A family with early onset myopathy caused by MEGF10 gene defect and literature review / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To summarize the genetic and clinical phenotypic characteristics of patients with early-onset myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress and dysphagia (EMARDD) caused by multiple epidermal growth factor 10 (MEGF10) gene defect. Methods: The clinical data of 3 infants in 1 family with EMARDD caused by MEGF10 gene defect diagnosed in the Department of Neonatology, Xiamen Children's Hospital in April 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Using "multiple epidermal growth factor 10" "myopathy" or "MEGF10" "myopathy" as the key words, and searching the relevant literature reports of CNKI, Wanfang Database and PubMed Database from the establishment of the database to September 2022. Combined with this family, the main clinical information and genotype characteristics of EMARDD patients caused by MEGF10 gene defect were summarized. Results: The proband, male, first infant of monozygotic twins, was admitted to hospital 7 days after birth "due to intermittent cyanosis with weak sucking". The infant had dysphagia accompanied with cyanosis of lips during feeding and crying after birth. Physical examination on admission revealed reduced muscle tone of the extremities, flexion of the second to fifth fingers of both hands with limited passive extension of proximal interphalangeal joints, and limited abduction of both hips. He was diagnosed as dysphagia of newborn, congenital dactyly. After admission, he was given limb and oral rehabilitation training, breathing gradually became stable and oral feeding fully allowed, and discharged along with improvement. The younger brother of the proband was admitted to the hospital at the same time, and his clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment process were the same as those of the proband. The elder brother of the proband died at the age of 8 months due to the delayed growth and development, severe malnutrition, hypotonia, single palmoclal crease and weak crying. A whole exon sequencing of the family was done, and found that the 3 children were all compound heterozygous variations at the same site of MEGF10 gene, with 2 splicing variants (c.218+1G>A, c.2362+1G>A), which came from the father and mother respectively, and the new variation was consistent with the autosomal recessive inheritance model. Three children were finally diagnosed as EMARDD caused by MEGF10 gene defect. There are 0 Chinese literature and 18 English literature that met the search conditions. Totally 17 families including 28 patients were reported. There were 31 EMARDD patients including 3 infants from this family. Among them, there were 13 males and 18 females. The reported age of onset ranged from 0 to 61 years. Except for 5 patients with incomplete clinical data, 26 patients were included in the analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. The clinical features were mainly dyspnea (25 cases), scoliosis (22 cases), feeding difficulties (21 cases), myasthenia (20 cases), and other features including areflexia (16 cases) and cleft palate or high palatal arch(15 cases). Muscle biopsy showed non-specific changes, with histological characteristics ranging from slight muscle fiber size variation to minicores change which was seen in all 5 patients with at least 1 missense mutation of allele. In addition, the adult onset was found in patients with at least 1 missense variant of MEGF10 gene. Conclusions: MEGF10 gene defect related EMARDD can occur in the neonatal period, and the main clinical features are muscle weakness, breathing and feeding difficulties. Patients with myopathy who have at least 1 missense mutation and muscle biopsy indicating minicores change may be relatively mild.

Value of High-Frequency Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Pronator Teres Syndrome / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the clinical value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of pronator teres syndrome (PTS). Methods The high-frequency ultrasound was employed to examine and measure the median nerve of the pronator teres muscle in 30 patients with PTS and 30 healthy volunteers (control group).The long-axis diameter (LA),short-axis diameter (SA) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve were measured.The receiver operating characteristic curve of the median nerve ultrasonic measurement results was established,and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.The diagnostic efficiency of each index for PTS was compared with the surgical results as a reference. Results The PTS group showed larger LA[(5.02±0.50) mm vs.(3.89±0.41) mm;t=4.38,P=0.013],SA[(2.55±0.46) mm vs.(1.70±0.41) mm;t=5.19,P=0.009],and CSA[(11.13±3.72) mm2 vs.(6.88±2.68) mm2;t=8.42,P=0.008] of the median nerve than the control group.The AUC of CSA,SA,and LA was 94.3% (95%CI=0.912-0.972,Z=3.586,P=0.001),77.7% (95%CI=0.734-0.815,Z=2.855, P=0.006),and 78.8% (95%CI=0.752-0.821,Z=3.091,P=0.004),respectively.With 8.63 mm2 as the cutoff value,the sensitivity and specificity of CSA in diagnosing PTS were 93.3% and 90.0%,respectively. Conclusion High-frequency ultrasound is a practical method for diagnosing PTS,and the CSA of median nerve has a high diagnostic value.

