Co-exposure to microplastics and soil pollutants significantly exacerbates toxicity to crops: Insights from a global meta and machine-learning analysis.

Environmental contamination of microplastics (MPs) is ubiquitous worldwide, and co-contamination of arable soils with MPs and other pollutants is of increasing concern, and may lead to unexpected consequences on crop production. However, the overall implications of this combined effect, whether beneficial or detrimental, remain a subject of current debate. Here, we conducted a global meta and machine-learning analysis to evaluate the effects of co-exposure to MPs and other pollutants on crops, utilizing 3346 biological endpoints derived from 68 different studies. Overall, compared with control groups that only exposure to conventional soil contaminants, co-exposure significantly exacerbated toxicity to crops, particularly with MPs intensifying adverse effects on crop morphology, oxidative damage, and photosynthetic efficiency. Interestingly, our analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the accumulation of pollutants in the crop due to the presence of MPs. In addition, the results revealed that potential adverse effects were primarily associated with crop species, MPs mass concentration, and exposure duration. Our study reaffirms the substantial repercussions of MPs as emerging pollutants on crops within the context of integrated pollution, providing novel insights into improving sustainability in agro-ecosystems.

Genetic Analysis of a Fetus with 14q11.2 Microdeletion in Ultrasound Abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the genetic basis of a fetus with ultrasound indicating a thickening of the nuchal translucency (NT) and a choroid plexus cyst. METHODS: Fetal amniotic fluid and peripheral blood were collected for a G-banding karyotype analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) detection. RESULTS: The chromosome karyotypes of the fetus and its parents were normal. SNP-array showed the fetus had carried 277 kb microdeletion at 14q11.2, which was a new mutation. After the induced abortion, the fetus was diagnosed with macrocephaly. CONCLUSIONS: A prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with 14q11.2 microdeletion-induced intrauterine growth retardation was confirmed, which has provided guidance for the subsequent pregnancy.

Melatonin mitigates the lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial injury in rats by blocking the p53/xCT pathway-mediated ferroptosis.

This article examined the therapeutic effect of melatonin (MT) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial injury, and the mechanisms involved. Septic rat model was constructed by exposing to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and treated by MT, Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and Erastin (Era). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was executed to appraise myocardial injury. H9c2 cells that exposed to LPS to induce in vitro sepsis cell model were treated by MT. p53 overexpression vectors were transfected into H9c2 cells. Inflammation- and ferroptosis-related indicators were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of p53, xCT and GPX4 was scrutinized by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. MT relieved myocardial injury in septic rats. It decreased IL-6 and TNF-α, elevated GPX4 and GSH, and reduced MDA and Fe2+ in myocardial tissues of septic rats. LPS induced p53 elevation and xCT reduction in rats' myocardial tissues. Nevertheless, MT treatment declined p53 and increased xCT in myocardial tissues of septic rats. Interestingly, the relieving effect of MT on myocardial injury in septic rats was enhanced by Fer-1, but reversed by Era. The LPS-induced H9c2 cell damage was relieved by MT treatment. Besides, MT decreased LDH, IL-6 and TNF-α, elevated xCT, GPX4 and GSH, and reduced MDA and Fe2+ in the LPS-induced H9c2 cells. Conversely, these influences of MT on the LPS-induced H9c2 cells were reversed by p53 overexpression. MT is proposed to be a promising agent for treating the LPS-induced myocardial injury, as it relieves myocardial injury by hindering the p53/xCT-mediated ferroptosis in the LPS-induced septic rats.

Study on 1550 nm Human Eye-Safe High-Power Tunnel Junction Quantum Well Laser.

