AIM: To detect the expression levels of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)X-inactive specific transcript(XIST)and silencing information regulatory factor 2 associated enzyme 1(SIRT1)in serum of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), and to explore their correlation with diabetic retinopathy(DR)and their diagnostic value. METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 214 patients with T2DM admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the research subjects. Based on whether retinopathy occurred, they were divided into 126 cases(126 eyes)in the non-DR group and 88 cases(88 eyes)in the DR group. An additional 130 healthy individuals who underwent a physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. The serum levels of lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 in the three groups were measured and compared. The relationship between lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 expression with DR was analyzed using Pearson's method. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum lncRNA XIST, SIRT1, and their combination for DR. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors affecting the occurrence of DR in T2DM patients.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the levels of serum lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 in the non-DR group and DR group were successively decreased(all P<0.05). The levels of serum lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 were positively correlated in DR patients(r=0.639, P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for predicting DR by combining serum lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 was 0.940, which was higher than the AUC by serum lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 alone(0.855, 0.875). Logistic regression analysis showed that lncRNA XIST(OR=0.752)and SIRT1(OR=0.694)were influencing factors for the occurrence of DR(both P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The serum levels of lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 are both lower in DR patients, and the combination of lncRNA XIST and SIRT1 has a better assessment capacity for the occurrence of DR.

Objective To observe the value of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics based on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)for predicting histological grade of breast cancer.Methods Preoperative DWI data of 700 patients with single breast cancer diagnosed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into training set(n= 560,including 381 of grade Ⅰ+Ⅱ and 179 of grade Ⅲ)and test set(n=140,including 95 of grade Ⅰ+Ⅱ and 45 of grade Ⅲ)at the ratio of 8∶2.Intratumoral ROI(ROIintra)was manually delineated on DWI,which was automatically expanded by 3 mm and 5 mm to decline peritumoral ROI(ROIperi,including ROI3 mm and ROI5 mm),then intratumoral-peritumoral ROI(ROIintra+3 mm,ROIintra+5 mm)were obtained.The optimal radiomics features were extracted and screened,and the radiomics model(RM)for predicting the histological grade of breast cancer were constructed.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,and the areas under the curve(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy of each model.Calibration curve method was used to evaluate the calibration degree,while decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed to explore the clinical practicability of each model.Results AUC of RMintra,RM+3 mm,RM+5mm,RMintra+3 mm and RMintra+5 mm was 0.750,0.724,0.749,0.833 and 0.807 in training set,while was 0.723,0.718,0.736,0.759 and 0.782 in test set,respectively.In training set,significant differences of AUC was found(all P＜0.01),while in test set,no significant difference of AUC was found among models(all P＞0.05).The calibrations of models were all high.DCA showed that taken 0.02-0.88 as the threshold,the clinical net benefit of RMintra+per were greater in training set,while taken 0.40-0.72 as the threshold,the clinical net benefit of RMintra+per was greater in test set.Conclusion Both DWI intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics could effectively predict histological grade of breast cancer.Combination of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics was more effective.

Objective To investigate the role of member septin family(SEPT12)in human spermatogenesis and its influence on sperm motility and sperm ultrastructure.Methods Whole exome sequencing(WES)was performed on peripheral blood DNA extracted from 375 patients with asthenoteratozoospermia,and a patient with idiopathic in-fertility carrying compound heterozygous mutation of SEPT12 was screened out.Sanger sequencing was performed to verify the mutation,and co-segregation analysis was performed in the family.The morphological abnormalities of sperm were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and the ultra-structural defects of sperm were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Then the effects of the muta-tion on the level and position of the protein and the changes of the location and level of the defect structure markers were analyzed by Western blot and immune-fluorescence(IF).Results The compound heterozygous mutations c.C332A(p.Ti111K)and c.406_416 del TGCTCGTATTG(p.q136 VFS*39)in the SEPT12 gene were screened and identified in a patient with asthenoteratozoospermia.The mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing,which was consistent with the co-segregation genetic pattern of the family.The mutations resulted in loss of protein expres-sion,decreased sperm motility and sperm morphological deformities,mainly including short tail,curly tail and ir-regular sperm head.The ultrastructure of sperm showed that the annulus between the mid-piece and the principle-piece was missing,the acrosome membrane of sperm head fell off and the nucleus contained vacuoles.In the mid-piece of sperm flagella,the arrangement of mitochondrial sheath was disordered,most of flagella axoneme central pair was absent,microtubules doublet was missing or disordered,and some radical spoke was absent.By Western blot and IF,the marker proteins of related structural components were detected,and the results showed that the level of SEPT4 protein decreased,SEPT6 protein unchanged,acrosomal related proteins ACTL7A and ACROSIN protein missing,and the expression levels of mitochondrial and axoneme related proteins TOMM20,SPAG6 and RSPH3 protein significantly decreased.Conclusion The deletion of SEPT12 protein caused by SEPT12 gene mu-tation leads to the deletion of the annulus between the mid-piece and the principle-piece,and the abnormal assem-bly of sperm acrosome,mitochondrial sheath and flagella.