Efficacy of second-stage Masquelet technique with 3D-printed quantitative bone implants for the treatment of long-segment bone defect following Gustilo type IIIB and IIIC tibial fractures / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of 3D-printed quantitative bone implants assisting second-stage Masquelet technique for the treatment of long-segment bone defect following Gustilo type IIIB and IIIC tibial fractures.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was made on 26 patients with long-segment bone defect following Gustilo type IIIB and IIIC tibial fractures treated in Wuxi Ninth People′s Hospital from July 2015 to December 2020, including 20 males and 6 females; aged 19-63 years [(46.5±4.5)years]. Gustilo classification was type IIIB in 23 patients and type IIIC in 3. In the first stage, all patients had thoroughly emergent debridement, removal of all free bone pieces, restoration of the length and force line plus externally fixion, and vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) of the residual wound. After 2-7 days, the external fixation was removed and replaced by internal fixation, with the bone cement filling in the defect area and the free flap covering the wound. The length of tibial bone defect was 5-14 cm [(6.3±0.4)cm], and the tibial defect volume was 12.2-73.1 cm 3 [(33.6±9.2)cm 3]. In the second stage (6-19 weeks after injury), the bone cement was removed, followed by autologous bone grafting. Prior to bone grafting, digital technology was used to accurately calculate the bone defect volume, and an equal volume of bone harvesting area was designe to produce the 3D printed osteotomy template. Bone grafting was conducted after bone removal according to the osteotomy template during operation. The success rate of one-time iliac bone extraction, bone harvesting time, and bleeding volume were recorded. Pain in the bone extraction area was evaluated by visual analogue score (VAS) at 1 day and 1 month after operation and at the last follow-up. Wound healing, complications, and bone healing were observed. Life quality was evaluated by health survey brief form (SF-36) including scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) before bone grafting and at the last follow-up. Results:All the patients were followed up for 13-53 months [(32.3±12.5)months]. One-time iliac bone extraction was successful in all the patients. Bone harvesting time was 15-30 minutes [(21.0±2.5)minutes]. The bleeding volume was 50-120 ml [(62.3±29.0)ml]. The VAS was 1-4 points [(1.2±0.9)points] at 1 day after operation, higher than these (0.0±0.0)points at 1 month after operation and at the last follow-up (all P<0.01). Totally, 25 patients obtained wound healing after operation, except for 1 patient with superficial wound infection after bone grafting that was healed by dressing change. There was 1 patient with bone infection after 3 months of bone grafting that was healed by repeated surgery with Masquelet technique in the first and second stage. Besides, 2 patients had symptoms of cutaneous nerve injury in the iliac donor area. The time of bone healing was 4-7 months [(5.8±0.8)months]. The scores of PCS and MCS in SF-36 at the last follow-up were (73.6±12.8)points and (83.6±13.2)points, significantly higher than those before bone grafting [(46.8±0.5)points, (60.7±2.0)points] (all P<0.01). Conclusion:Second-stage Masquelet technique with 3D printed quantitative bone implants for the treatment of long-segment bone defect following Gustilo type IIIB and IIIC tibial fractures is associated with shortened bone harvesting time, attenuated pain, reduced complications, accelerated bone healing and improved function.

Adjustment of X-ray angle intraoperation based on the anatomic shape of femoral neck section / 解剖学报

