Octopuses,due to their flexible arms,marvelous adaptability,and powerful suckers,are able to effortlessly grasp and disengage various objects in the marine surrounding without causing devastation.However,manipulating ...Octopuses,due to their flexible arms,marvelous adaptability,and powerful suckers,are able to effortlessly grasp and disengage various objects in the marine surrounding without causing devastation.However,manipulating delicate objects such as soft and fragile foods underwater require gentle contact and stable adhesion,which poses a serious challenge to now available soft grippers.Inspired by the sucker infundibulum structure and flexible tentacles of octopus,herein we developed a hydraulically actuated hydrogel soft gripper with adaptive maneuverability by coupling multiple hydrogen bond-mediated supramolecular hydrogels and vat polymerization three-dimensional printing,in which hydrogel bionic sucker is composed of a tunable curvature membrane,a negative pressure cavity,and a pneumatic chamber.The design of the sucker structure with the alterable curvature membrane is conducive to realize the reliable and gentle switchable adhesion of the hydrogel soft gripper.As a proof-of-concept,the adaptive hydrogel soft gripper is capable of implement diversified underwater tasks,including gingerly grasping fragile foods like egg yolks and tofu,as well as underwater robots and vehicles that station-keeping and crawling based on switchable adhesion.This study therefore provides a transformative strategy for the design of novel soft grippers that will render promising utilities for underwater exploration soft robotics.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the genetic basis of Weill-Marchesani syndrome(WMS)in a Chinese family and clarify the pathogenic mechanism of novel ADAMTS17 mutations.METHODS:Comprehensive clinical assessments and genetic analyse...AIM:To investigate the genetic basis of Weill-Marchesani syndrome(WMS)in a Chinese family and clarify the pathogenic mechanism of novel ADAMTS17 mutations.METHODS:Comprehensive clinical assessments and genetic analyses were performed on a Chinese family with two affected siblings.Whole-exome sequencing(WES)was conducted for the proband and other family members.Bioinformatics tools were used to evaluate the conservation,predicted pathogenicity,and structural effects of the identified ADAMTS17 variants.In addition,protein structure modeling was applied to assess the functional impacts of the mutations.RESULTS:The proband(a 32-year-old male)and his elder sister(42y)presented typical clinical features of WMS,including short stature,brachydactyly,high myopia,ectopia lentis,and secondary glaucoma.WES identified a novel compound heterozygous mutation in ADAMTS17:a splicing mutation(c.451-2A>G)inherited from the father and a missense mutation(c.1043G>A;p.C348Y)inherited from the mother.The splicing mutation disrupted normal mRNA splicing and processing,leading to premature translation termination.The missense mutation,which is located in the metalloprotease catalytic domain,was predicted to abolish a critical disulfide bond,thereby impairing protein stability.Both mutations exhibited high evolutionary conservation and were predicted to be pathogenic by multiple bioinformatics algorithms.CONCLUSION:A novel compound heterozygous mutation in ADAMTS17 is identified in this WMS-affected Chinese family,and its pathogenicity is verified via bioinformatics analysis and protein structural modeling.These findings are expected to facilitate the genetic diagnosis of WMS and deepen the understanding of its molecular pathogenesis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Early renal artery thrombosis after kidney transplantation is rare but often leads to graft loss.Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential,particularly in patients with inherited thrombophilias such a...BACKGROUND Early renal artery thrombosis after kidney transplantation is rare but often leads to graft loss.Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential,particularly in patients with inherited thrombophilias such as factor V Leiden(FVL)mutation.CASE SUMMARY A kidney transplant recipient with FVL mutation developed an acute transplant renal artery thrombosis.The immediate post-operative Doppler ultrasonography revealed thrombosis of the main and inferior polar renal arteries.Emergent thrombectomy and separate arterial re-anastomoses were performed after cold perfusion with heparinized saline and vasodilator solution.Reperfusion was successful with immediate urine output and gradual improvement in renal function.The patient was discharged on direct oral anticoagulation therapy.CONCLUSION Early detection and surgical intervention can preserve graft function in posttransplant renal artery thrombosis even in patients at high risk.展开更多
Through studying several kinds of chaotic mappings' distributions of orbital points, we analyze the capabilityof the chaotic mutations based on these mappings. Nunerical experiments support our conclusions very we...Through studying several kinds of chaotic mappings' distributions of orbital points, we analyze the capabilityof the chaotic mutations based on these mappings. Nunerical experiments support our conclusions very well. Thecapability analysis also led to a self-adaptive mechanism of chaotic mutation. The introducing of the self-adaptivechaotic mutation can improve the performance of genetic algorithm very prominently.展开更多
BACKGROUND Patients harboring gene mutations like KRAS,NRAS,and BRAF demonstrate highly variable responses to chemotherapy,posing challenges for treatment optimization.Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),w...BACKGROUND Patients harboring gene mutations like KRAS,NRAS,and BRAF demonstrate highly variable responses to chemotherapy,posing challenges for treatment optimization.Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),with its noninvasive capability to assess tumor characteristics in detail,has shown promise in evaluating treatment response and predicting therapeutic outcomes.This technology holds potential for guiding personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual patient profiles,enhancing the precision and effectiveness of colorectal cancer care.AIM To create a multiparametric MRI-based predictive model for assessing chemotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer patients with gene mutations.METHODS This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital,analyzing 157 colorectal cancer patients with gene mutations treated between August 2022 and December 2023.Based on chemotherapy outcomes,the patients were categorized into favorable(n=60)and unfavorable(n=50)response groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of chemotherapy efficacy.A predictive nomogram was constructed using significant variables,and its performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)in both training and validation sets.RESULTS Univariate analysis identified that tumor differentiation,T2 signal intensity ratio,tumor-to-anal margin distance,and MRI-detected lymph node metastasis as significantly associated with chemotherapy response(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistics regression confirmed these four parameters as independent predictors.The predictive model demonstrated strong discrimination,with an AUC of 0.938(sensitivity:86%;specificity:92%)in the training set,and 0.942(sensitivity:100%;specificity:83%)in the validation set.CONCLUSION We established and validated a multiparametric MRI-based model for predicting chemotherapy response in colorectal cancer patients with gene mutations.This model holds promise for guiding individualized treatment strategies.展开更多