Falling within the safe bands for human eyes, 1550 nm semiconductor lasers have a wide range of applications in the fields of LIDAR, fast-ranging long-distance optical communication, and gas sensing. The 1550 nm human eye-safe high-power tunnel junction quantum well laser developed in this paper uses three quantum well structures connected by two tunnel junctions as the active region; photolithography and etching were performed to form two trenches perpendicular to the direction of the epitaxial layer growth with a depth exceeding the tunnel junction, and the trenches were finally filled with oxides to reduce the extension current. Finally, a 1550 nm InGaAlAs quantum well laser with a pulsed peak power of 31 W at 30 A (10 KHz, 100 ns) was realized for a single-emitter laser device with an injection strip width of 190 µm, a ridge width of 300 µm, and a cavity length of 2 mm, with a final slope efficiency of 1.03 W/A, and with a horizontal divergence angle of about 13° and a vertical divergence angle of no more than 30°. The device has good slope efficiency, and this 100 ns pulse width can be effectively applied in the fields of fog-transparent imaging sensors and fast headroom ranging radar areas.

Effects of Prophylactic Antibiotics on Intestinal Microflora Diversity in Preterm Infants: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of prenatal prophylactic antibiotics on the diversity of intestinal flora in premature infants, with a focus on elucidating the rationale behind this investigation and the potential impact of altered intestinal flora on the health of preterm infants, such as increased susceptibility to infections, impaired nutrient absorption, and compromised immune function. Methods: Relevant literature consistent with the effects of prenatal prophylactic antibiotics on intestinal flora diversity in preterm infants was systematically searched and screened from both domestic and foreign databases, including Wanfang Medical Center, CNKNET, VIpp, and PubMed. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. Inclusion criteria for the study were: (1) comparison of prophylactic antibiotic use versus non-use, (2) no restrictions on subjects' characteristics, (3) follow-up loss < 20%, (4) institutional approval, (5) publication within the time frame from January 2017 to December 2022, (6) minimal missing data or suppliable by author contact, and (7) no major errors in sequencing or detection. Outcome measures included intestinal flora composition, phylum flora content, abundance index, and Shannon index, comparing antibiotic-treated and non-treated groups. RevMan 5.2 software was used for statistical analysis. Counting data was expressed as risk ratio (RR), and weighted mean difference (WMD) or standard mean difference (SMD) was selected as analysis statistics. Results: The study encompassed five Chinese literature sources, with one deemed low quality and four high quality. No significant publication bias was observed. Among the included studies, a significant reduction in the intestinal flora abundance index ACE was noted in the treated group compared to the non-treated group (RR: -8.10, 95% CI: -8.81 to -7.40, P < .00001). ACE estimates species richness in a microbial community by considering both abundant and rare species. Higher ACE values indicate greater diversity. Similarly, the Shannon diversity index was lower in the medication group compared to the non-medication group (RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.82, P < .00001). Shannon Diversity Index measures species diversity and evenness within a community. Higher values indicate higher diversity, considering both the number of species and their relative abundance. Analysis of Firmicutes content revealed a higher level in the treated group (RR: -6.44, 95% CI: -7.26 to -5.63, P < .00001). Additionally, lower Proteus (RR: 10.96, 95% CI: 9.47 to 12.45, P < .00001) and Klebsiella (RR: 15.96, 95% CI: 15.31 to 16.62, P < .00001) content was observed in the treated group. Conversely, Enterococcus content was higher in the treated group (RR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.84 to 2.52, P < .00001), along with a higher proportion of Enterococcus (RR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.76, P = .003). These findings collectively suggest that prophylactic antibiotic use in preterm infants significantly alters the composition of intestinal flora. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that prophylactic antibiotic use in preterm infants leads to a notable reduction in intestinal flora diversity, potentially impacting their health outcomes. Decreased microbial diversity has been linked to gastrointestinal issues, infections, and weakened immune function. These results highlight the importance of cautious antibiotic use in this vulnerable population and the need for further research to better understand and mitigate the potential health implications.

Recyclable V2O5/g-C3N4 Heterojunction-Catalyzed Visible-Light-Promoted C3-H Trifluoromethylation of Quinoxalin-2-(1H)-ones.

A visible-light-initiated C-H trifluoromethylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was established using a Z-scheme V2O5/g-C3N4 heterojunction as a recyclable photocatalyst in an inert atmosphere at room temperature under additive-free and mild conditions. A variety of trifluoromethylated quinoxalin-2-(1H)-one derivatives were heterogeneously generated in moderate to high yields, exhibiting good functional group tolerance. Remarkably, the recyclable V2O5/g-C3N4 catalyst could be reused five times with a slight loss of catalytic activity.