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the appropriate X-ray angle which image can represent total proximal of femur according to the anatomic shape of the femoral neck section. Methods The anatomic parameter of the femoral neck section was observed and measured. Found the femoral neck was contained with three main surfaces of anterior surface, posterosuperior surface and posteroinferior surface. A model of surface fluoroscopy has been made by covering aluminum foil papers on the three surfaces of femoral neck. Taking the midpoint of the femoral neck as the fluoroscopy center, the C-arm was rotated at an interval of 10° between 0° and 170°, and the three aluminum foil paper models were taken for X-ray projection respectively. The X-ray angle with the smallest image of aluminum foil paper was taken as the appropriate X-ray angle of the surface. A penetrating model of the femoral neck internal fixation was made of three Kirschner wires penetrating through the anterior, posterosuperior and posteroinferior surfaces of femoral neck. The images of the penetrating Kirschner wires were observed through the traditional anteroposterior, lateral view and the three appropriate X-ray angle views obtained from the above test. Results The length of the three main surfaces accounts for 80. 95% of the circumference of the femoral neck. The anterior surface coronal angle was 18°, the posterosuperior surface coronal angle was 65°, and the posteroinferior surface coronal angle was 165°. The Appropriate X-ray angle of the three surfaces were 20°, 70° and 170° respectively. In the images of the three appropriate X-ray angles, the penetrating Kirschner wires of anterior surface, posterosuperior surface and posteroinferior surface of the femoral neck could be clearly observed respectively, while the penetrating Kirschner wire could not be completely found in the traditional anteroposterior and lateral images. Conclusion Traditional anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopy can not accurately display the three-dimensional structure of femoral neck. By increasing the appropriate X-ray angle of 20°, 70° and 170°, the reduction quality and bony violation from internal fixation implants on the anterior surface, posterosuperior surface and posteroinferior surface of the femoral neck could be observed respectively.

MicroRNA-218-5p accelerates malignant behaviors of breast cancer through LRIG1

Abstract Objective: MicroRNAs play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of cancers. MiRNA-218-5p may act as either an oncogene or a tumor suppressor, but its role in the pathogenesis of Breast Cancer (BC) remains unclear. Methods: Infiltrative breast ductal carcinoma as well as corresponding adjacent normal samples were collected from 30 patients. Mimics and inhibitors of miRNA-218-5p or corresponding negative controls were transfected into BC cells. miRNA-218-5p expression was detected by quantitative PCR. The effects of miRNA-218-5p on the malignant behaviors of BC were assessed. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to evaluate the binding of miRNA-218-5p to LRIG1. Results: BC tissues showed higher miRNA-218-5p expression as compared to the adjacent normal tissues. Ectopic miRNA-218-5p expression accelerated the cell cycle, cell growth and migration of BC, while repressed cell apoptosis. Interestingly, ectopic miRNA-218-5p expression down-regulated LRIG1 expression, and miRNA-218-5p could bind to LRIG1. Also, our study indicated that miRNA-218-5p up-regulated ErbB2 and EGFR expression by targeting LRIG1, suggesting that the LRIG1-mediated signaling pathway contributed to the pro-tumor effects of miRNA-218-5p on BC. Conclusion: MiRNA-218-5p up-regulates ErbB2 and EGFR expression by suppressing LRIG1 expression, thus promoting the malignant behaviors of BC. miRNA-218-5p may exert a pro-tumor effect on BC and serve as a therapeutic target for BC treatment.

Effect of acupuncture for dysphagia after stroke based on fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing function evaluation / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with regular treatment and swallowing function training on pharyngeal motor, sensory function and penetration-aspiration function in patients with dysphagia after stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, 30 patients in each group. Both groups were treated with conventional treatment and swallowing function training; in addition, the observation group was treated with acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23), Fengfu (GV 16), Yifeng (TE 17). All the treatments were given once a day, 5 days a week, for totally 4 weeks. In the two groups, the pharyngeal motor and sensory function, penetration-aspiration scores were evaluated by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and the Kubota water swallowing test scores were assessed before and after treatment, and the clinical effects were compared.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the pharyngeal motor and sensory function in the two groups were all higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were better than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the penetration-aspiration scores and Kubota water swallowing test scores in the two groups were all lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, which was better than 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with regular treatment and swallowing training could improve the pharyngeal motor and sensory function, and penetration-aspiration scores in patients with dysphagia after stroke.

Application Prospect of Integrative Omics in Forensic Identification of Methamphetamine-Associated Psychosis / 法医学杂志

The clinical symptoms and signs of methamphetamine-associated psychosis (MAP) and schizophrenia are highly similar, but the situation is completely different when MAP and schizophrenia patients need to be assessed for criminal responsibility after they comitted a harmful behavior. Therefore, the distinction between the two psychoses is very important in forensic psychiatry. At present, the identification of these two psychoses is mainly dependent on the corresponding criteria such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders Version 3 (CCMD-3). It's challenging to diagnose and distinguish between the two in practical cases due to their similar clinical symptoms and the lack of effective objective indexes. Different from the limitations of single omics, integrative omics intergrates data from multiple dimensions and has been extensively studied in the field of schizophrenia and has achieved some preliminary results. In view of the correlation between MAP and schizophrenia and the potential application value of integrative omics, this paper proposes an integrative omics strategy for MAP pathogenesis and forensic identification, aiming to improve the further understanding of the relationship between the two psychoses and the corresponding pathogenesis. It also provides references for the future exploration of integrative omics in forensic precise identification and effective monitoring and early warning methods.