Inbreeding increases genome homozygosity within populations,which can exacerbate inbreeding depression by exposing homozygous deleterious alleles that are responsible for declines in fitness traits.In small population...Inbreeding increases genome homozygosity within populations,which can exacerbate inbreeding depression by exposing homozygous deleterious alleles that are responsible for declines in fitness traits.In small populations,genetic purging that occurs under the pressure of natural selection acts as an opposing force,contributing to a reduction of deleterious alleles.Both inbreeding and genetic purging are paramount in the field of conservation genomics.The Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)lives in small populations in the forests of Northeast Asia and is among the most endangered animals on the planet.Using genome-wide assessment and comparison,we reveal substantially higher and more extensive inbreeding in wild Amur tigers(F_(ROH)=0.50)than in captive individuals(F_(ROH)=0.24).However,a relatively reduced number of lossof-function mutations in wild Amur tigers is observed compared to captive individuals,indicating genetic purging of inbreeding load with relatively large-effect alleles.The higher ratio of homozygous mutation load and number of fixed damaging alleles in the wild population indicates a less-efficient genetic purging,with purifying selection also contributing to this process.These findings provide valuable insights for the future conservation of Amur tigers.展开更多
BACKGROUND Thrombophilia contributes to a significant increased risk of venous thromboembolism and can be either inherited or acquired.Hereditary thrombophilia may arise from various gene mutations,some of which have ...BACKGROUND Thrombophilia contributes to a significant increased risk of venous thromboembolism and can be either inherited or acquired.Hereditary thrombophilia may arise from various gene mutations,some of which have not even been adequately reported or poorly understood.Previous studies reported a rare and novel missense mutation in the prothrombin gene(p.Arg596Gln),known as prothrombin Belgrade.The mechanisms and therapeutic strategies associated with prothrombin Belgrade mutation have not been fully elucidated.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with recurrent systemic thrombosis induced by prothrombin Belgrade mutation.The patient suffered from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis that rapidly progressed to systemic thrombosis,alongside a family history of cerebral thrombosis,and no traditional risk factors or abnormal coagulation function.Whole-genome sequencing detected a novel and rare heterozygous prothrombin missense mutation,c.1787G>T(p.Arg596Gln),which was responsible for the major etiology of the systemic thrombosis.CONCLUSION This case strengthens our understanding about hereditary basis of thrombophilia and provokes considerations for therapeutic options on prothrombin Belgrade mutation.展开更多
BACKGROUND Through deeper understanding of targetable driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)over the past years,some patients with driver mutations have benefited from the targeted molecular therapies.A...BACKGROUND Through deeper understanding of targetable driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)over the past years,some patients with driver mutations have benefited from the targeted molecular therapies.Although the anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF mutations are not frequent subtypes in NSCLC,the availability of several targeted-drugs has been confirmed through a series of clinical trials.But little is clear about the proper strategy in rare BRAF G469A mutation,not to mention co-exhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF G469A mutations,which is extremely rare in NSCLC.CASE SUMMARY We present a patient to stage IVA lung adenocarcinoma with coexisting echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 rearrangement and BRAF G469A mutation.She received several targeted drugs with unintended resistance and suffered from unbearable adverse events.CONCLUSION Due to the rarity of co-mutations,the case not only enriches the limited literature on NSCLC harbouring BRAF G469A and echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 mutations,but also suggests the efficacy and safety of specific multiple-drug therapy in such patients.展开更多
Sotos syndrome is characterized by overgrowth features and is caused by alterations in the nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 1 gene.Attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is considered a neurodevelopme...Sotos syndrome is characterized by overgrowth features and is caused by alterations in the nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 1 gene.Attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is considered a neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorder in childhood.Genetic characteristics and clinical presentation could play an important role in the diagnosis of Sotos syndrome and ADHD.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has been used to assess medical images in Sotos syndrome and ADHD.The images process is considered to display in MRI while wavelet fusion has been used to integrate distinct images for achieving more complete information in single image in this editorial.In the future,genetic mechanisms and artificial intelligence related to medical images could be used in the clinical diagnosis of Sotos syndrome and ADHD.展开更多
