Genetic etiology and pregnancy outcomes of fetal hyperechoic kidneys: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Fetal hyperechoic kidney is an important soft marker in prenatal ultrasonography; however, the causes of this phenomenon are unclear. Therefore, we analyzed genetic diagnosis results, assessed pregnancy outcomes, and conducted postnatal follow-up to provide evidence for prenatal eugenics.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 94 cases with fetal hyperechoic kidneys identified between November 2017 and January 2024.

Screening efficacy of erythroferrone and hepcidin in identifying thalassemia with iron-deficiency anemia among pregnant women.

This study investigated the prevalence of Thalassemia (Thal) gene in pregnant women in the Quanzhou area, China. And explored the clinical application value of Erythroferrone (ERFE) and Hepcidin in screening pregnant women with Thal complicated by Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA, defined as serum ferritin (SF) < 20 μg/L). From January 2020 to December 2022, the detection rate of Thal in suspected Thal populations was 35.

Tumor Stiffness-Enhanced Room Temperature Phosphorescence Imaging Using Dual-Ligand Nanoprobes.

Organic room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials offer high tumor-to-background imaging contrast owing to their long afterglow and minimal autofluorescence interference. In this work, a targeted phosphorescent nanoprobe is prepared based on a pyrene/benzophenone (PyBP) guest-host system and further functionalized it with folic acid and cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide for enhanced tumor specificity. In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) xenograft models, this dual-ligand nanoprobe can help achieve a four-fivefold increase in the tumor signal over the background.

Physiological changes and gene expression in the mixotrophic haptophyte, Prymnesium parvum, respond to mixed nitrogen sources.

Prymnesium parvum is a toxin-producing haptophyte that adapts to various conditions in aquaculture wastewater, using strategies like allelopathy, toxicity, and predation to survive. However, knowledge about physiological and genetic responses of P. parvum to mixed nitrogen sources in aquaculture wastewater is still limited.

Etiology and outcomes of fetal renal abnormalities in Southern China: a single-tertiary-center study.

Background: Although renal abnormalities are common during fetal growth, the etiology remains largely unclear. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of fetuses with renal anomalies and the corresponding etiologies. We retrospectively analyzed data from 1,019 cases for which chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was performed; 58 CMA-negative fetuses were selected for whole-exome sequencing (WES).

Pan-cancer analysis and experimental validation revealed that prognostic biomarker APOBEC3C may promote M2-type macrophage polarization and prevent R-loop accumulation in glioma.

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3C (APOBEC3C) is a member of the cytidine deaminase gene family. The function of APOBEC3C in pan-cancer and its capacity as a prognostic biomarker in gliomas remains unclear. A systematic bioinformatics analysis was used to examine the function of APOBEC3C in pan-cancer.

Hematological analysis of alpha-thalassemia: A single-center, retrospective clinical study.

Objectives: To determine the optimal cutoffs of the three indicators (MCV, MCH and HbA2) for alpha-thalassemia screening and to evaluate the validity of these indicators in Fujian Province, China.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on the results of specimens received from May 2016 to April 2023. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to confirm the optimal cutoffs of the screening indicators.

Construction of Chitin-Based Composite Hydrogel via AlCl/ZnCl/HO Ternary Molten Salt System and Its Flexible Sensing Performance.

Bio-based ionic conductive hydrogels have attracted significant attention for use in wearable electronic sensors due to their inherent flexibility, ionic conductivity, and biocompatibility. However, achieving a balance between high ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a simple yet effective strategy for fabricating a polyelectrolyte-chitin double-network hydrogel (CAA) via the copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) with chitin in an AlCl-ZnCl-HO ternary molten salt system.

Detector-based boundary synchronization control of hidden Markov jump reaction-diffusion neural networks.

This paper addresses the passive synchronization control problem for continuous-time hidden Markov jump reaction-diffusion neural networks via a detector-based boundary control method. The abrupt variations in parameters and structure in networks are modeled as a hidden Markov jump model encompassing the hidden state and the observed state. The model relaxes the assumption of fully observable states in a Markov process by estimating the hidden states using a detector.

Effects of microencapsulated antimicrobial peptides on the growth, immunity, infection resistance, gut microbiota, and gene transcriptome in Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) larvae.

Pathogenic infections are a major cause of high mortality rates in bivalve hatcheries. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), recognized for their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low potential to induce antibiotic resistance, have attracted increasing attention. In this study, two AMPs derived from crab and scallop were heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris.

Primary pelvic retroperitoneal smooth muscle tumor with cystic degeneration: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Primary retroperitoneal tumors are sporadic and most often malignant. Primary pelvic retroperitoneal smooth muscle tumors are a very rare benign disease that occurs most often in female patients, especially in perimenopausal women. Its occurrence is often hormone-related.

Comparative performance and health economic analysis of prenatal screening for down syndrome in Fujian province, China.

To compare the performance of first-trimester serum screening (FTSS) and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in detecting fetal chromosomal aneuploidies trisomy 21 (T21) and trisomy 18 (T18), and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and clinical feasibility of four screening strategies for the prevention of Down syndrome (DS) from a health economics perspective. This retrospective study included 33,559 pregnant women who underwent DS screening at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between February 25, 2022, and December 29, 2023. Participants were divided into an FTSS group (n = 23,136) and an NIPT group (n = 10,423) based on the type of screening received.

Application of non-invasive prenatal testing for fetal chromosomal disorders in low-risk pregnancies: a follow-up study in central China.

Objective: To evaluate the performance and screening value of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in low-risk pregnancies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60193 low-risk pregnancies over the last 5 years. Whole-genome sequencing of maternal plasma cell-free DNA was performed using next-generation sequencing.

Prenatally and postnatally sequential genetic etiology detection in corpus callosum abnormalities.