Observation of therapeutic effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on joint injury / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To study the therapeutic effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma(PRP) on joint injury. 【Methods】 Selected patients with joint injury treated in the Department of Transfusion Medicine of General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA from 2019 to 2020 were enrolled as the research objects, including 5 patients with shoulder joint injury, 34 patients with knee joint injury and 9 patients with ankle joint injury. All patients were treated with PRP injection at the injury site. The functional score and VAS score before and after treatment were compared. 【Results】 After 6 months of treatment, the CMS score and VAS of 5 patients with shoulder joint injury after treatment were (83.00±5.39) and (1.60±0.40), better than those before treatment (60.00±7.58)and (4.20±0.49)(P<0.05); The Lysholm knee score and VAS of 34 patients with knee joint injury after treatment were (80.73±2.43) and (2.07±0.24), better than those before treatment(50.30±2.96) and (4.28±0.33) (P<0.05); The AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot Scale and VAS of 9 patients with ankle joint injury after treatment were (68.44±4.59) and (2.56±0.53), better than those before treatment (42.67±4.57) and (4.89±0.63) (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 For common joint injury sites, the clinical effect of using PRP injection is significant, which can effectively relieve pain and improve motor function, which is worthy of clinical application.

Safety and efficacy of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement with LuX-Valve in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation / 中华心血管病杂志

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of LuX-Valve on the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Methods: This is a prospective observational study. From September 2018 to March 2019, 12 patients with severe TR, who were not suitable for surgery, received LuX-Valve implantation in Changhai Hospital. LuX-Valve was implanted under general anesthesia and the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography and X-ray fluoroscopy. Access to the tricuspid valve was achieved via a minimally invasive thoracotomy and transatrial approach. Main endpoints were surgery success and device success. Surgery success was defined as successful implanting the device and withdrawing the delivery system, positioning the valve correctly and stably without severe or life-threatening adverse events. Device success was defined as satisfied valve function (TR severity reduction ≥ 2 grades, tricuspid gradient ≤ 6 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)), absence of malposition, valve failure and reintervention, major adverse events including device related mortality, embolization, conduction system disturbances and new onset shunt across ventricular septum at day 30 post implantation. Results: A total of 12 patients with severe to torrential TR were included in this study. The age was (68.5±6.9) years and 7 were female. All patients had typical right heart failure symptoms. Procedural success was achieved in all cases, there was no intraprocedural mortality or transfer to open surgery. TR significantly improved after LuX-Valve implantation (none/trivial in 8 patients, mild in 3 patients and moderate in 1 patient). The average device time was (9.2±4.2) minutes. Intensive care unit duration was 3.0 (2.0, 4.8) days. One patient died at postoperative day 18 due to non-surgery and device reasons. Transthoracic echocardiography at 30 days after operation showed that TR was significantly reduced (none/trivial in 8 patients, mild in 2 patients and moderate in 1 patient) and device success was achieved in 11 cases. All survived patients experienced a significant improvement in life quality with significantly improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification (Ⅰ and Ⅱ: 6/11 post operation vs. 0/11 before operation, P=0.012) and there were no device related complications in this patient cohort. Conclusions: LuX-Valve implantation is feasible, safe and effective for the treatment of patients with severe TR.

Application of CD83 and HSF5 to Identify Antemortem and Postmortem Skin Burns / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the forensic application value of cluster of differentiation 83 (CD83) and heat shock transcription factor 5(HSF5) in identifying antemortem and postmortem skin burns.@*METHODS@#Through reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), CD83 and HSF5 mRNA levels in the skin tissues of antemortem and postmortem burned mice and human samples were detected quantitatively.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group and the postmortem burned group, the mRNA levels of CD83 and HSF5 in antemortem burned mice were higher. The high mRNA expressions of CD83 could be detected 96 h after death, and the mRNA expressions of HSF5 could be observed 72 h after death. Compared with undamaged skin, increased CD83 and HSF5 mRNA levels were detected in 11 out of 15 cases(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#CD83 and HSF5 can be used in forensic practice as indicators for vital reaction in antemortem burn identification.

