 ± 3 389.54)mm3],temporal lobe [(41 860.49 ±816.38) mm3 vs.(39 444.18 ± 834.85) mm3] and the right temporal lobe [(21 312.79 ± 414.07) mm3 vs.(20 084.22 ± 412.13) mm3] were significantly larger in the ASD group,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).With the analysis of covariance with age or the total brain volume as the covariate,the differences disappeared(all P ＞ 0.05).Among the 4-5 years old,compared with the control group,the white matter volumes of the total brain[(417 651.42 ± 6 443.86) mm3 vs.(394 317.27 ± 6 404.86)mm3],left cerebral hemisphere [(208 714.16 ±3 214.61) mm3 vs.(197 192.82 ±3 262.02) mm3],right cerebral hemisphere [(208937.26±3242.09) mm3 vs.(7 124.45 ±3 193.13) mm3],frontal lobe [(107 107.46±1 681.99) mm3 vs.(100 326.19 ± 1 883.24) mm3],left frontal lobe [(54 569.63 ± 846.85) mm3 vs.(51 177.25 ±979.09) mm3],right frontal lobe [(52 537.83 ± 841.99) mm3 vs.(49 148.94 ±928.31) mm3],temporal lobe [(45 189.75 ± 833.29) mm3 vs.(42 487.73 ± 786.27) mm3],left temporal lobe [(22 204.21 ±411.77) mm3 vs.(20 922.90 ± 418.46) mm3],and right temporal lobe [(22 985.54 ± 426.93) mm3 vs.(21 564.83 ± 378.78) mm3]were significantly larger in the ASD group,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).With the analysis of covariance with age as the covariate,the differences still existed (all P ＜ 0.05).With the analysis of covariance with the total brain volume as the covariate,the differences disappeared (all P ＞ 0.05).For longitudinal analysis,there was a significant difference in the white matter volume between the whole brain,left cerebral hemisphere,right cerebral hemisphere,frontal lobe,left frontal lobe,fight frontal lobe,temporal lobe,left temporal lobe,right temporal lobe and the differences were statistically significant (F =5.521,5.533,5.459,5.830,5.800,5.723,4.857,4.418,5.159,all P ＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between the changes of the volume of whole brain,the white matter volume in the whole brain,bilateral cerebral hemisphere,frontal lobe,parietal lobe,right parietal lobe and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (r =0.367,0.343,0.321,0.349,0.296,0.308,0.351,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Among the 2-3 years old,the white matter volume of the brain regions have been increased significantly in ASD.Among the 4-5 years old,the increase of the white matter volume of the brain regions implicated more widely which mainly concentrated in the frontal and temporal lobe in ASD.The severity of the clinical symptoms of ASD may be associated with the white matter volume of the total brain,bilateral cerebral hemisphere,frontal lobe,parietal lobe and right parietal lobe.

The concentrations and distributions of trace metals and rare earth elements (REE) in sediment and mussel samples collected from the India Ocean hydrothermal area were analyzed.The metal correlation between organisms and sediments was investigated, and the ecological and chemical characteristics of REE were also explored.The results showed that, the trace metals in sediments were mainly Fe (96.6 mg/kg), Mn (1.14 mg/kg) and Zn (322.6 μg/kg), and Fe had high ratio of 98.15% by normalized calculation, which indicated that the available sediments in this studying hydrothermal area mainly consisted of iron ore substances.Trace metals and REE distributions all had good correlation between deep-sea sediments and deep-sea mussels, and the correlation coefficients were 0.991 for trace metals and 0.996 for REE.The contents and distributions of metal elements in deep-sea mussels were different from those in offshore mussels.The REE distributions in sediments and mussels showed obvious fractionation phenomenon, and the enrichment of LREE in mussels was significant.Through the REE patterns, Eu and Gd in sediments and mussels all showed anomalies, and Eu had a significant abnormal phenomenon in deep-sea sediments and deep-sea mussels.Besides, δEu values were 9.50, 10.68 and 0.23 in deep-sea sediments, deep-sea mussels and offshore mussels, respectively, and δCe were 2.21, 2.71 and 4.38, which showed that the enrichment sources of REE in offshore mussels and deep-sea mussels were different, and the REE in sediments and mussels from the India Ocean were homologous.