Objective:Keratoconus(KC)is a progressive corneal ectasia disorder,arising from a myriad of causes including genetic predispositions,environmental factors,biomechanical influences,and inflammatory reactions.This study...Objective:Keratoconus(KC)is a progressive corneal ectasia disorder,arising from a myriad of causes including genetic predispositions,environmental factors,biomechanical influences,and inflammatory reactions.This study aims to identify potential pathogenetic gene mutations in patients with sporadic KC in the Han Chinese population.Methods:Twenty-five patients with primary KC as well as 50 unrelated population matched healthy controls,were included in this study to identify potential pathogenic gene mutations among sporadic KC patients in the Han Chinese population.Sanger sequencing and whole-exome sequencing(WES)were used to analyze mutations in the zinc finger protein 469(ZNF469)gene.Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the potential role of ZNF469 in KC pathogenesis.Results:Five novel heterozygous missense variants were identified in KC patients.Among them,2 compound heterozygous variants,c.8986G>C(p.E2996Q)with c.11765A>C(p.D3922A),and c.4423C>G(p.L1475V)with c.10633G>A(p.G3545R),were determined to be possible pathogenic factors for KC.Conclusion:Mutations in the ZNF469 gene may contribute to the development of KC in the Han Chinese population.These mutation sites may provide valuable information for future genetic screening of KC patients and their families.展开更多
BACKGROUND Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(KRAS),neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog(NRAS),and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1(BRAF)nucleotide variants may generate quantitatively or qua...BACKGROUND Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(KRAS),neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog(NRAS),and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1(BRAF)nucleotide variants may generate quantitatively or qualitatively various protein activities,which may be reflected in their differential association with tumor characteristics.AIM To examine the association between these mutations and colorectal cancer(CRC)progression stages.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 799 patients with CRC,whose tumor samples were examined for mutations in the hot-spots of the KRAS,NRAS,and BRAF genes at the University of Texas Medical Branch,spanning from January 2016 to July 2023.Statistical analyses were performed to assess the association of spe-cific nucleotide changes with tumor,nodes,and metastasis stages.RESULTS KRAS mutations were found in 39.5%of cases,NRAS mutations in 4.4%,and BRAF mutations in 6.0%.The KRAS p.Gly12Val and p.Gly13Asp mutations were positively associated with pathological stage 4 tumors.Additionally,the KRAS p.Gly12Asp and p.Gly12Val mutations were linked to an increased risk of distant metastasis.Meanwhile,the BRAF Val600Glu mutation was associated with a higher likelihood of lymph node involvement.CONCLUSION Our findings support the potential prognostic utility of specific KRAS(p.Gly12Val,p.Gly12Asp,and p.Gly13Asp)and BRAF p.Val600Glu mutations in CRC.These results are preliminary and require validation through larger,multi-center studies before they can be considered reliable in clinical practice.展开更多
Solid lubricating coatings play a crucial role in preventing friction and wear failure of the hot-end sliding components in aviation engines.In this study,VAlN/Ag multi-layer coatings with excellent interfacial matchi...Solid lubricating coatings play a crucial role in preventing friction and wear failure of the hot-end sliding components in aviation engines.In this study,VAlN/Ag multi-layer coatings with excellent interfacial matching were fabricated using a hybrid magnetron sputtering technique.The type and energy of discharge plasmas were analyzed to comprehend their effects on depositing coatings.The coatings exhibit self-adaptive lubrication properties during the designed consecutive friction with stepwise heating from 25℃to 650℃.The microstructure evolution during early friction facilitates sufficient tribo-chemical reaction at 650℃,leading to the formation of a distinctive"ball-on-rail"structure that significantly reduces friction coefficient.Based on the first-principles calculations,it was found that the bond energy of Ag-O is lower than that of V-O in both AgVO_(3)and Ag_(3)VO_(4),which promotes slipping along the(110)crystal plane and contributes to exceptional tribological properties.The fatigue wear failure mechanism of hard coatings under the thermal-force coupling effects has been elucidated,alongside an exploration of consecutive tribology mechanism at atomic scales over a wide temperature range.展开更多
BACKGROUND Only a few cases of diabetes mellitus with concurrent mutations in the mitochondrial MT-TL1 and CEL genes have been reported worldwide.Racial differences may influence mutation frequency,the presentation of...BACKGROUND Only a few cases of diabetes mellitus with concurrent mutations in the mitochondrial MT-TL1 and CEL genes have been reported worldwide.Racial differences may influence mutation frequency,the presentation of symptoms,and disease progression.This case report describes the clinical features,potential genetic mechanisms,and diagnostic complexity of young-onset diabetes mellitus with concurrent m.3243A>G mutation in MT-TL1 and c.1336G>A mutation in CEL.The objective is to inform precise typing,genetic counseling,and personalized treatment of monogenic diabetes mellitus,while expanding the evidence base on rare forms of diabetes mellitus.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old man,diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis six years earlier,presented with poor response to insulin therapy(glycated hemoglobin,15.35%),marked wasting(body mass index:15.06 kg/m2),sensorineural deafness,diabetic retinopathy,and peripheral neuropathy.Whole-exome sequencing revealed concurrent mutations:Mitochondrial MT-TL1 m.3243A>G(heteroplasmy 41.76%)and CEL c.1336G>A.Family investigation identified his mother,who also had diabetes,as a carrier of the CEL mutation,and his sister as harboring both mutations without diabetes.CONCLUSION This case highlights the genetic heterogeneity of monogenic diabetes and expands the known mutational spectrum.Comprehensive genetic testing is recommended to enhance diagnostic accuracy in cases of suspected monogenic diabetes.展开更多
Gecko-inspired van der Waals force-based adhesion technology demonstrates significant potential for robotic operations.While superior adhesion is achieved under parallel contact during testing,engineering operations o...Gecko-inspired van der Waals force-based adhesion technology demonstrates significant potential for robotic operations.While superior adhesion is achieved under parallel contact during testing,engineering operations often involve non-parallel contact,weakening adhesion,and compromising task stability and efficiency.Stable attachment under such non-parallel contacts remains challenging.Inspired by the soft muscle and rigid bone in the gecko’s sole,this study proposes a self-adaptive core-shell dry adhesive by embedding a thin,rigid piece into a soft,thick elastomer comprising a top adhesion tip with a mushroom-like geometry for interfacial adhesion based on the van der Waals force and a bottom core-shell configuration for interface stress regulation.Unlike traditional core-shell structures with a fixed“dead core,”the proposed“live core”rotates within the soft shell,mimicking skeletal joints.This enables stress equalization at the interface and facilitates adaptive contact to macroscopic interfacial angle errors.This innovative core-shell configuration demonstrates an adhesion strength 100 times higher than conventional homogeneous structures under non-parallel contact and offers anti-overturning ability by mitigating torsional effects.The proposed strategy can advance the development of gecko-inspired adhesion-based devices and systems.展开更多
Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins(SSBs)play essential roles in the replication,recombination and repair processes of organellar DNA molecules.In Arabidopsis thaliana,SSBs are encoded by a small family of two genes(...Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins(SSBs)play essential roles in the replication,recombination and repair processes of organellar DNA molecules.In Arabidopsis thaliana,SSBs are encoded by a small family of two genes(SSB1 and SSB2).However,the functional divergence of these two SSB copies in plants remains largely unknown,and detailed studies regarding their roles in the replication and recombination of organellar genomes are still incomplete.In this study,phylogenetic,gene structure and protein motif analyses all suggested that SSB1 and SSB2 probably diverged during the early evolution of seed plants.Based on accurate long-read sequencing results,ssb1 and ssb2 mutants had decreased copy numbers for both mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)and plastid DNA(ptDNA),accompanied by a slight increase in structural rearrangements mediated by intermediate-sized repeats in mt genome and small-scale variants in both genomes.Our findings provide an important foundation for further investigating the effects of DNA dosage in the regulation of mutation frequencies in plant organellar genomes.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of Chinese adolescents with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2(MODY 2)and the safety and efficacy of recombinant human growth hormon...Objective:To investigate the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of Chinese adolescents with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2(MODY 2)and the safety and efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone(r-hGH).Methods:The clinical features and laboratory data of a family with MODY 2 combined with partial growth hormone deficiency(pGHD),diagnosed at the Fourth Clinical Medical College of Xinjiang Medical University,were analyzed.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the column method,and Sanger sequencing was conducted to analyze the glucokinase(GCK),hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α(HNF1α),and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α(HNF4α)in the proband and relevant family members.Results:A heterozygous mutation in GCK(Reference sequence:NM_000162,location:Exon 10)c.1340G>A(p.R447Q)was detected in three family members(the proband,the proband’s younger brother,and their mother).The proband also had pGHD.Conclusion:GCK mutations causing MODY 2 exist in the Chinese population,and the combined treatment with r-hGH is safe and effective.展开更多
Certain amino acids changes in the human Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase pump,ATPase Na^(+)/K^(+)transporting subunit alpha 1(ATP1A1),cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2(CMT2)disease and refractory seizures.To develop in viv...Certain amino acids changes in the human Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase pump,ATPase Na^(+)/K^(+)transporting subunit alpha 1(ATP1A1),cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2(CMT2)disease and refractory seizures.To develop in vivo models to study the role of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase in these diseases,we modified the Drosophila gene homolog,Atpα,to mimic the human ATP1A1 gene mutations that cause CMT2.Mutations located within the helical linker region of human ATP1A1(I592T,A597T,P600T,and D601F)were simultaneously introduced into endogenous Drosophila Atpαby CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing,generating the Atpα^(TTTF)model.In addition,the same strategy was used to generate the corresponding single point mutations in flies(Atpα^(I571T),Atpα^(A576T),Atpα^(P579T),and Atpα^(D580F)).Moreover,a deletion mutation(Atpα^(mut))that causes premature termination of translation was generated as a positive control.Of these alleles,we found two that could be maintained as homozygotes(Atpα^(I571T)and Atpα^(P579T)).Three alleles(Atpα^(A576T),Atpα^(P579)and Atpα^(D580F))can form heterozygotes with the Atpαmut allele.We found that the Atpαallele carrying these CMT2-associated mutations showed differential phenotypes in Drosophila.Flies heterozygous for Atpα^(TTTF)mutations have motor performance defects,a reduced lifespan,seizures,and an abnormal neuronal morphology.These Drosophila models will provide a new platform for studying the function and regulation of the sodium-potassium pump.展开更多
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4(CTLA-4)plays a crucial role in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance,but its mechanisms of action are highly complicated.Here,through the generation of a gene knock-in(KI)...Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4(CTLA-4)plays a crucial role in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance,but its mechanisms of action are highly complicated.Here,through the generation of a gene knock-in(KI)mouse carrying a CTLA-4 Y139C human patient-derived pathogenic mutation,we phenocopied the lethal autoimmune diseases in Ctla4 KO mice due to the impairment of Treg functions.Interestingly,although both KO and KI Treg cells lost the ability to endocytose B7 molecules,the KO and KI mice differed in terms of T-cell proliferation since the KI mutation retained its ability to transmit inhibitory signals.Therefore,this study not only dissected the two distinct immunoregulatory mechanisms of CTLA-4 but also provided genetic evidence highlighting the importance of ligand trans-endocytosis in the function of CTLA-4.Our findings enhance our understanding of CTLA-4 function and CTLA-4 insufficiency disease,providing valuable insights for advancing improved immunotherapy strategies targeting CTLA-4.展开更多