Ginger-separated moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome and its effect on intestinal flora / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of ginger-separated moxibustion on fatigue state and intestinal flora in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).@*METHODS@#A total of 62 patients with CFS were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with normal diet and moderate exercise; on the basis of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with ginger-separated moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV 12), Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 30 min each time, once every other day, three times a week. Both groups were intervened for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) was used to observe the improvement of fatigue state, and 16S rRNA detection technology was used to detect the distribution of intestinal flora.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the FS-14 score was reduced after treatment in the observation group (@*CONCLUSION@#The ginger-separated moxibustion could significantly improve the fatigue state in CFS patients, which may be related to the regulation of intestinal flora structure and the repair of intestinal barrier.

Analysis and comparison of anterior segment parameters in Uyghur patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Xinjiang / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To explore the differences of anterior segment parameters in Uyghur patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related cataracts in Xinjiang.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, Uyghur patients included 114 eyes of 84 cases with PEX, 96 eyes of 70 cases with PEXG, 88 eyes of 72 cases with POAG and 80 eyes of 80 cases with age-related cataracts (control, CON) who had received treatment in Ophthalmology Center of Xinjiang Military Region General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army from April 2019 to July 2020 were selected to obtained central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), axial length (AL) and corneal curvature (horizontal curvature K1 and vertical curvature K2).Results:There was no significant difference in gender ratio and age of patients between CON, PEX, PEXG and POAG groups ( P > 0.05). The CCT of patients in CON, PEX, PEXG and POAG groups were (545.52 ± 34.22), (536.81 ± 42.64), (516.74 ± 32.39) and (530.38 ± 28.72) μm, respectively, the CCT in CON, PEX and POAG groups were all higher than those in PEXG group ( P < 0.05), and the CCT in PEXG group became thinner. The ACD of patients in CON, PEX, PEXG and POAG groups were (3.05 ± 0.38), (2.87 ± 0.36), (2.77 ± 0.41), (2.81 ± 0.32) mm, respectively, compared with CON group, the ACD in PEX, PEXG and POAG groups were all lower ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in LT, AL, K1 and K2 of patients between each group ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:This study has showed that the ACD of Uyghur patients with PEX in Xinjiang is shallower than that of CON group, but the CCT of PEXG patients is thinner than that of PEX patients.

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders of kidney in children: two cases report and literature review / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To report two cases of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) after kidney transplantation in children and review the literature, and to improve clinicians' understanding of PTLD in children.Methods:The clinical data of two children with PTLD admitted to the Children's Hospital of Fudan University were collected and analyzed. The PTLD-related literature of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, CNKI, Weipu Database and China Biomedical Literature Service System from the establishment of the database to January 2020 were collected for literature review. Multivariate logistic regression analysis method was used to analyze the influencing factors of prognostic in children with PTLD.Results:Both of the patients had negative Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) before transplantation and anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin (ATG) were induced during transplantation. PTLD in case 1 and case 2 was diagnosed at 3 and 12 months after transplantation, respectively, with positive EBV and CMV serological reaction. The pathological diagnosis was monomorphic PTLD in case 1 and the case 2 was clinically considered as non-hodgkin lymphoma. They all received thrapies of immunosuppressive reduction combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and chemotherapy. PTLD was relieved and graft function was normal in 2 cases, while case 1 died two and half years after transplantation due to intracranial fungal infection. According to the analysis of 56 children (including 2 cases in this study) with PTLD from the literature review, the median time of PTLD from transplantation was 41.8 months. The initial involved organs were digestive tract [17 cases (30.4%)], respiratory system [8 cases (14.3%)], nervous system [7 cases (12.5%)] and pharyngeal lymph ring [7 cases (12.5%)], respectively. The main pathologic type of PTLD was monomorphic [34 cases (60.8%)]. Fifty-six cases were all positive in EBV serological reaction when PTLD was diagnosed. The treatment included immunosuppressive reduction combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and chemotherapy. Forty-eight cases of PTLD were relieved, while 8 cases lost graft function. Eleven cases died, including 3 cases due to infection and the other 8 cases due to PTLD. Multivariate logistic regression showed that monomorphic PTLD was a risk factor of death for PTLD children ( OR=21.616, 95% CI 1.007-464.107, P=0.049). Conclusions:PTLD in children with kidney transplantation is mostly associated with EBV infection, and the clinical manifestations are diverse. Monomorphic PTLD has a poor prognosis and high mortality.