To evaluate the clinical utility of genetic testing via karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and exome sequencing in cases with corpus callosum abnormalities (CCA). Here, 65 prenatal and 12 postnatal cases diagnosed with CCA via ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examination were enrolled. All cases were divided into two groups: 21 (27.

Preferred Parallel Alignment of Sulfonamide Enables High-performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Molecule additives emerge as a highly effective strategy for enhancing the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), owing to their potential in suppressing intrinsic defects in perovskite. However, the influence of atomic configuration and electronic properties of additives on their passivation performance receives little attention. Here, two benzenesulfonamide derivatives, 4-carboxybenzenesulfonamide (CO-BSA) and 4-cyanobenzenesulfonamide (CN-BSA) are investigated, examining the effects of molecules with different electron‑acceptor functional groups on the defect passivation of perovskite layer and the photovoltaic properties of perovskite solar cells (PSCs.

Self-Driven Seeding, Acid Stalling, and Solidifying: Time-Resolved Mapping of Nonclassical Pathways in Metal-Organic Gel Assembly.

Metal-organic gels (MOGs), an innovative subset of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), feature hierarchically porous architecture and self-shaping monolithic morphologies, demonstrating them significantly potential for advanced applications in catalysis, gas storage, and energy conversion. Despite their functional versatility, the synthesis of MOGs remains empirical, as the actual formation mechanisms are largely unexplored. Here, a multiscale characterization strategy integrating time-resolved in-situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Zr K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analyses are systematically employed to elucidate the formation mechanism of UiO-66(Zr) gel.

Fujian Province β-Thalassemia: A Molecular and Hematological Study in Southeastern China.

This study aims to investigate the mutation spectrum of β-thalassemia in Fujian Province, China, and to comprehensively analyze the correlation between age, gender, genotype, and hematological parameters in carriers of β-thalassemia. Genotypes of 10,350 subjects suspected of having thalassemia were analyzed using reverse dot blotting (RDB) or β-globin gene sequencing. Their hematological indices were analyzed by genotype, gender, and age.

Multi-omics characterization of oncosis in spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates a cascade of complex secondary damage processes, prominently involving programmed cell death (PCD). Although apoptosis and necroptosis have been extensively characterized, the role of oncosis in SCI remains inadequately understood. In this study, we examined the expression dynamics and cellular localization of oncosis-related genes (ORGs) following SCI.

Upregulation of miR-17-3p is associated with HbF in patients with β-thalassemia and induces γ-globin expression by targeting BCL11A.

Background: Large number of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be dysregulated in β-thalassemia, but their roles in β-thalassemia are poorly reported. This study aims to investigate the clinical significance of miR-17-3p in β-thalassemia, and to elucidate its regulatory effect on erythropoiesis and γ-globin expression.

Methods: We collected peripheral blood samples from 17 patients with β-thalassemia (including intermedia and major subtypes) and 17 healthy controls, and the expression levels of miR-17-3p, BCL11 transcription factor A (BCL11A) and γ-globin were detected by qRT-PCR, and their correlations were analyzed.

Active Passivation Charge Transport in n-i-p Perovskite Solar Cells Approaching 26% Efficiency.

In n-i-p planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the electron transport layer (ETL) and the hole transporting layer play a crucial role in realizing high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, a TiO-SDBA-SnO stacked ETL is reported, where 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (SDBA) serves as an active passivation agent to suppress charge recombination and enhance interface quality. SDBA effectively passivates oxygen vacancies in sputtered TiO, while simultaneously promoting SnO nucleation and improving film quality.

Regional patterns of genetic variants in expanded carrier screening: a next-generation sequencing pilot study in Fujian Province, China.

Background: This pilot study aimed to characterize the regional distribution of genetic variants associated with autosomal recessive and X-linked recessive (AR/XLR) conditions in Fujian Province, Southeast China, to inform the development of targeted carrier screening programs.

Methods: An expanded carrier screening (ECS) panel utilizing next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was designed to analyze 332 genes associated with 343 AR/XLR conditions. The panel was applied to 440 samples obtained from individuals in Fujian Province.

Identification and validation of immune-related and inflammation-related genes in endometriosis.

Aim: Endometriosis is characterized by immune evasion and progressive inflammation. This study aimed to identify key genes related to immune and inflammation in endometriosis.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes between patients with and without endometriosis were identified from the GEO database.

Dissolution of zero-valent Al and its structural transformation in chloride molten salts.

Molten salts are extensively used in the aluminum production and recycling industries. In this study, we discovered that metallic Al can directly dissolve into molten salts in its zero-valent state, forming nanoclusters-an unusual phenomenon as metals typically dissolve in molten salts in various oxidation states due to corrosion. The dissolved Al can gradually oxidize due to water or oxygen impurities during its diffusion within the molten salts.

Targeted lipidomic reveals dietary LA/n-3 PUFAs regulate inflammation and redox status via oxylipins in bivalves.

Oxylipins are bioactive lipid mediators derived from fatty acids; however, a comprehensive investigation of oxylipin profiles is absent in bivalves. Moreover, the physiological functions and bioactivities of PUFA-derived oxylipins warrant further exploration. In this study, we found that appropriate dietary linoleic acid (LA)/n-3 PUFAs enhanced the growth of the clam Sinonovacula constricta and improved its survival under hydrogen peroxide (HO) stress.

Incidental finding of a exons 48-55 deletion during prenatal diagnosis.

Background: genetic variants cause a spectrum of phenotypes, from severe progressive proximal muscle weakness and degeneration leading to wheelchair dependence and death from cardiac and/or respiratory failure to very mild muscular phenotypes; very rarely, cases are completely asymptomatic. Few cases have been reported in males carrying deletions who are asymptomatic.

Methods: Family clinical information was collected from the patients.