In renewing tissues,mutations conferring selective advantage may result in clonal expansions1-4.In contrast to somatic tissues,mutations driving clonal expansions in spermatogonia(CES)are also transmitted to the next ...In renewing tissues,mutations conferring selective advantage may result in clonal expansions1-4.In contrast to somatic tissues,mutations driving clonal expansions in spermatogonia(CES)are also transmitted to the next generation.This results in an effective increase of de novo mutation rate for CES drivers5-8.CES was originally discovered through extreme recurrence of de novo mutations causing Apert syndrome5.Here,we develop a systematic approach to discover CES drivers as hotspots of human de novo mutation.Our analysis of 54,715 trios ascertained for rare conditions9-13,6,065 control trios12,14-19 and population variation from 807,162 mostly healthy individuals20 identifies genes manifesting rates of de novo mutations inconsistent with plausible models of disease ascertainment.We propose 23 genes hypermutable at loss-of-function(LoF)sites as candidate CES drivers.An extra 17 genes feature hypermutable missense mutations at individual positions,suggesting CES acting through gain of function.CES increases the average mutation rate roughly 17-fold for LoF genes in both control trios and sperm and roughly 500-fold for pooled gain-of-function sites in sperm21.Positive selection in the male germline elevates the prevalence of genetic disorders and increases polymorphism levels,masking the effect of negative selection in human populations.展开更多
Imagine a future where a single vaccine could protect you from a multitude of influenza strains,offering broad immunity with minimal risk.This vision is now closer to reality,thanks to a recent study that harnesses th...Imagine a future where a single vaccine could protect you from a multitude of influenza strains,offering broad immunity with minimal risk.This vision is now closer to reality,thanks to a recent study that harnesses the power of cellular proteins to create a new generation of live attenuated vaccines that outsmart flu’s relentless mutations.展开更多
基金the financial support from the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB0470303)the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFB4600101)+5 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52175201)the Research Program of Science and Technology Department of Gansu Province (24JRRA059, 24JRRA044, and 24YFFA014)the Science Fund of Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing at Yantai (AMGM2024F12)the Major Program (ZYFZFX-2) of the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, CASthe Special Research Assistant Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe Oasis Scholar of Shihezi University
文摘Octopuses,due to their flexible arms,marvelous adaptability,and powerful suckers,are able to effortlessly grasp and disengage various objects in the marine surrounding without causing devastation.However,manipulating delicate objects such as soft and fragile foods underwater require gentle contact and stable adhesion,which poses a serious challenge to now available soft grippers.Inspired by the sucker infundibulum structure and flexible tentacles of octopus,herein we developed a hydraulically actuated hydrogel soft gripper with adaptive maneuverability by coupling multiple hydrogen bond-mediated supramolecular hydrogels and vat polymerization three-dimensional printing,in which hydrogel bionic sucker is composed of a tunable curvature membrane,a negative pressure cavity,and a pneumatic chamber.The design of the sucker structure with the alterable curvature membrane is conducive to realize the reliable and gentle switchable adhesion of the hydrogel soft gripper.As a proof-of-concept,the adaptive hydrogel soft gripper is capable of implement diversified underwater tasks,including gingerly grasping fragile foods like egg yolks and tofu,as well as underwater robots and vehicles that station-keeping and crawling based on switchable adhesion.This study therefore provides a transformative strategy for the design of novel soft grippers that will render promising utilities for underwater exploration soft robotics.
文摘AIM:To investigate the genetic basis of Weill-Marchesani syndrome(WMS)in a Chinese family and clarify the pathogenic mechanism of novel ADAMTS17 mutations.METHODS:Comprehensive clinical assessments and genetic analyses were performed on a Chinese family with two affected siblings.Whole-exome sequencing(WES)was conducted for the proband and other family members.Bioinformatics tools were used to evaluate the conservation,predicted pathogenicity,and structural effects of the identified ADAMTS17 variants.In addition,protein structure modeling was applied to assess the functional impacts of the mutations.RESULTS:The proband(a 32-year-old male)and his elder sister(42y)presented typical clinical features of WMS,including short stature,brachydactyly,high myopia,ectopia lentis,and secondary glaucoma.WES identified a novel compound heterozygous mutation in ADAMTS17:a splicing mutation(c.451-2A>G)inherited from the father and a missense mutation(c.1043G>A;p.C348Y)inherited from the mother.The splicing mutation disrupted normal mRNA splicing and processing,leading to premature translation termination.The missense mutation,which is located in the metalloprotease catalytic domain,was predicted to abolish a critical disulfide bond,thereby impairing protein stability.Both mutations exhibited high evolutionary conservation and were predicted to be pathogenic by multiple bioinformatics algorithms.CONCLUSION:A novel compound heterozygous mutation in ADAMTS17 is identified in this WMS-affected Chinese family,and its pathogenicity is verified via bioinformatics analysis and protein structural modeling.These findings are expected to facilitate the genetic diagnosis of WMS and deepen the understanding of its molecular pathogenesis.
文摘BACKGROUND Early renal artery thrombosis after kidney transplantation is rare but often leads to graft loss.Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential,particularly in patients with inherited thrombophilias such as factor V Leiden(FVL)mutation.CASE SUMMARY A kidney transplant recipient with FVL mutation developed an acute transplant renal artery thrombosis.The immediate post-operative Doppler ultrasonography revealed thrombosis of the main and inferior polar renal arteries.Emergent thrombectomy and separate arterial re-anastomoses were performed after cold perfusion with heparinized saline and vasodilator solution.Reperfusion was successful with immediate urine output and gradual improvement in renal function.The patient was discharged on direct oral anticoagulation therapy.CONCLUSION Early detection and surgical intervention can preserve graft function in posttransplant renal artery thrombosis even in patients at high risk.
基金The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 60074020
文摘Through studying several kinds of chaotic mappings' distributions of orbital points, we analyze the capabilityof the chaotic mutations based on these mappings. Nunerical experiments support our conclusions very well. Thecapability analysis also led to a self-adaptive mechanism of chaotic mutation. The introducing of the self-adaptivechaotic mutation can improve the performance of genetic algorithm very prominently.
基金Supported by Shenzhen High-level Hospital Construction Fund.
