Preparation and characterization of liquefied eggplant branch bio-based controlled-release fertilizer.

Bio-based coating materials have received increased attention because of their low-cost, environmentally friendly, and sustainable properties. In this paper, a novel coating material was developed to coat ureas using bio-based coating material derived from liquefied eggplant branches to form controlled-release ureas (CRUs). Also, the optimum proportion of liquefier was studied. Furthermore, dimethyl siloxane was used to modify liquified eggplant branches to make them hydrophobic, resulting in hydrophobic controlled-release ureas (SCRUs). This hydrophobic-enabled coating is environmentally friendly and highly efficient. The products were characterized by specific scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, and the water contact angles of CRUs and SCRUs were determined. The nutrient-release characteristics of the SCRUs in water were determined at 25 °C and compared with those of CRUs. The results showed that the modification with dimethyl siloxane reduced the N release rate and increased the longevity of the fertilizer coated with hydrophobic bio-based coating material. In addition, organosilicon atoms on the SCRU surface also block the micro-holes on the coating and thus reduce the entry of water onto the coating. The results suggest that the new coating technology can create a hydrophobic surface on bio-based coating material and thus improve their controlled-release characteristics.

What we have learned about lymphocytic variant hypereosinophilic syndrome: A systematic literature review.

Lymphocytic variant is a rare subtype of hypereosinophilic syndrome (L-HES) secondary to overproduction of eosinophilopoietic cytokines by the underlying clonal T lymphocytes with abnormal immunophenotypes. Clinical profiles, treatment responses, and outcomes of L-HES are not well characterized given its rarity. We performed a systematic literature review to summarize cases identified in PubMed and Embase databases between January 1994 and July 2021. A total of 148 patients met the inclusion criteria with a median age at diagnosis of 46 years and 51.4% being male. Cutaneous manifestations (81.1%) predominated the clinical picture, while the characteristic cardiovascular involvement was seen in 11.5% of cases. The median eosinophil count at baseline was 5.3 × 109/L and 109 patients (73.6%) had underlying clonal T lymphocytes harboring the classic CD3-CD4+ immunophenotype, which was associated with higher numbers of eosinophils and organ involvement at baseline. Corticosteroids were the most common first-line agent (88.1%), but most patients required additional treatment, leading to clinical or hematologic response in two-thirds. The 10-year overall survival was 81.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 68.1-89.8). Transformation into malignant T cell lymphoma was observed in 19 patients, specifically in those with cardiovascular involvement (odds ratio [OR] 4.723, 95% CI 1.304-17.108, p = 0.018) and imatinib use (OR 4.284, 95% CI 1.191-15.404, p = 0.026). Taken together, a heavier disease burden was shown in L-HES patients with classic CD3-CD4+ lymphocytes but they were manageable with corticosteroids and sparing agents. There is an increased risk of lymphoma transformation that could be associated with certain clinical surrogates.

Rice extra-large G proteins play pivotal roles in controlling disease resistance and yield-related traits.

To better explore the potential of rice extra-large G (XLG) proteins in future breeding, we characterised the function of OsXLG1, OsXLG2 and OsXLG3 in disease resistance. Loss-of-function Osxlg2 and Osxlg3 mutants showed reduced resistance to the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, whereas Osxlg1 mutants were specifically compromised in resistance to the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae. Consistent with their effects on rice blast resistance, mutations in OsXLG2 and OsXLG3 caused greater defects than did mutations in OsXLG1 for chitin-induced defence responses. All three OsXLGs interacted with components of a surface immune receptor complex composed of OsCERK1, OsRLCK176 and OsRLCK185. Further characterisation of yield-related traits showed that the Osxlg3 mutants displayed reduced plant height, panicle length and 1000grain weight, whereas Osxlg1 mutants exhibited increased plant height, panicle length and 1000-grain weight. Together the study shows the differential contributions of the three OsXLG proteins to disease resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens, their yield-related traits and provides insights for future improvement of rice production.

Comprehensive profile and natural history of pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy: A large retrospective study from China.