The Signaling Pathway of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 and Its Receptor GFRAL / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, is a new class of dimeric polypeptides with very low homology with other TGF-β family members. GDF15 was originally found in activated macrophages where it was secreted into the body circulation in two different cellular pathways. Moreover, GDF15 as a stress protein is widely involved in many signal pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase / protein kinase B, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor-κB, and so on, and thus involved in the regulation of various disease processes. In addition, GDF15 as a new type of stress molecule acts as a biomarker and plays a regulatory role in obesity, weight loss, cancer development, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Glial-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-like (GFRAL) is the specific receptor of GDF15, and the molecular basis of its activity is to conduct signal transduction through GFRAL-dependent binding into multimers. The intervention of the GDF15-GFRAL signaling pathway has a great application potential in the development of weight-loss drugs and cancer prognosis recovery drugs. This review focuses on the recent progress of GDF15-GFRAL and its related signaling pathways, the molecular structure of GDF15 and GFRAL, and the mechanism of GDF15-GFRAL signaling pathway, which reveals the role and regulatory ability of GDF15 as a biomarker in the development of disease and provides new insights in potential and treatment strategies of regulating the GDF15-GFRAL signaling pathway in related diseases.

Neuropsychological development of late preterm infants and early term infants at the age of 1 year: a follow-up study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the level of neuropsychological development in late preterm infants and early term infants at the age of 1 year.@*METHODS@#A total of 1 257 children with a corrected age of 1 year were enrolled as subjects. According to gestational age at birth, they were divided into an early preterm group (28-33 weeks), a late preterm group (34-36 weeks), an early term group (37-38 weeks), and a full-term group (39-41 weeks). Gesell Developmental Schedules were used to assess the neuropsychological development of the children, and the groups were compared in terms of neuropsychological development at the age of 1 year.@*RESULTS@#There were significant differences in the developmental quotients of the five functional areas (adaptability, gross motor, fine motor, language and social ability) between the four groups at the age of 1 year (P<0.05), and the full-term infants had the highest development quotients, followed by the early term infants, the late preterm infants, and the early preterm infants (P<0.05). The full-term infants had the lowest rate of developmental delay in each functional area, while the early preterm infants had the highest rate (P<0.05). Compared with the full-term infants, the early term infants had a higher risk of developmental delay in adaptability (OR=1.796, P<0.05), and the late preterm infants had a higher risk of developmental delay in adaptability (OR=2.651, P<0.05) and fine motor (OR=2.679, P<0.05), while the early preterm infants had a higher risk of developmental delay in adaptability (OR=4.069, P<0.05), fine motor (OR=3.710, P<0.05), and social ability (OR=3.515, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The risk of neuropsychological developmental delay decreases with the increase in gestational age in children at the age of 1 year, with a dose-response effect. There are varying degrees of developmental delay in early term infants and late preterm infants, and health care follow-up for early term infants and late preterm infants should be taken seriously.