文摘BACKGROUND Patients harboring gene mutations like KRAS,NRAS,and BRAF demonstrate highly variable responses to chemotherapy,posing challenges for treatment optimization.Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),with its noninvasive capability to assess tumor characteristics in detail,has shown promise in evaluating treatment response and predicting therapeutic outcomes.This technology holds potential for guiding personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual patient profiles,enhancing the precision and effectiveness of colorectal cancer care.AIM To create a multiparametric MRI-based predictive model for assessing chemotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer patients with gene mutations.METHODS This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital,analyzing 157 colorectal cancer patients with gene mutations treated between August 2022 and December 2023.Based on chemotherapy outcomes,the patients were categorized into favorable(n=60)and unfavorable(n=50)response groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of chemotherapy efficacy.A predictive nomogram was constructed using significant variables,and its performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)in both training and validation sets.RESULTS Univariate analysis identified that tumor differentiation,T2 signal intensity ratio,tumor-to-anal margin distance,and MRI-detected lymph node metastasis as significantly associated with chemotherapy response(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistics regression confirmed these four parameters as independent predictors.The predictive model demonstrated strong discrimination,with an AUC of 0.938(sensitivity:86%;specificity:92%)in the training set,and 0.942(sensitivity:100%;specificity:83%)in the validation set.CONCLUSION We established and validated a multiparametric MRI-based model for predicting chemotherapy response in colorectal cancer patients with gene mutations.This model holds promise for guiding individualized treatment strategies.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(2572022DQ03)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170517)+2 种基金the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write(2017B030301011)the Start-up Scientific Foundation of Northeast Forestry University(60201524043)supported by China National GeneBank(CNGB).
文摘Inbreeding increases genome homozygosity within populations,which can exacerbate inbreeding depression by exposing homozygous deleterious alleles that are responsible for declines in fitness traits.In small populations,genetic purging that occurs under the pressure of natural selection acts as an opposing force,contributing to a reduction of deleterious alleles.Both inbreeding and genetic purging are paramount in the field of conservation genomics.The Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)lives in small populations in the forests of Northeast Asia and is among the most endangered animals on the planet.Using genome-wide assessment and comparison,we reveal substantially higher and more extensive inbreeding in wild Amur tigers(F_(ROH)=0.50)than in captive individuals(F_(ROH)=0.24).However,a relatively reduced number of lossof-function mutations in wild Amur tigers is observed compared to captive individuals,indicating genetic purging of inbreeding load with relatively large-effect alleles.The higher ratio of homozygous mutation load and number of fixed damaging alleles in the wild population indicates a less-efficient genetic purging,with purifying selection also contributing to this process.These findings provide valuable insights for the future conservation of Amur tigers.
文摘BACKGROUND Thrombophilia contributes to a significant increased risk of venous thromboembolism and can be either inherited or acquired.Hereditary thrombophilia may arise from various gene mutations,some of which have not even been adequately reported or poorly understood.Previous studies reported a rare and novel missense mutation in the prothrombin gene(p.Arg596Gln),known as prothrombin Belgrade.The mechanisms and therapeutic strategies associated with prothrombin Belgrade mutation have not been fully elucidated.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with recurrent systemic thrombosis induced by prothrombin Belgrade mutation.The patient suffered from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis that rapidly progressed to systemic thrombosis,alongside a family history of cerebral thrombosis,and no traditional risk factors or abnormal coagulation function.Whole-genome sequencing detected a novel and rare heterozygous prothrombin missense mutation,c.1787G>T(p.Arg596Gln),which was responsible for the major etiology of the systemic thrombosis.CONCLUSION This case strengthens our understanding about hereditary basis of thrombophilia and provokes considerations for therapeutic options on prothrombin Belgrade mutation.
基金Supported by the Medical Education Collaborative Innovation Fund of Jiangsu University,No.JDY2022015。
文摘BACKGROUND Through deeper understanding of targetable driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)over the past years,some patients with driver mutations have benefited from the targeted molecular therapies.Although the anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF mutations are not frequent subtypes in NSCLC,the availability of several targeted-drugs has been confirmed through a series of clinical trials.But little is clear about the proper strategy in rare BRAF G469A mutation,not to mention co-exhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF G469A mutations,which is extremely rare in NSCLC.CASE SUMMARY We present a patient to stage IVA lung adenocarcinoma with coexisting echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 rearrangement and BRAF G469A mutation.She received several targeted drugs with unintended resistance and suffered from unbearable adverse events.CONCLUSION Due to the rarity of co-mutations,the case not only enriches the limited literature on NSCLC harbouring BRAF G469A and echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 mutations,but also suggests the efficacy and safety of specific multiple-drug therapy in such patients.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai,No.17ZR1431400National Key R and D Program of China,No.2017YFA0103902.
文摘Sotos syndrome is characterized by overgrowth features and is caused by alterations in the nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 1 gene.Attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is considered a neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorder in childhood.Genetic characteristics and clinical presentation could play an important role in the diagnosis of Sotos syndrome and ADHD.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has been used to assess medical images in Sotos syndrome and ADHD.The images process is considered to display in MRI while wavelet fusion has been used to integrate distinct images for achieving more complete information in single image in this editorial.In the future,genetic mechanisms and artificial intelligence related to medical images could be used in the clinical diagnosis of Sotos syndrome and ADHD.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation(82271057)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(2023JJ30818),China。
文摘Objective:Keratoconus(KC)is a progressive corneal ectasia disorder,arising from a myriad of causes including genetic predispositions,environmental factors,biomechanical influences,and inflammatory reactions.This study aims to identify potential pathogenetic gene mutations in patients with sporadic KC in the Han Chinese population.Methods:Twenty-five patients with primary KC as well as 50 unrelated population matched healthy controls,were included in this study to identify potential pathogenic gene mutations among sporadic KC patients in the Han Chinese population.Sanger sequencing and whole-exome sequencing(WES)were used to analyze mutations in the zinc finger protein 469(ZNF469)gene.Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the potential role of ZNF469 in KC pathogenesis.Results:Five novel heterozygous missense variants were identified in KC patients.Among them,2 compound heterozygous variants,c.8986G>C(p.E2996Q)with c.11765A>C(p.D3922A),and c.4423C>G(p.L1475V)with c.10633G>A(p.G3545R),were determined to be possible pathogenic factors for KC.Conclusion:Mutations in the ZNF469 gene may contribute to the development of KC in the Han Chinese population.These mutation sites may provide valuable information for future genetic screening of KC patients and their families.