Background: There is a large population of people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in China, and new disease-modifying therapies have become available recently. However, comprehensive data on the management and profile of treatment-naive SMA patients in China are still lacking. Methods: As a retrospective study, a large cohort of treatment-naive patients with clinical and genetic diagnoses of 5q SMA were enrolled, ranging from neonatal to 18 years old, from the Neurology Department of Children's Hospital of Fudan University between January 2013 and December 2020. The data regarding their clinical presentations, genetic defects, motor function assessment results, and follow ups were reviewed. Results: We enrolled 392 SMA patients (male: female = 189: 203): 1a = 46, 1b = 44, 1c = 31, 2a = 119, 2b = 56, 3a = 52, 3b = 14, from 27 of the 34 administrative districts in China, and 389 patients harbored homozygous deletion of exon 7 in the SMN1 gene (99.2%). The median age of onset was 0.08 (range: 0-0.30), 0.25 (0.06-0.60), 0.42 (0.08-1.50), 0.67 (0.07-5.08), 1.0 (0.40-1.83), 1.5 (1.00-3.00), and 4.04 (1.80-12.00) years old for SMA 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b patients, while the median age of first assessment was 0.25 (0.08-2.60), 0.42 (0.17-1.90), 0.80 (0.17-4.5), 2.50 (0.5-15.83), 2.92 (1.08-13.42), 4.25 (1.58-17.33), and 7.34 (3.67-14.00) years old, respectively. Patients were followed up with for up to 15.8 years. The median event-free survival time was 7 months, 15 months, and indeterminate in SMA 1a, 1b, and 1c patients (p < 0.0001), with a better survival situation for higher SMN2 copies (p = 0.0171). The median age of sitting loss was 5.75 years and 13.5 years in SMA 2a and 2b (p = 0.0214) and that of ambulation loss was 9.0 years and undefined in SMA 3a and 3b (p = 0.0072). Cox regression analysis showed that higher SMN2 copies indicated better remaining ambulation in SMA 3. The median time to develop orthopedic deformities was 4.5, 5.2, and 10.1 years in SMAs 1c, 2, and 3, respectively (p < 0.0001), with a possible trend of better preservation of joint function for patients under regular rehabilitation (p = 0.8668). Conclusion: Our study elucidated insight into the comprehensive management and profile of different types of SMA patients in China, providing a clinical basis for assessing the efficacy of new therapies.

Myotonia Congenita: Clinical Characteristic and Mutation Spectrum of CLCN1 in Chinese Patients.

Background: CLCN1-related myotonia congenita (MC) is one of the most common forms of non-dystrophic myotonia, in which muscle relaxation is delayed after voluntary or evoked contraction. However, there is limited data of clinical and molecular spectrum of MC patients in China. Patients and Methods: Five patients with myotonia congenita due to mutations in CLCN1 gene were enrolled, which were identified through trio-whole-exome sequencing or panel-based next-generation sequencing test. The clinical presentation, laboratory data, electrophysiological tests, muscular pathology feature, and genetic results were collected and reviewed. We also searched all previously reported cases of MC patients with genetic diagnosis in Chinese populations, and their data were reviewed. Results: The median onset age of five patients was 3.0 years old, ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 years old, while the median age of admit was 5.0 years old, ranging from 3.5 to 8.8 years old. Five patients complained of muscle stiffness when rising from chairs or starting to climb stairs (5/5, 100.0%), four patients complained of delayed relaxation of their hands after forceful grip (4/5, 80.0%), all of which improved with exercise (warm-up phenomenon) (5/5, 100%). Electromyogram was conducted in five patients, which all revealed myotonic change (100%). Genetic tests revealed nine potential disease-causing variants in CLCN1 gene, including two novel variants: c.962T>A (p.V321E) and c.1250A>T (p.E417V). Literature review showed that 43 MC Chinese patients with genetic diagnosis have been reported till now (including our five patients). Forty-seven variants in CLCN1 gene were found, which consisted of 33 missense variants, 6 nonsense variants, 5 frame-shift variants, and 3 splicing variants. Variants in exon 8, 15, 12, and 16 were most prevalent, while the most common variants were c.892G>A (p.A298T) (n = 9), c.139C>T (p.R47W) (n = 3), c.1205C>T(p.A402V) (n = 3), c.1657A>T (p.I553F) (n = 3), c.1679T>C (p.M560T) (n = 3), c.350A>G (p.D117G) (n = 2), c.762C>G (p.C254W) (n = 2), c.782A>G (P.Y261C) (n = 2), and c.1277C>A (p.T426N) (n = 2). Conclusion: Our results reported five CLCN1-related MC patients, which expanded the clinical and genetic spectrum of MC patients in China. Based on literature review, 43MC Chinese patients with genetic diagnosis have been reported till now, and variants in exon eight were most prevalent in Chinese MC patients while c.892G>A (p.A298T) was probably a founder mutation.