Background::Total human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA and integrated HIV DNA are widely used markers of HIV persistence. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) can be used for absolute quantification without needing a standard curve. Here, we developed duplex ddPCR assays to detect and quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA.Methods::The limit of detection, dynamic ranges, sensitivity, and reproducibility were evaluated by plasmid constructs containing both the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) and human CD3 gene (for total HIV DNA) and ACH-2 cells (for integrated HIV DNA). Forty-two cases on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assayed in total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA. Correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the data related to DNA copies and cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4 +) T-cell counts, CD8 + T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, respectively. The assay linear dynamic range and lower limit of detection (LLOD) were also assessed. Results::The assay could detect the presence of HIV-1 copies 100% at concentrations of 6.3 copies/reaction, and the estimated LLOD of the ddPCR assay was 4.4 HIV DNA copies/reaction (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.6-6.5 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 5-log 10-unit range in total HIV DNA assay. For the integrated HIV DNA assay, the LLOD was 8.0 copies/reaction (95% CI: 5.8-16.6 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 3-log 10-unit range. Total HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells was positively associated with integrated HIV DNA ( r = 0.76, P <0.0001). Meanwhile, both total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells were inversely correlated with the ratio of CD4/CD8 but positively correlated with the CD8 + T-cell counts. Conclusions::This ddPCR assay can quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA efficiently with robustness and sensitivity. It can be readily adapted for measuring HIV DNA with non-B clades, and it could be beneficial for testing in clinical trials.

Objective:To analyze the application effect of the information platform based on the Internet of Things (IoT) in the screening and management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 151 062 residents who participated in the screening in the districts covered by 33 general hospitals and 289 primary medical institutions within the framework of Henan Provincial Center for COPD Prevention and Treatment from November 2021 to October 2022 were included as the subjects. Spirometer based on the IoT was used to conduct pulmonary function tests for subjects who scored 16 points or more with COPD Screening Questionnaire (COPD-SQ), and the subjects were evaluated and managed through the structured electronic data in the information platform. The distribution characteristics and follow-up of the subjects and COPD patients were described and the application effect of this strategy in patients screening and management was analyzed.Results:A total of 151 062 residents with complete basic information in the information platform completed the questionnaire. High-risk population of COPD accounted for 26.5% (40 042/151 062) of the population who received the questionnaire screening, and more than 50% had respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough (59.4%), or shortness of breath (77.6%). The proportion of high-risk population increased with age, especially after 50 years old. Compared with non-smokers, the proportion of high-risk group was significantly higher (77.1% vs 16.4%) in the group with smoking index over 600. Biofuel exposure (61.3% vs 22.1%) and family history of respiratory diseases (64.2% vs 22.6%) were associated with an increased proportion of high-risk groups, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.001). 5 268 patients were diagnosed with COPD by pulmonary function tests, and the prevalence of COPD in high-risk groups was 27.8% (5 268/18 965), the prevalence rate of male was 34.0% (3 942/11 588), which was higher than that of female 18.0% (1 326/7 377). 2 950 patients (56.0%) completed at least one follow-up of symptom questionnaire and 510 patients (9.7%) completed more than one follow-up of pulmonary function test. Conclusion:The screening and management strategy of COPD based on the IoT and information technology can improve the efficiency of COPD screening, and improve the status quo of under-diagnosis and discontinuous follow-up of COPD.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints/genetics* ; Checkpoint Kinase 1/metabolism* ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mitosis/genetics* ; Mutation ; Zygote/metabolism*

Objective : To investigate the predictive value of serum homocysteine(HCY) level on the risk of miscarriage in polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer(FET). Methods: 536 PCOS patients and 550 non-PCOS patients with fallopian tube factors(control group) retrospectively were analyzed.The basic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups.Also, the basic characteristics between the miscarriage group and the live birth group in PCOS patients were compared.The predictive value of Hcy on the miscarriage of PCOS patients after FET treatment was analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, body mass index(BMI),testosterone(T),Hcy, fasting insulin(FINS),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),total cholesterol(TC),number of retrieved oocytes and miscarriage rate increased in PCOS group, while high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),high-quality embryo rate and live birth rate decreased, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Among PCOS patients, Hcy, FINS and HOMA-IR increased in the miscarriage group compared with live birth group, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Hcy, FINS and HOMA-IR were independent risk factors for miscarriage in PCOS patients, and the predictive value of Hcy for miscarriage in PCOS patients was greater than FINS and HOMA-IR,and the area under ROC curve(AUC) was 0.829(95%CI=0.755-0.902,P<0.001),the cut-off value was 15.975 μmol/L with a 79.0% sensitivity and a 87.4% specificity, which indicated high predictive value for miscarriage in patients with PCOS. Conclusion Serum Hcy level significantly increased in PCOS patients, which has an important predictive value for miscarriage after FET treatment.