文摘BACKGROUND Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(KRAS),neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog(NRAS),and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1(BRAF)nucleotide variants may generate quantitatively or qualitatively various protein activities,which may be reflected in their differential association with tumor characteristics.AIM To examine the association between these mutations and colorectal cancer(CRC)progression stages.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 799 patients with CRC,whose tumor samples were examined for mutations in the hot-spots of the KRAS,NRAS,and BRAF genes at the University of Texas Medical Branch,spanning from January 2016 to July 2023.Statistical analyses were performed to assess the association of spe-cific nucleotide changes with tumor,nodes,and metastasis stages.RESULTS KRAS mutations were found in 39.5%of cases,NRAS mutations in 4.4%,and BRAF mutations in 6.0%.The KRAS p.Gly12Val and p.Gly13Asp mutations were positively associated with pathological stage 4 tumors.Additionally,the KRAS p.Gly12Asp and p.Gly12Val mutations were linked to an increased risk of distant metastasis.Meanwhile,the BRAF Val600Glu mutation was associated with a higher likelihood of lymph node involvement.CONCLUSION Our findings support the potential prognostic utility of specific KRAS(p.Gly12Val,p.Gly12Asp,and p.Gly13Asp)and BRAF p.Val600Glu mutations in CRC.These results are preliminary and require validation through larger,multi-center studies before they can be considered reliable in clinical practice.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52025014)Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(No.LQ23E010002)+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo(No.2023QL049)Major Special Project of Ningbo(No.2023Z022).
文摘Solid lubricating coatings play a crucial role in preventing friction and wear failure of the hot-end sliding components in aviation engines.In this study,VAlN/Ag multi-layer coatings with excellent interfacial matching were fabricated using a hybrid magnetron sputtering technique.The type and energy of discharge plasmas were analyzed to comprehend their effects on depositing coatings.The coatings exhibit self-adaptive lubrication properties during the designed consecutive friction with stepwise heating from 25℃to 650℃.The microstructure evolution during early friction facilitates sufficient tribo-chemical reaction at 650℃,leading to the formation of a distinctive"ball-on-rail"structure that significantly reduces friction coefficient.Based on the first-principles calculations,it was found that the bond energy of Ag-O is lower than that of V-O in both AgVO_(3)and Ag_(3)VO_(4),which promotes slipping along the(110)crystal plane and contributes to exceptional tribological properties.The fatigue wear failure mechanism of hard coatings under the thermal-force coupling effects has been elucidated,alongside an exploration of consecutive tribology mechanism at atomic scales over a wide temperature range.
基金Supported by Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Project,No.20220203018SF。
文摘BACKGROUND Only a few cases of diabetes mellitus with concurrent mutations in the mitochondrial MT-TL1 and CEL genes have been reported worldwide.Racial differences may influence mutation frequency,the presentation of symptoms,and disease progression.This case report describes the clinical features,potential genetic mechanisms,and diagnostic complexity of young-onset diabetes mellitus with concurrent m.3243A>G mutation in MT-TL1 and c.1336G>A mutation in CEL.The objective is to inform precise typing,genetic counseling,and personalized treatment of monogenic diabetes mellitus,while expanding the evidence base on rare forms of diabetes mellitus.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old man,diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis six years earlier,presented with poor response to insulin therapy(glycated hemoglobin,15.35%),marked wasting(body mass index:15.06 kg/m2),sensorineural deafness,diabetic retinopathy,and peripheral neuropathy.Whole-exome sequencing revealed concurrent mutations:Mitochondrial MT-TL1 m.3243A>G(heteroplasmy 41.76%)and CEL c.1336G>A.Family investigation identified his mother,who also had diabetes,as a carrier of the CEL mutation,and his sister as harboring both mutations without diabetes.CONCLUSION This case highlights the genetic heterogeneity of monogenic diabetes and expands the known mutational spectrum.Comprehensive genetic testing is recommended to enhance diagnostic accuracy in cases of suspected monogenic diabetes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation(52025055,52175546,and 52405624)the Shaanxi University Youth Innovation Team.
文摘Gecko-inspired van der Waals force-based adhesion technology demonstrates significant potential for robotic operations.While superior adhesion is achieved under parallel contact during testing,engineering operations often involve non-parallel contact,weakening adhesion,and compromising task stability and efficiency.Stable attachment under such non-parallel contacts remains challenging.Inspired by the soft muscle and rigid bone in the gecko’s sole,this study proposes a self-adaptive core-shell dry adhesive by embedding a thin,rigid piece into a soft,thick elastomer comprising a top adhesion tip with a mushroom-like geometry for interfacial adhesion based on the van der Waals force and a bottom core-shell configuration for interface stress regulation.Unlike traditional core-shell structures with a fixed“dead core,”the proposed“live core”rotates within the soft shell,mimicking skeletal joints.This enables stress equalization at the interface and facilitates adaptive contact to macroscopic interfacial angle errors.This innovative core-shell configuration demonstrates an adhesion strength 100 times higher than conventional homogeneous structures under non-parallel contact and offers anti-overturning ability by mitigating torsional effects.The proposed strategy can advance the development of gecko-inspired adhesion-based devices and systems.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170238,32400191)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2023A1515111029)+2 种基金the Science,Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality(RCYX20200714114538196)the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Elite Youth Program(grant 110243160001007)the Guangdong Pearl River Talent Program(2021QN02N792)。
文摘Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins(SSBs)play essential roles in the replication,recombination and repair processes of organellar DNA molecules.In Arabidopsis thaliana,SSBs are encoded by a small family of two genes(SSB1 and SSB2).However,the functional divergence of these two SSB copies in plants remains largely unknown,and detailed studies regarding their roles in the replication and recombination of organellar genomes are still incomplete.In this study,phylogenetic,gene structure and protein motif analyses all suggested that SSB1 and SSB2 probably diverged during the early evolution of seed plants.Based on accurate long-read sequencing results,ssb1 and ssb2 mutants had decreased copy numbers for both mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)and plastid DNA(ptDNA),accompanied by a slight increase in structural rearrangements mediated by intermediate-sized repeats in mt genome and small-scale variants in both genomes.Our findings provide an important foundation for further investigating the effects of DNA dosage in the regulation of mutation frequencies in plant organellar genomes.