Low-Dose Valganciclovir Prophylaxis Is Safe and Cost-Saving in CMV-Seropositive Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Observational studies suggest that low-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis (450 mg daily for normal renal function) is as effective as and perhaps safer than standard-dose valganciclovir (900 mg daily) in preventing CMV infection among kidney transplant recipients. However, this practice is not supported by current guidelines due to concerns for breakthrough infection from resistant CMV, mainly in high-risk CMV donor-seropositive/recipient-seronegative kidney transplant recipients. Standard-dose valganciclovir is costly and possibly associated with higher incidence of neutropenia and BKV DNAemia. Our institution adopted low-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis for intermediate-risk (seropositive) kidney transplant recipients in January 2018. Research Question: To analyze the efficacy (CMV DNAemia), safety (BK virus DNAemia, neutropenia, graft loss, and death), and cost savings associated with this change. Design: We retrospectively compared the above outcomes between CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients who received low-dose and standard-dose valganciclovir, transplanted within our institution, between 1/19/2014 and 7/15/2019, using propensity score-adjusted competing risk analyses. We also compared cost estimates between the two dosing regimens, for 3 months of prophylaxis, and for different percentage of patient-weeks with normal renal function, using the current average wholesale price of valganciclovir. Results: We studied 179 CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients, of whom 55 received low-dose and 124 standard-dose valganciclovir. The majority received nonlymphocyte depleting induction (basiliximab). Low-dose valganciclovir was at least as effective and safe as, and more cost-saving than standard-dose valganciclovir. Conclusion: This single-center study contributes to mounting evidence for future guidelines to be adjusted in favor of low-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis in CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients.

Where we are with acquired angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency: A systematic literature review.

Acquired angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-AAE) is a rare disease characterized by adult-onset recurrent non-urticarial angioedema with low levels of C1-INH. It is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders, and treatments are off-label with variable success. We conducted a systematic literature review to include patients with C1-INH-AAE identified in PubMed and Embase databases between January 2006 and February 2021. Clinical features of these patients were summarized, and factors associated with disease remission were explored. A total of 121 patients were included in the current study with a median age at diagnosis of 64 years and 45.5% being male. An associated disease was recorded in 94 patients (77.7%), and lymphoproliferative disorder was the most reported (59/94, 62.8%). Anti-C1-INH autoantibodies were present in 45 of 71 patients (63.4%). Factors impacting disease remissions included age (odds ratio [OR] 0.951, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.909-0.994, p = 0.027), male (OR 0.327, 95% CI 0.124-0.866, p = 0.025), presence of monoclonal gammopathy (OR 0.133, 95% CI 0.041-0.429, p = 0.001), requirement of specific on-demand treatment (OR 0.216, 95% CI 0.066-0.709, p = 0.012) and rituximab use (OR 2.865, 95% CI 1.038-7.911, p = 0.042). A total of nine patients (7.4%) died at last follow up and most were unrelated to C1-INH-AAE. Our results imply that C1-INH-AAE is primarily associated with underlying B or plasma cell abnormalities, and clone-directed therapies could be promising options for its long-term management.

When the Good Syndrome Goes Bad: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Good syndrome is a rare adult-onset immunodeficiency characterized by thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia. Its clinical manifestations are highly heterogeneous, ranging from various infections to autoimmunity. Objective: This study was to summarize patient characteristics, identify prognostic factors and define clinical subgroups of Good syndrome. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to include patients with Good syndrome identified in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases between January 2010 and November 2020. Logistic and Cox regressions were used to identify prognostic factors impacting outcomes. Clinical subgroups were defined by multiple correspondence analysis and unsupervised hierarchical clustering. A decision tree was constructed to characterize the subgroup placement of cases. Results: Of 162 patients included in the current study, the median age at diagnosis was 58 years and 51% were male. Type AB was the most common histological subtype of thymoma, and infections as well as concurrent autoimmune disorders were identified in 92.6% and 51.2% patients, respectively. Laboratory workup showed typical findings of combined immunodeficiency. Thymoma status (odds ratio [OR] 4.157, confidence interval [CI] 1.219-14.177, p = 0.023), infections related to cellular immunity defects (OR 3.324, 95% CI 1.100-10.046, p = 0.033), infections of sinopulmonary tract (OR 14.351, 95% CI 2.525-81.576, p = 0.003), central nerve system (OR 6.403, 95% CI 1.205-34.027, p = 0.029) as well as bloodstream (OR 6.917, 95% CI 1.519-31.505, p = 0.012) were independent prognostic factors. The 10-year overall survival was 53.7%. Cluster analysis revealed three clinical subgroups with distinct characteristics and prognosis (cluster 1, infections related to cellular immunity defects; cluster 2, infections related to other immunity defects; cluster 3, infections related to humoral and phagocytic immunity defects). A decision tree using infection types (related to humoral and cellular immunity defects) could place patients into corresponding clusters with an overall correct prediction of 72.2%. Conclusions: Infection type and site were the main prognostic factors impacting survival of patients with Good syndrome. We identified three subgroups within Good syndrome associated with distinct clinical features, which may facilitate the study of underlying pathogenesis as well as development of targeted therapy.