[Genetic analysis of a fetus with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome due to a 18q21.2q21.31 microdeletion].

OBJECTIVE: To carry out invasive prenatal diagnosis for a fetus with ultrasound-indicated agenesis of corpus callosum and explore its genetic etiology. METHODS: A pregnant woman presented at the Affiliated Hospital of Putian College on December 16, 2022 was selected as the study subject. Amniotic fluid and peripheral blood samples from the fetus and the couple were collected. Conventional G-banded chromosomal karyotyping was carried out, and whole-genome copy number variation analysis was performed using single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP-array). RESULTS: The karyotypes of the fetus and the couple were normal by the G-banding analysis. SNP-array analysis of the amniotic fluid sample revealed a 4.5 Mb microdeletion in the 18q21.2q21.31 region of the fetus. SNP-array analysis of peripheral blood samples from the couple did not find any abnormality. CONCLUSION: Through G-banded chromosomal karyotyping and SNP-array analysis, a fetus with 18q21.2q21.31 microdeletion was identified, which has conformed to the diagnosis of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. Above finding has provided a basis for genetic counseling for the couple.

Fabrication and Characterization of Silicon-Based Antimonene Thin Film via Electron Beam Evaporation.

Antimonene has attracted much attention due to its excellent characteristics of high carrier mobility, thermoelectric properties and high stability. It has great application prospects in Q-switched lasers, laser protection and spintronics. At present, the epitaxy growth of antimonene mainly depends on molecular beam epitaxy. We have successfully prepared antimonene films on silicon, germanium/silicon substrates for the first time using electron beam evaporation coating and studied the effects of the deposition rate and substrate on the preparation of antimonene; film characterization was performed via confocal microprobe Raman spectroscopy, via X-ray diffraction and using a scanning electron microscope. Raman spectroscopy showed that different deposition rates can lead to the formation of different structures of antimonene, such as α phase and ß phase. At the same time, it was found that the growth of antimonene is also affected by different substrates and ion beams.

A Smart Cane Based on 2D LiDAR and RGB-D Camera Sensor-Realizing Navigation and Obstacle Recognition.

In this paper, an intelligent blind guide system based on 2D LiDAR and RGB-D camera sensing is proposed, and the system is mounted on a smart cane. The intelligent guide system relies on 2D LiDAR, an RGB-D camera, IMU, GPS, Jetson nano B01, STM32, and other hardware. The main advantage of the intelligent guide system proposed by us is that the distance between the smart cane and obstacles can be measured by 2D LiDAR based on the cartographer algorithm, thus achieving simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). At the same time, through the improved YOLOv5 algorithm, pedestrians, vehicles, pedestrian crosswalks, traffic lights, warning posts, stone piers, tactile paving, and other objects in front of the visually impaired can be quickly and effectively identified. Laser SLAM and improved YOLOv5 obstacle identification tests were carried out inside a teaching building on the campus of Hainan Normal University and on a pedestrian crossing on Longkun South Road in Haikou City, Hainan Province. The results show that the intelligent guide system developed by us can drive the omnidirectional wheels at the bottom of the smart cane and provide the smart cane with a self-leading blind guide function, like a "guide dog", which can effectively guide the visually impaired to avoid obstacles and reach their predetermined destination, and can quickly and effectively identify the obstacles on the way out. The mapping and positioning accuracy of the system's laser SLAM is 1 m ± 7 cm, and the laser SLAM speed of this system is 25~31 FPS, which can realize the short-distance obstacle avoidance and navigation function both in indoor and outdoor environments. The improved YOLOv5 helps to identify 86 types of objects. The recognition rates for pedestrian crosswalks and for vehicles are 84.6% and 71.8%, respectively; the overall recognition rate for 86 types of objects is 61.2%, and the obstacle recognition rate of the intelligent guide system is 25-26 FPS.

Feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted psychological first aid training intervention (Preparing Me) to support the mental health and well-being of front-line healthcare workers in China: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Background: Psychological first aid (PFA) training helps to prepare healthcare workers (HCWs) to manage trauma and stress during healthcare emergencies, yet evidence regarding its effectiveness and implementation is lacking.Method: A two-arm feasibility randomized controlled trial design was conducted in a Chinese tertiary hospital. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either a culturally adapted PFA training (the intervention arm) or psychoeducation (the control arm). Feasibility indicators and selected outcomes were collected.Results: In total, 215 workers who expressed an interest in participating in the trial were screened for eligibility, resulting in 96 eligible participants being randomly allocated to the intervention arm (n = 48) and control arm (n = 48). There was a higher retention rate for the face-to-face PFA training session than for the four online group PFA sessions. Participants rated the PFA training as very helpful (86%), with a satisfaction rate of 74.25%, and 47% reported being able to apply their PFA skills in responding to public health emergencies or providing front-line clinical care. Positive outcome changes were observed in PFA knowledge, skills, attitudes, resilience, self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, and post-traumatic growth. Their scores on depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout measures all declined. Most of these changes were sustained over 3 months (p < .05). Repeated measures analysis of variance found statistically significant interaction effects on depression (F2,232 = 2.874, p = .046, ηp2 = .031) and burnout (F2,211 = 3.729, p = .018, ηp2 = .037), indicating a greater reduction in symptoms of depression and burnout with PFA compared to psychoeducation training.Conclusion: This culturally adapted PFA training intervention was highly acceptable among Chinese HCWs and was feasible in a front-line care setting. Preliminary findings indicated positive changes for the PFA training intervention on knowledge, skills, attitudes, resilience, self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, and post-traumatic growth, especially a reduction of depression and burnout. Further modifications are recommended and a fully powered evaluation of PFA training is warranted.

Psychological first aid (PFA) training was culturally adapted and evaluated to help prepare healthcare workers to manage trauma and stress during healthcare emergencies.This culturally adapted PFA training was highly acceptable among Chinese healthcare workers and was feasible in a front-line care setting.Preliminary findings show positive changes for the PFA training intervention on knowledge, skills, attitudes, resilience, self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, and post-traumatic growth, especially a reduction of depression and burnout.

A novel mitovirus isolated from the filamentous fungus Hypoxylon fendleri.

Members of the fungal genus Hypoxylon of the family Xylariaceae are known to produce secondary metabolites with significant chemical diversity. There are more than 200 species in the genus, including the filamentous fungus Hypoxylon fendleri. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of mycoviruses in H. fendleri. In this study, a novel mycovirus, designated "Hypoxylon fendleri mitovirus 1" (HfMV1), was isolated from this fungus. The genome of HfMV1 is 2850 nt in length with a G + C content of 36% and contains a large open reading frame (ORF) encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). BLASTp analysis revealed that the RdRp domain of HfMV1 had 28.30-50.90% sequence identity to those of members of the genus Duamitovirus and had the highest identity (50.90%) to Fusarium graminearum mitovirus 2-2 (FgMV2-2). Phylogenetic analysis further indicated that HfMV1 is a member of the genus Duamitovirus of the family Mitoviridae. This is the first report of a mycovirus in H. fendleri.

[Genetic analysis of a Chinese family affected with α-dystroglycanopathy due to variant of B3GALNT2 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with recurrent fetal hydrocephalus. METHODS: A couple who had presented at the Affiliated Hospital of Putian College on March 3, 2021 was selected as the study subject. Following elective abortion, fetal tissue and peripheral blood samples were respectively obtained from the abortus and the couple, and were subjected to whole exome sequencing. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The fetus was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the B3GALNT2 gene, namely c.261-2A>G and c.536T>C (p.Leu179Pro), which were inherited from its father and mother, respectively.According to the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were classified as pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting; PM3+PM2_Supporting+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION: The compound heterozygous variants of the B3GALNT2 gene probably underlay the α-dystroglycanopathy in this fetus. Above results have provided a basis for genetic counseling of this pedigree.

RBFOX2 confers tumor growth by PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling in gastric cancer.