Objective To explore the effect and significance of clinical pathway guided teaching in the residency standard training program of respiratory medicine. Methods Total 47 resident physicians were selected and divided into clinical pathway group and control group from March 2014 to November 2014. The pathway group (n=24) was introduced into the teaching guided by clinical pathway management. The control group (n=23) was taught by traditional teaching method. All physicians were tested for the basic theory and the ability of case analysis after 4 weeks training. The ability of chemotherapy strategy ordered by residents independently and correctly was assessed each week during training. A satisfaction questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of teaching guided by clinical pathway. GraphPad Prism 5.0 was used and T test was done for comparison of data between groups. Results The medical records about basic theory and case analysis in the pathway group was higher than those in the control group with significant statistical difference (P<0.05). The records of resident physicians who could issue orders for chemotherapy independently and correctly were (70.75±2.79), (81.43±1.91), (85.23±1.3), (90.62±2.34) in the pathway group and (69.65±2.06), (77.11±2.21), (80.3±1.96), (87.78±2.21) in the control group at each week time point. There was statistical increase of the records in the pathway group than in the control group since the second week time point (P<0.05) The overall satisfaction of the pathway group was 95.84%(23/24), and the teaching satisfaction was higher than that of the control group(91.29%, 21/23). Pathway group doctors believe that the relevant teaching effectively improve the level of their knowledge , experience and ability. Conclusions The teaching method guided by clinical pathway is help-ful to standardize the teaching behavior, develop the standardized medical behavior of resident physicians, improve their clinical working ability efficiently, promote the relationship between teaching and studying, which is worth application in the residency standard training program of respiratory medicine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk genes for predicting the development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cirrhosis using gene chip technology. MethodsA total of 40 CHB patients who visited Shanghai First People′s Hospital from April 2008 to December 2010 were enrolled as a clinical cohort and were divided into S0, S1, S2, S3, and S4 groups, with 8 patients in each group. Liver biopsy was performed to determine fibrosis stage with the Scheuer pathological score as the criteria, and clinical data and liver tissue samples were reserved. The Human Affymetrix GeneChip was used to establish the gene expression profiles of liver tissues in CHB patients, and the significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) and prediction analysis of microarrays (PAM) were used to screen out the risk genomes for predicting the development of CHB cirrhosis. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of risk genes in liver tissue. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data. The t-test and a one-way analysis of variance were used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data, and SNK-q test was used for further comparison between any two groups; the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data. ResultsA total of 1674 differentially expressed genes were screened out by Affymetrix GeneChip. A cluster analysis of these genes showed that gene expression showed differences between groups with different fibrosis stages, which suggested that the gene expression profile was well consistent with fibrosis stage. Four different classification methods were used for analysis, and 87 significant genes were screened out by SAM and 14 “high-risk” genes were screened out by PAM. The quantitative real-time PCR showed the expression of 6 risk genes (CD24, CXCL6, EHF, ITGBL1, LUM, and SOX9) differed significantly between groups S0, S1-3, and S4 (P＜0.05), and the S1-3 and S4 groups showed significantly upregulated expression of these genes compared with the S0 group (all P＜0.05). ConclusionThe 6 high-risk factors screened out and verified by gene chip technology help to predict the probability of developing liver cirrhosis in CHB patients and can be used as the diagnostic genes for predicting hepatitis B cirrhosis.

A microwave digestion system was preparation for the digestion of the sediment samples of 16 stations in the Southe mid_Atlantic ridge by using HNO3_H2 O2_HF as the digestion reagent. The rare earth elements ( RE ) in sediments were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and distribution characteristics of rare earth elements were studied. The microwave digestion_ICP_MS method was used for the determination of rare earth elements with a good linear relationship ( r=0 . 9997-1 . 0000 ) for each element. The detection limit reached ng/L level, the relative standard deviation ( RSD, n=3 ) was less than 3% and the relative error was 6%. The total amount of rare earth elements (ΣRE) in sediment samples from 16 stations varied in the range of 37. 25-134. 77 μg/g, the ratio range of light RE/heavy RE ( LRE/HRE) was 0 . 61-1 . 70 , the average value was 1 . 27 , and the enrichment of light rare earth elements in sediments was slightly obvious. The RE distribution patterns were basically the same in each station with obvious fractionation between LRE and HRE. The RE distribution patterns were also similar in sediments from different sources with slightly difference between terrestrial and marine sediments. The δEu and δCe in the sediments had negative anomaly which showed that the rare earth elements in sediments came from the seawater. This study first analyzed the content and distribution of rare earth elements in the southern Atlantic, providing data and technical support for further study of the distribution of rare earth elements in the Atlantic.