Predictors of severity and mortality among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Rhode Island.

BACKGROUND: In order for healthcare systems to prepare for future waves of COVID-19, an in-depth understanding of clinical predictors is essential for efficient triage of hospitalized patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 259 patients admitted to our hospitals in Rhode Island to examine differences in baseline characteristics (demographics and comorbidities) as well as presenting symptoms, signs, labs, and imaging findings that predicted disease progression and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Patients with severe COVID-19 were more likely to be older (p = 0.02), Black (47.2% vs. 32.0%, p = 0.04), admitted from a nursing facility (33.0% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.006), have diabetes (53.9% vs. 30.4%, p<0.001), or have COPD (15.4% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.02). In multivariate regression, Black race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-3.9) and diabetes (aOR 2.2, 95%CI: 1.3-3.9) were independent predictors of severe disease, while older age (aOR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07), admission from a nursing facility (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.7), and hematological co-morbidities predicted mortality (aOR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.0). In the first 24 hours, respiratory symptoms (aOR 7.0, 95% CI: 1.4-34.1), hypoxia (aOR 19.9, 95% CI: 2.6-152.5), and hypotension (aOR 2.7, 95% CI) predicted progression to severe disease, while tachypnea (aOR 8.7, 95% CI: 1.1-71.7) and hypotension (aOR 9.0, 95% CI: 3.1-26.1) were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Certain patient characteristics and clinical features can help clinicians with early identification and triage of high-risk patients during subsequent waves of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Single-Center Experience and Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are considered high-risk for morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, some studies did not show worse outcomes compared to non-transplant patients and there is little data about immunosuppressant drug levels and secondary infections in KTR with COVID-19. Herein, we describe our single-center experience with COVID-19 in KTR. METHODS: We captured KTR diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 1, 2020 and May 18, 2020. After exclusion of KTR on hemodialysis and off immunosuppression, we compared the clinical course of COVID-19 between hospitalized KTR and non-transplant patients, matched by age and sex (controls). RESULTS: Eleven KTR were hospitalized and matched with 44 controls. One KTR and 4 controls died (case fatality rate: 9.1%). There were no significant differences in length of stay or clinical outcomes between KTR and controls. Tacrolimus or sirolimus levels were >10 ng/mL in 6 out of 9 KTR (67%). Bacterial infections were more frequent in KTR (36.3%), compared with controls (6.8%, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: In our small case series, unlike earlier reports from the pandemic epicenters, the clinical outcomes of KTR with COVID-19 were comparable to those of non-transplant patients. Calcineurin or mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTOR) levels were high. Bacterial infections were more common in KTR, compared with controls.

Validation of pneumonia prognostic scores in a statewide cohort of hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to externally validate the predictive performance of two recently developed COVID-19-specific prognostic tools, the COVID-GRAM and CALL scores, and prior prognostic scores for community-acquired pneumonia (CURB-65), viral pneumonia (MuBLSTA) and H1N1 influenza pneumonia (Influenza risk score) in a contemporary US cohort. METHODS: We included 257 hospitalised patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia from three teaching hospitals in Rhode Island. We extracted data from within the first 24 hours of admission. Variables were excluded if values were missing in >20% of cases, otherwise, missing values were imputed. One hundred and fifteen patients with complete data after imputation were used for the primary analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed after the exclusion of one variable (LDH) in the complete dataset (n = 257). Primary and secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and critical illness (mechanical ventilation or death), respectively. RESULTS: Only the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (RO-AUC) of COVID-GRAM (RO-AUC = 0.775, 95% CI 0.525-0.915) for in-hospital death, and CURB65 for in-hospital death (RO-AUC = 0.842, 95% CI 0.674-0.932) or critical illness (RO-AUC = 0.766, 95% CI 0.584-0.884) were significantly better than random. Sensitivity analysis yielded similar trends. Calibration plots showed better agreement between the estimated and observed probability of in-hospital death for CURB65, compared with COVID-GRAM. The negative predictive value (NPV) of CURB65 ≥2 was 97.2% for in-hospital death and 88.1% for critical illness. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-GRAM score demonstrated acceptable predictive performance for in-hospital death. The CURB65 score had better prognostic utility for in-hospital death and critical illness. The high NPV of CURB65 values ≥2 may be useful in triaging and allocation of resources.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Pediatric Mitochondrial Myopathy in China.