RNA-binding Fox (RBFOX)2, a member of a family of RNA-binding proteins, is well known as a regulator of alternative pre-mRNA splicing. However, its possible role in gastric cancer is unknown. In this study, we investigated the biologic role and clinical significance of RBFOX2 in gastric cancer growth and elucidated its underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that RBFOX2 was highly expressed in gastric cancer cell lines and tumor tissue compared with the adjacent nontumor tissue. We also found that RBFOX2 overexpression was correlated with poor overall survival in patients with gastric cancers. Multivariate survival analyses revealed that higher RBFOX2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival of patients with gastric cancers. Suppression of RBFOX2 by shRNA inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation, colony formation and induced apoptosis. Mechanism studies revealed that these effects were achieved through the simultaneous modulation of multiple signaling pathways. Knockdown of RBFOX2 expression by shRNA markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxy kinase, threonine kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Jun N-terminal kinases proteins. In contrast, the ectopic expression of RBFOX2 had the opposite effects. Moreover, RBFOX2 knockdown also induced the cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteins. Collectively, these results demonstrate that RBFOX2 plays a critical role in regulating gastric cancer cell proliferation and survival and may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Laser Sensing and Vision Sensing Smart Blind Cane: A Review.

Laser sensing and vision sensing smart canes can improve the convenience of travel for the visually impaired, but for the present, most of the system functions of laser sensing and vision sensing smart canes are still defective. Guide equipment and smart blind canes are introduced and classified first, and the smart blind canes based on vision sensing, laser sensing and laser vision sensing are investigated, respectively, and the research status of laser vision sensing smart blind canes is sorted out. The advantages and disadvantages of various laser vision sensing smart blind canes are summarized, especially the research development of laser vision fusion as the core of new smart canes. The future development prospects of laser vision sensing smart blind cane are overviewed, to boost the development of laser vision sensing smart blind cane, to provide safe and efficient travel guarantee for the visually impaired.

Research Progress of Wide Tunable Bragg Grating External Cavity Semiconductor Lasers.

In this paper, we review the progress of wide tunable Bragg grating external cavity semiconductor lasers (BG-ECSLs). We concentrate on BG-ECSLs based on the wide tunable range for multicomponent detection. Wide tunable BG-ECSLs have many important applications, such as wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems, coherent optical communications, gas detection and atom cooling. Wide tunability, narrow linewidth and a high side-mode suppression ratio BG-ECSLs have attracted much attention for their merits. In this paper, three main structures for achieving widely tunable, narrow linewidth, high side-mode suppression ratio BG-ECSLs are reviewed and compared in detail, such as the volume Bragg grating (VBG) structure, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) structure and waveguide Bragg grating (WBG) structure of ECSLs. The advantages and disadvantages of different structures of BG-ECSLs are analyzed. The results show that WBG-ECSLs are a potential way to realize the integration, small size, wide tuning range, stable spectral output and high side-mode suppression ratio laser output. Therefore, the use of WBG as optical feedback elements is still the mainstream direction of BG-ECSLs, and BG-ECSLs offer a further new option for multicomponent detection and multi-atoms cooling.

Structural Design of Ocean Temperature and Depth Sensor with Quick Response and High Sensitivity.

The electrical sensing elements used in the traditional XBT (Expendable Bathythermograph) have problems such as low sensitivity and slow response time, and it is difficult to overcome the complex marine environment using the time-depth formula. In this paper, an ocean temperature depth sensor based on brass diaphragm and liquid filling is designed. The stress response time of FBGs with different lengths and the heat transfer time of different liquid materials are compared, and it is found that a fast response of 51 ms can be obtained by using GaInSn liquid for temperature sensing. The center deflection changes of brass diaphragms with different radii are analyzed, and the brass diaphragms with radius and thickness of 10 mm and 1 mm are selected, which still have good elastic properties under the pressure of 5 MPa. The influence of the inner metal shell section radius on the temperature and depth sensitivity is analyzed. When the final section radius is 3 mm, the temperature sensitivity of the sensor is 1.065 nm/°C, the pressure sensitivity is 1.245 nm/MPa, and the response time of temperature and depth is relatively close. Compared with the traditional temperature and depth sensors using empirical formulas for calculation, the data accuracy is improved, and a wide range of sensitivity can be tuned by adjusting the size of the internal metal shell, which can meet the needs of ocean temperature and depth data detection with high sensitivity and fast response time.