Objective:To understand the current situation of nurses in 52 hospitals in China on mastery of knowledge about skin injury in the elderly based on the background of mixed-mode homogenization training.Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 1 067 nurses from 52 hospitals in China were selected as the research objects in January 2021. A self-designed questionnaire on knowledge of skin injury in the elderly was used to investigate the nurses through the questionnaire star and univariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors. A total of 1 067 questionnaires were distributed and 1 067 valid questionnaires were recovered, and the effective recovery rate was 100%.Results:The knowledge scores of pressure injury, incontinence-associated dermatitis, skin tear and xerosis cutis among 1067 nurses were (95.66±7.37) , (95.65±9.15) , (91.37±15.45) and (87.67±15.91) , respectively. The results of univariate analysis showed that hospital grade was the influencing factor of nurses' knowledge score of pressure injury, skin tear and incontinence-associated dermatitis ( P<0.05) , educational background was the influencing factor of nurses' knowledge score of skin tear ( P<0.05) , professional title was the influencing factor of nurses' knowledge scores of pressure injury, incontinence-associated dermatitis and xerosis cutis ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Hospitals at all levels need to strengthen the theoretical and practical knowledge training for nurses on skin xerosis and skin tear in the elderly, especially for nurses with primary titles and lower education in grassroots hospitals.

Objective:To explore the status and influencing factors of incontinence-associated dermatitis among elderly inpatients in 52 hospitals nationwide, and to analyze the nursing of elderly inpatients with incontinence, so as to provide a reference for clinical intervention.Methods:On March 31, 2021, convenience sampling was used to select 14 675 elderly inpatients from 52 hospitals across the country as the research object. The self-designed Incontinence-associated Dermatitis Questionnaire for Elderly Inpatients was used to collect general demographic data, health status, incontinence, and skin nursing. Binomial Logistic regression was used to investigate the influencing factors of incontinence-associated dermatitis in elderly inpatients.Results:Among 14 675 elderly inpatients, the prevalence rates of xerosis cutis, incontinence and incontinence-associated dermatitis were 38.78% (5 691/14 675) , 11.06% (1 623/14 675) and 1.91% (280/14 675) , respectively. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe incontinence-associated dermatitis were 1.27% (186/14 675) , 0.55% (81/14 675) , and 0.09% (13/14 675) , respectively. Among the nursing of 1 623 elderly inpatients with incontinence, the items with low implementation rate were the use neutral lotion to clean skin (14.17%, 230/1 623) , use of skin protectant after moisturizing (17.68%, 287/1 623) , moisturizing after cleansing the skin (28.90%, 469/1 623) . The results of binomial Logistic regression analysis showed that xeroderma, fecal incontinence, urinary and fecal incontinence, ≥2 kinds of combined medication, and hospital stay >30 days were risk factors for incontinence-associated dermatitis in elderly inpatients.Conclusions:The risk factors of incontinence-associated dermatitis in elderly inpatients mainly include xerosis cutis, type of incontinence, ≥2 kinds of combined medication, and hospital stay >30 days.

Objective To compare the difference of diagnostic ability between ultrasound radiomics ( USR) and different conventional imaging models of central neck ( Ⅵ ) lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma ( PTC) . Methods A training set of 609 cases was set up . USR features were extracted and screened by USR method . A weighted formula was established to calculate the USR score of each patient by ultrasound image . T he USR score of the best diagnostic ability was obtained by statistical method and set as the diagnostic criterion . A test set of 326 cases was established to compare the diagnostic ability of USR score with ultrasound ( US ) ,computed tomography ( CT ) and US combined CT . Results T he accuracy ,sensitivity ,specificity ,area under ROC curve and Youden index of USR score in test set were 0 .804 ,0 .867 ,0 .770 ,0 .766 ,0 .533 ,respectively ,which were significantly higher than the corresponding values of US ,CT and US combined CT ( all P ＝ 0 .000 ) . Conclusions USR score obtained with USR method can effectively predict lymph node metastasis in Ⅵ region of PTC . T he diagnostic efficiency and clinical value of USR score were significantly higher than those of conventional medical imaging models .