Introduction: Mitochondrial myopathy in children has notable clinical and genetic heterogeneity, but detailed data is lacking. Patients and Methods: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical presentation, laboratory investigation, genetic and histopathological characteristics, and follow-ups of 21 pediatric mitochondrial myopathy cases from China. Results: Twenty-four patients suspected with mitochondrial myopathy were enrolled initially and 21 were genetically identified. Fourteen patients were found to harbor mitochondrial DNA point mutations (14/21, 66.7%), including m.3243A>G (9/15, 60%), m.3303C>T (2/15, 13.3%), m.3302A>G (1/15, 6.7%), m.3250T>C (1/15, 6.7%), m.3251A>G (1/15, 6.7%), of whom 12 patients presented with progressive proximal mitochondrial myopathy (12/14, 85.7%). Three patients revealed large-scale deletion in blood or muscle tissue (3/21, 14.3%), presenting with Kearns-Sayer syndrome (1/3, 33.3%) or chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (2/3, 66.7%). Four patients were found to harbor pathogenic nuclear gene variants (4/21, 19.0%), including five variants in TK2 gene and two variants in SURF1 gene. During the follow-ups up to 7 years, 10 patients developed cardiomyopathy (10/21, 47.6%), 13 patients occurred at least once hypercapnic respiratory failure (13/21, 61.9%), six experienced recurrent respiratory failure and intubation (6/21, 28.6%), eight patients failed to survive (8/21, 38.1%). With nocturnal non-invasive ventilation of BiPAP, three patients recovered from respiratory failure, and led a relative stable and functional life (3/21, 14.3%). Conclusion: Mitochondrial myopathy in children has great clinical, pathological, and genetical heterogeneity. Progressive proximal myopathy is most prevalent. Mitochondrial DNA point mutations are most common. And respiratory failure is a critical risk factor of poor prognosis.

[Genetic analysis and treatment for an infant with cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome type 2].

OBJECTIVE: To carry out genetic and metabolite analysis for an infant with cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome type 2 (CCDS2). METHODS: Clinical data of the child was collected. Whole-exome sequencing was carried out to identify potential variants by next generation sequencing. Candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Metabolites were determined by tandem mass spectrometry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Treatment was carried out following the diagnosis and genetic counseling for the affected family. RESULTS: Two novel heterozygous variants (c.289delC and c.392-1G>C) of the GAMT gene were identified in the proband, which were respectively inherited from her father and mother. In silico analysis suggested both variants to be pathogenic. Creatine (Cr) level of the child was very low, and cerebral guanidinoacetate (GAA) level was slightly increased. But both had recovered to normal in two weeks, and cerebral Cr level was significantly improved after two months. Intellectual and motor development of the child were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The child was diagnosed with CCDS type 2, for which pathogenic variants of the GAMT gene may be accountable. Treatment has attained a satisfactory effect for the patient.

A case report of an intermediate phenotype between congenital myasthenic syndrome and D-2- and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria due to novel SLC25A1 variants.

BACKGROUND: Variants in the SLC25A1 gene are associated with a severe neurometabolic disease, D-2- and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (D/L-2-HGA). A report in 2014 presented the first account of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) with mild intellectual disability (ID) caused by SLC25A1. To date, only two missense variants in SLC25A1 have been linked to CMS. CASE PRESENTATIONS: A Chinese boy presented fatigable muscular weakness, myasthenic crisis, epilepsy and developmental delay along with mild elevation of urinary 2-ketoglutarate (2-KG) and lactic acid levels. He showed a partial response to pyridostigmine. Genetic analysis using trio whole-exome sequencing (WES), Sanger sequencing, and cosegregation analyses revealed two novel pathogenic variants of SLC25A1 (c.628C > T, p.R210X; c.145G > A, p.V49M). CONCLUSIONS: We report a boy who carries novel compound heterozygous variants of SLC25A1 and presents a phenotype intermediate between CMS and D/L-2-HGA. This case expands the range of known phenotypes and genotypes associated with SLC25A1.