Protective effect of exogenous biliverdin on ultraviolet B-induced photodamage to keratinocytes and its mechanisms / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the protective effect of exogenous biliverdin on ultraviolet B (UVB) -induced photodamage to keratinocytes, and to explore its mechanisms.Methods:HaCaT cells were divided into 5 groups: UVB group irradiated with 30 mJ/cm 2 UVB alone, 0.1-, 1- and 10-μmol/L UVB groups treated with 0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L biliverdin respectively and irradiated with 30 mJ/cm 2 UVB, and control group receiving no treatment. After irradiation, cells in the above groups continued to be cultured for 24 hours. Then, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were detected in HaCaT cells, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in the culture supernatants of HaCaT cells. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of means among multiple groups, and least significant difference (LSD) - t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:Significant differences were observed among the UVB group, 0.1-, 1- and 10-μmol/L UVB groups and control group in the ROS levels (3 613.33 ± 206.61, 2 958.67 ± 193.87, 2 678.33 ± 178.24, 2 274.67 ± 118.81, 1 905.67 ± 250.25, respectively, F = 34.02, P < 0.05), SOD activity (24.41 ± 1.78, 28.96 ± 2.21, 29.75 ± 1.75, 30.19 ± 2.29, 37.52 ± 2.31, respectively, F = 57.36, P < 0.05), MDA contents (5.61 ± 0.32, 5.46 ± 0.55, 4.65 ± 0.22, 2.55 ± 0.93, 1.31 ± 0.05, respectively, F = 214.09, P < 0.05), and supernatant levels of IL-6 ( F = 29.73, P < 0.05) and IL-8 ( F = 11.40, P < 0.05). The UVB group showed significantly increased levels of ROS, IL-6 and IL-8, and MDA contents compared with the other 4 groups (all P < 0.05), but significantly decreased SOD activity compared with the other 4 groups ( P < 0.05) . Conclusion:Exogenous biliverdin has some protective effect on UVB-induced photodamage, likely by reducing oxidative damage to cells, attenuating inflammatory reactions and suppressing lipid peroxidation.

Protective effect of Nrf2 protein against ultraviolet B-induced photodamage to HaCaT cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2) protein against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photodamage to HaCaT cells,and to explore its mechanisms.Methods Cultured HaCaT cells were divided into 4 groups:control group receiving no treatment,UVB group irradiated with 30 mJ/cm2 UVB for 30 s,Nrf2 group transfected with a lentiviral vector overexpressing the Nrf2 gene,and Nrf2 + UVB group transfected with a lentiviral vector overexpressing the Nrf2 gene followed by radiation with 30 mJ/cm2 UVB for 30 s.After the treatment,HaCaT cells in the above 4 groups were cultured for another 24 hours.Then,changes in the morphology of HaCaT cells were observed after UVB radiation,Western blot analysis was performed to determine Nrf2 protein expression,cell counting kit-8 (CCKS) assay to detect survival rates of HaCaT cells,flow cytometry to detect levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS),and a biochemical method to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in cells,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the culture supematant of HaCaT cells.One-way analysis of variance was used for comparing means in several groups,and least significant difference (LSD)-t test for multiple comparisons.Results Polygonal and clustered HaCaT cells were observed in the control group.After UVB radiation,HaCaT cells became shrunken and round,the number of floating cells increased,and the number of adherent cells markedly decreased.There was a significant difference in Nrf2 protein expression among the control group,UVB group,Nrf2 group and Nrf2 + UVB group (1.84 ± 0.047,0.63 ± 0.082,2.19 ± 0.168 and 1.43 ± 0.069 respectively;F =64.81,P ＜ 0.05),and the Nrf2 protein expression was significantly higher in the Nrf2 group than in the control group (t =14.82,P ＜ 0.05);the survival rates of HaCaT cells also significantly differed among the above 4 groups (98.00％ ± 2.39％,24.40％ ± 2.98％,71.63％ ± 3.39％and 43.38％ ± 3.39％ respectively;F =236.66,P ＜ 0.05),and the UVB group showed significantly decreased cell viability compared with the control group (t =33.34,P ＜ 0.05)and Nrf2 + UVB group (t=10.07,P ＜ 0.05);a significant difference in the ROS level in HaCaT cells was observed among the above 4 groups (1.27 ± 0.10,5.65 ± 0.19,2.10 ± 0.73 and 3.67 ± 0.19 respectively;F =481.39,P ＜ 0.05),and the UVB group showed a significantly increased ROS level compared with the control group (t =33.68,P ＜0.05) and Nrf2 + UVB group (t =12.47,P ＜ 0.05).The SOD level in HaCaT cells significantly differed among the above 4 groups (F =170.76,P ＜ 0.05),and was significantly lower in the UVB group than in the control group (t =11.25,P ＜ 0.05) and Nrf2 + UVB group (t =17.52,P ＜ 0.05).The IL-6 level also significantly differed among the above 4 groups (F =532.34,P ＜ 0.05),and was significantly higher in the UVB group than in the control group (t =28.48,P ＜ 0.05) and Nrf2 + UVB group (t =27.82,P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the TNF-α level among the above 4 groups (F =2.02,P =0.19).Conclusion Nrf2 can protect HaCaT cells from UVB-induced oxidative damage,by reducing intracellular ROS levels and increasing the activity of the endogenous antioxidant enzyme SOD.