文摘Objective:To investigate the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of Chinese adolescents with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2(MODY 2)and the safety and efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone(r-hGH).Methods:The clinical features and laboratory data of a family with MODY 2 combined with partial growth hormone deficiency(pGHD),diagnosed at the Fourth Clinical Medical College of Xinjiang Medical University,were analyzed.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the column method,and Sanger sequencing was conducted to analyze the glucokinase(GCK),hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α(HNF1α),and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α(HNF4α)in the proband and relevant family members.Results:A heterozygous mutation in GCK(Reference sequence:NM_000162,location:Exon 10)c.1340G>A(p.R447Q)was detected in three family members(the proband,the proband’s younger brother,and their mother).The proband also had pGHD.Conclusion:GCK mutations causing MODY 2 exist in the Chinese population,and the combined treatment with r-hGH is safe and effective.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province,No.2020J02027the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31970461the Foundation of NHC Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-human Primate,Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital,No.2022-NHP-05(all to WC).
文摘Certain amino acids changes in the human Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase pump,ATPase Na^(+)/K^(+)transporting subunit alpha 1(ATP1A1),cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2(CMT2)disease and refractory seizures.To develop in vivo models to study the role of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase in these diseases,we modified the Drosophila gene homolog,Atpα,to mimic the human ATP1A1 gene mutations that cause CMT2.Mutations located within the helical linker region of human ATP1A1(I592T,A597T,P600T,and D601F)were simultaneously introduced into endogenous Drosophila Atpαby CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing,generating the Atpα^(TTTF)model.In addition,the same strategy was used to generate the corresponding single point mutations in flies(Atpα^(I571T),Atpα^(A576T),Atpα^(P579T),and Atpα^(D580F)).Moreover,a deletion mutation(Atpα^(mut))that causes premature termination of translation was generated as a positive control.Of these alleles,we found two that could be maintained as homozygotes(Atpα^(I571T)and Atpα^(P579T)).Three alleles(Atpα^(A576T),Atpα^(P579)and Atpα^(D580F))can form heterozygotes with the Atpαmut allele.We found that the Atpαallele carrying these CMT2-associated mutations showed differential phenotypes in Drosophila.Flies heterozygous for Atpα^(TTTF)mutations have motor performance defects,a reduced lifespan,seizures,and an abnormal neuronal morphology.These Drosophila models will provide a new platform for studying the function and regulation of the sodium-potassium pump.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China Grants 31930038,U21A20199,32141004,and 32350007(to LL)an innovative research team of high-level local universities in Shanghai SHSMU-ZLCX 20211600(to LL)+1 种基金the Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province LQ22H030012China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2022M720087(to KXZ).
文摘Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4(CTLA-4)plays a crucial role in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance,but its mechanisms of action are highly complicated.Here,through the generation of a gene knock-in(KI)mouse carrying a CTLA-4 Y139C human patient-derived pathogenic mutation,we phenocopied the lethal autoimmune diseases in Ctla4 KO mice due to the impairment of Treg functions.Interestingly,although both KO and KI Treg cells lost the ability to endocytose B7 molecules,the KO and KI mice differed in terms of T-cell proliferation since the KI mutation retained its ability to transmit inhibitory signals.Therefore,this study not only dissected the two distinct immunoregulatory mechanisms of CTLA-4 but also provided genetic evidence highlighting the importance of ligand trans-endocytosis in the function of CTLA-4.Our findings enhance our understanding of CTLA-4 function and CTLA-4 insufficiency disease,providing valuable insights for advancing improved immunotherapy strategies targeting CTLA-4.
文摘In renewing tissues,mutations conferring selective advantage may result in clonal expansions1-4.In contrast to somatic tissues,mutations driving clonal expansions in spermatogonia(CES)are also transmitted to the next generation.This results in an effective increase of de novo mutation rate for CES drivers5-8.CES was originally discovered through extreme recurrence of de novo mutations causing Apert syndrome5.Here,we develop a systematic approach to discover CES drivers as hotspots of human de novo mutation.Our analysis of 54,715 trios ascertained for rare conditions9-13,6,065 control trios12,14-19 and population variation from 807,162 mostly healthy individuals20 identifies genes manifesting rates of de novo mutations inconsistent with plausible models of disease ascertainment.We propose 23 genes hypermutable at loss-of-function(LoF)sites as candidate CES drivers.An extra 17 genes feature hypermutable missense mutations at individual positions,suggesting CES acting through gain of function.CES increases the average mutation rate roughly 17-fold for LoF genes in both control trios and sperm and roughly 500-fold for pooled gain-of-function sites in sperm21.Positive selection in the male germline elevates the prevalence of genetic disorders and increases polymorphism levels,masking the effect of negative selection in human populations.
文摘Imagine a future where a single vaccine could protect you from a multitude of influenza strains,offering broad immunity with minimal risk.This vision is now closer to reality,thanks to a recent study that harnesses the power of cellular proteins to create a new generation of live attenuated vaccines that outsmart flu’s relentless mutations.