Clinical and molecular characterization of pediatric mitochondrial disorders in south of China.

Mitochondrial disorders (MDs) are genetic ailments affecting all age groups. Epidemiological data and frequencies of gene mutations in pediatric patients in China are scarce. This retrospective study assessed 101 patients with suspected MDs treated at the Neurology Department of Children's Hospital, Fudan University, in 2011-2017. Mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (nDNA) samples were assessed by long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based whole mtDNA sequencing and whole exome sequencing (WES) for identifying pathogenic mutations. Muscle samples underwent various staining protocols and immunofluorescence for detecting selected proteins. Seventeen mutations in the MT-TL1, MT-COX2, MT-ND4, MT, tRNA TRNE, MT-TN, MT-TK, MT-ATP6, MT-ND6, MT-ND3 and MT-CO3 genes were identified in 39 patients, of which m.3243A > G, m.3303C > T, m.8993T > C/G, m.9176T > C, and m.10191T > C were most common. Mitochondrial myopathy and MELAS were most common for m.3243A > G mutation. Four novel mutations were detected, including m.9478insT, m.5666T > C, m.8265T > C, and m.8380-13600 deletion mutations related to Leigh syndrome, mitochondrial myopathy and KSS, respectively. Thirty-three mutations in the TK2, POLG, IBA57, HADHB, FBXL4, ALDH5A1, FOXRED1, TPK1, NDUFAF5, NDUFAF7, NDUFV1, CARS2, PDHA1, and HIBCH genes were identified in 19 patients, including 23 currently unknown. Higher rates of TK2, POLG, IBA57, and HADHB mutations were found in nDNA-mutated MD compared with the remaining individuals. Besides, IBA57 c.286T > C (p.Y96H), TK2 c.497A > T (p.D166V) founder mutations critically contributed to MDs. Comprehensive genomic analysis plays a critical role in pediatric MD diagnosis. These data summarize the relative frequencies of different gene mutations in a large Chinese population, and identified 23 novel MD-associated nDNA and 4 novel mtDNA mutations.

The CD4 Lymphocyte Count is a Better Predictor of Overall Infection Than the Total Lymphocyte Count in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Under a Corticosteroid and Cyclophosphamide Regimen: A Retrospective Cohort.

Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody associated vasculitis (AAV) have a high prevalence of infection during immunosuppressive therapy, and the total lymphocyte count (TLC) has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of infection. The current study investigated the value of the TLC and its subsets, particularly the CD4 count, for predicting infections of AAV in a single Chinese cohort.A total of 124 AAV patients were retrospectively recruited in our department from December 1997 to October 2013. Multivariate Cox models with the CD4 count or TLC measured at three typical time points, that is, at baseline, at the beginning of immunosuppressant dose reduction, and at the last visit before infection or censoring, or with the measurements included as time-varying covariates, were compared to select the most predictive time point for infection. A time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC(t)) for the TLC (AUC(t)TLC) and the CD4 count (AUC(t)CD4count) measured at the most predictive time point were calculated and compared.During an average follow-up of 11.5 (range 0.5-142) months, 55 of the 124 patients (44.3%) experienced a microbiologically confirmed infection. Independent predictors of overall infection were initial creatinine clearance (P = 0.02 and 0.04), pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (P = .04 and .05), pulmonary nodule or cavity (P = 0.002 and .002), CD4 count (P < 0.001) or TLC (P = 0.05) from the last visit. The comparison of Cox models fitted at different time points confirmed the last visit to be the most predictive one for overall infection. The predictive value of the CD4 count or TLC from the last visit measured by AUC showed that the AUC(t)CD4count (62.8-70.2%) was almost always higher than AUC(t)TLC (55.2-58.1%) during the first 2 years of immunosuppressive therapy (P = 0.01-0.2). In terms of different pathogens, both the CD4 count and TLC performed well for non-bacterial infection (AUC(t) 69.2-82.7%), and the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.1).The TLC and CD4 count were both independent risk factors of overall infection and non-bacterial infection in AAV patients. The CD4 count had a higher predictive value than the TLC for overall infections, particularly during the first 2 years of immunosuppressive therapy.