Changes in Glucose Metabolism after Adrenalectomy or Treatment with a Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist for Primary Aldosteronism

Background@#Data on the effects of excess aldosterone on glucose metabolism are inconsistent. This study compared the changes in glucose metabolism in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) after adrenalectomy or treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). @*Methods@#Overall, 241 patients were enrolled; 153 underwent adrenalectomy and 88 received an MRA. Fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) were compared between the treatment groups after 1 year. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and factors determining HOMA-IR and PAC were evaluated. @*Results@#No baseline differences were observed between the groups. Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β increased in both groups and there were no significant differences in fasting glucose following treatment. Multiple regression analysis showed associations between PAC and HOMA-IR (β=0.172, P=0.017) after treatment. Treatment with spironolactone was the only risk factor associated with PAC >30 ng/dL (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7 to 10; P<0.001) and conferred a 2.48-fold risk of insulin resistance after 1 year compared with surgery (95% CI, 1.3 to 4.8; P=0.007). @*Conclusion@#Spironolactone treatment might increase insulin resistance in patients with PA. This strengthened the current recommendation that adrenalectomy is the preferred strategy for patient with positive lateralization test. Achieving a post-treatment PAC of <30 ng/dL for improved insulin sensitivity may be appropriate.

Changes in Glucose Metabolism after Adrenalectomy or Treatment with a Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist for Primary Aldosteronism

Background@#Data on the effects of excess aldosterone on glucose metabolism are inconsistent. This study compared the changes in glucose metabolism in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) after adrenalectomy or treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). @*Methods@#Overall, 241 patients were enrolled; 153 underwent adrenalectomy and 88 received an MRA. Fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) were compared between the treatment groups after 1 year. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and factors determining HOMA-IR and PAC were evaluated. @*Results@#No baseline differences were observed between the groups. Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β increased in both groups and there were no significant differences in fasting glucose following treatment. Multiple regression analysis showed associations between PAC and HOMA-IR (β=0.172, P=0.017) after treatment. Treatment with spironolactone was the only risk factor associated with PAC >30 ng/dL (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7 to 10; P<0.001) and conferred a 2.48-fold risk of insulin resistance after 1 year compared with surgery (95% CI, 1.3 to 4.8; P=0.007). @*Conclusion@#Spironolactone treatment might increase insulin resistance in patients with PA. This strengthened the current recommendation that adrenalectomy is the preferred strategy for patient with positive lateralization test. Achieving a post-treatment PAC of <30 ng/dL for improved insulin sensitivity may be appropriate.

Genotype Analysis of Pregnant Women with α- and β- Thalassemia in Fuzhou Area of Fujian Province in China / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the genotype of pregnant women with α- and β- thalassemia in Fuzhou area of Fujian province in China.@*METHODS@#Blood routine examination and hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed for pregnant women, and positive samples were examined by gap polymerase chain reaction and reverse dot blot hybridization.@*RESULTS@#412 cases were diagnosed as α-thalassemia (63.9%); 201 cases were diagnosed as β-thalassemia (31.2%); 32 cases were diagnosed as α and β-composite thalassemia. There were 12 genotypes in α-thalassemia, whose major genotypes were --/αα, α/αα, -α/αα and αα/αα, with carrying rate of 64.32%, 20.14%, 7.77% and 1.94%, respectively. There were 10 genotypes in β- thalassemia, whose major genotypes were CD41-42/N, CD17/N, IVS-II-654/N and -28/N, with carrying rate of 30.84%, 27.86%, 15.92% and 10.45%, respectively. There were 9 genotypes in α and β-composite thalassemia, whose major genotypes were --/αα composited CD41-42/N, -α/αα composited CD41-42/N, --/αα composited CD17/N, with carrying rate of 18.75%, 15.62%, 15.62% respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The major genotypes of pregnant women with α- and β- thalassemia in Fuzhou area of Fujian province in China are --/αα, α/αα, CD41-42/N and CD17/N. Thalassemia screening and prenatal gene diagnosis should be strengthened in Fuzhou area of Fujian province in China.