Design of a Fiber Bragg Grating Pressure Sensor Based on a Metal Diaphragm and Lever Structure.

In this paper, a pressure sensor based on a metal diaphragm and lever structure is designed, the sensing principle and mechanical structure of this sensor are analyzed and simulated, and its sensitization effectiveness and temperature compensation are verified. The maximum deflections of metal diaphragms of different sizes and materials were compared, and it was found that the square beryllium bronze diaphragm with a thickness of 1 mm and a side length of 20 mm had good elastic properties. The influence of the FBG in different positions of the lever on the center wavelength is analyzed. The sensitivity of the bare FBG is markedly improved under the influence of the two structures of the square elastic diaphragm and the lever, with a typical pressure sensitivity of 3.35 nm/MPa at 3 mm to the left of the lever center. The purpose of temperature compensation is achieved by adding another FBG that measures the temperature, and the sensing sensitivity can be tuned by adjusting the position of the FBG. It can meet the detection needs of a small range and high sensitivity.

[Diagnosis and counseling for a Chinese pedigree affected with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly 5 due to variants of ASPM gene].

OBJECTIVE: To detect potential mutation of the ASPM gene in a Chinese pedigree affected with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly 5 (MCPH5). METHODS: Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the proband and her parents. Amniotic fluid sample was also collected upon her mother' s subsequent pregnancy. Following extraction of genomic DNA, PCR and Sanger sequencing were carried out to identify potential variants of the ASPM gene. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the ASPM gene, namely c.8214dupT (p.Q2739fs) in exon 18 and c.9541C>T (p.R3181X) in exon 23, which were respectively inherited from her father and mother. The fetus has found to have inherited the c.9541C>T (p.R3181X) variant only. CONCLUSION: The c.8214dupT (p.Q2739fs) and c.9541C>T (p.R3181X) compound heterozygous variants of the ASPM gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of MCPH5 in this patient. Above finding has enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for her family.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Associations With Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to investigate whether retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness could become a potential marker in patients with Parkinson's disease with cognitive impairment (PD-CI). METHODS: Fifty-seven PD patients and 45 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in our cross-sectional study and completed optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluations. PD with normal cognition (PD-NC) and cognitive impairment (PD-CI) patients were divided following the 2015 Movement Disorder Society criteria. RNFL thickness was quantified in subfields of the 3.0-mm circle surrounding the optic disk; while a battery of neuropsychiatric assessments was conducted to estimate the Parkinsonism severity. General linear models and one-way ANOVA were adopted to assess RNFL thickness between subgroups with different cognitive statuses; logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the relation between RNFL and PD-CI cases. RESULTS: Compared with HCs, more thinning of the RNFL was observed in the inferior and temporal sectors in PD patients, especially in the PD-CI group. Inferior RNFL thickness was reduced in PD-CI compared with PD-NC patients. Logistic regression analysis found that inferior RNFL thickness was independently associated with PD-CI cases (odds ratio = 0.923, p = 0.014). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the RNFL-involved combined model provided a high accuracy in screening cognitive deficiency in PD cases (area under the curve = 0.85, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Reduced RNFL thickness especially in the inferior sector is independently associated with PD-CI patients. Our study present new perspectives into verifying possible indicators for neuropathological processes or disease severity in Parkinsonians with cognitive dysfunction.

[Analysis of HNF1B gene variant in a fetus featuring infantile polycystic kidney disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a fetus featuring infantile polycystic kidney disease (IPKD). METHODS: Following elective abortion, fetal tissue and peripheral blood samples of its parents were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to detect potential variants correlated with the phenotype. RESULTS: The fetus was found to harbor a heterozygous c.1370C>T (p.P457L) variant of the HNF1B gene, which was unreported previously. The same variant was not detected in either parent. CONCLUSION: The heterozygous c.1370C>T (p.P457L) variant of the HNF1B gene probably underlay the IPKD in this fetus. Above finding has enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.