Objective To analyze the clinical presentation and maternal-neonatal outcome of HELLP syndrome.Methods 32 cases with HELLP syndrome from January 2003 to January 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.Results The incidence of HELLP syndrome in preeclampsia was 3.7%.Complete HELLP were 17 cases,partial HELLP were 15 cases.Two pregnant women died(one case of intracranial hemorrhage,one case of acute left cardiac failure),the mortality was 6.3%.Five newborns died,the mortality was 15.6%.The main materal complications were DIC(8 cases),placental abruption(2 cases),intracranial hemorrhage(2 cases).The main perinatal complications were preterm labor(20 cases),newborn asphysia(17 cases),SGA(15 cases).Conclusion HELLP syndrome is one of the most serious obstetric complications,early diagnosis,early therapy,controlling hypertension and termination of pregnancy in time are most important for treatment.

Objective To explore the action mechanism of shenxiong glucose injection in treatment of acute spinal cord injury(SCI) through observing its effects on the recovery of motor function and the expression of aquaporin-4(AQP-4) in SCI rats.Methods Totally 90 healthy,aduh,Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group (n=30),aSCI group (n=30) and a drug group (n=30).The SCI rat models in both the SCI group and the drup group were established aecording to the modified Allen's method,while the sham operation group was only given laminectomy.After the operation,the drug group was given intraperitoneal shenxiong glucose injection of 30 rnl/kg a day,while the other two groups were injected in the same way with normal saline.The neural function recovery,the pathological changes after SCI and the expressions of AQP-4 were observed 1,3,7,14 and 21 d after the operation using the Tarlov score,the hematoxylin and eosin staining,as well as immunofluorescence techniques and Western blotting.And the correlation of Tarlov scores with AQP-4 expressions was analyzed.Results No significant changes in Tarlov scores were observed in the sham operation group (P ＞ 0.05),while in the SCI group and the drug group,postoperative Tarlov scores decreased significantly.The hindlimb nerve function recovered to some degree with time in the SCI group and drug group.At 3,7,14 and 21 days after the operation,the Tarlov scores in the drug group were significantly higher than the SCI group (P ＜ 0.05).The drug group showed less severe pathological changes,with more residual neurons still visible of nucleoli than the SCI group 21 days after the operation.Compared with the sham operation group,the expression levels of AQP-4 were significantly higher in the SCI group and drug group at all the time points (P ＜ 0.05).However,the expression levels of AQP-4 in the drug group were significantly lower than the SCI group accordingly (P ＜ 0.05).The Tarlov scores were found to be significantly and negatively related to the AQP-4 protein expression levels 3 days(r =-0.523,P =0.003),7 days(r =-0.437,P=0.016),14 days(r=-0.417,P=0.022) and 21 days(r=-0.377,P=0.040)after the operation.Conclusion Injecting shenxiong with glucose can effectively promote the recovery of motor function after SCI,at least in rats.And its mechanism may be that the development of spinal cord edema is prevented and the secondary spinal cord injury alleviated by restraining the expressions of AQ P-4 in the injured areas.

[Objective]To compare the differences of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD)and multiple sclerosis (MS) on pregnancy ,and analyze the mutual impact of pregnancy on the diseases.[Methods]Prospectively collected clinical information of 235 NMOSD patients and 125 MS patients ,including the annualized relapse rate (ARR),the Expanded Disability Status Scale(EDSS)and pregnancy outcomes. 70 NMOSD patients and 30 MS patients were screened out as information patients. The ARR and EDSS score in two groups were compared during the year before pregnancy,during pregnancy and after 1 year postpartum, respectively. 50 cases of normal pregnant women for the same period as the control group ,then to compared the difference of three groups on pregnancy outcomes.[Results]Attacks occurring during pregnancy or one year after childbirth/abortion in NMOSD and MS were 53.25%(41/77)and 20.00%(7/35)(P=0.001);The ARR during the first 3 months postpartum periods of NMOSD and MS group(2.65,2.51)was significantly higher than during the year before pregnancy(0.27,0.49,P < 0.001)and during pregnancy (0.32,0.2,P<0.001);The EDSS score of two groups increased after 1 year postpartum(3.06 ± 2.16,2.19 ± 1.28)than that during the year before pregnancy(1.58 ± 0.48,1.92 ± 1.29,P < 0.001)and during pregnancy(1.92 ± 1.35,1.67 ± 0.70,P < 0.001). There was no difference on ARR and EDSS score between NMOSD and MS group. NMOSD ,MS and normal control group had no dif?ference on pregnancy outcomes and neonatal weight.[Conclusions]Compared with MS,the attack of NMOSD had more closer relation?ship with pregnancy;both NMOSD and MS would increase the risk of disease relapsing and disability after pregnancy;the diseases had no effect on pregnancy outcomes.

As a relatively new sonographic technique, tissue elastography has emerged as a qualitative and potentially quantitative adjunctive tool to provide additional information on tissue stiffness, aiming to further improve diagnostic confidence in discriminating benign from malignant focal testicular lesions. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the elastography techniques used to assess focal testicular lesions and their typical appearance on tissue elastography.
Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; Epidermal Cyst ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography

Objective: To reveal the molecular epidemiologic characteristics of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene and to evaluate based on the genetic analysis the newborn screening program performance and enzymatic diagnosis of G6PD deficiency in Guangzhou. Methods: G6PD enzyme activities were measured by quantitative fluorescence assay in dry blood spots of 16 319 newborns(8 725 males, 7 594 females) 3-7 days after birth in Guangzhou Newborn Center. They were born in Guangzhou form Oct. 1 to 20, 2016. The cutoff value of G6PD was less than 2.6 U/g Hb in dry blood spots. G6PD deficiency was diagnosed when G6PD<1 700 U/L or G6PD/6PGD<1 in red blood cells. Genetic analysis of G6PD gene was performed on the dry blood spot samples of 823 newborns (including positive 346, negative 477)with various levels of G6PD enzyme activities through fluorescence PCR melting curve analysis(FMCA) to detect 15 kinds of mutations reported to be common among Chinese.G6PD gene Sanger sequency was performed in seven highly suspicious patients with negative results by FMCA. Results: (1) Using the cutoff value of G6PD< 2.6 U/g Hb , a total of 687(4.2%) newborns showed positive screening results, including 560 (6.4%) males and 127(1.7%) females. (2) Among the newborns with positive screening results, 214 males and 122 females were randomly chosen for G6PD gene analysis. The results showed that 197 (92.1%) males were hemizygote and 108(88.6%) females were mutation carriers with one to four alleles. Among the newborns with negative screening results, 41 males with G6PD 2.6-2.8 U/g Hb and 436 females with G6PD 2.6-4.5 U/g Hb were chosen for genetic analysis.Mutations were detected in 5(12.2%)boys, and 226(51.8%) girls were carriers.G6PD gene Sanger sequency of seven highly suspicious patients showed that c.406C>T, c.551C>T, c.835A>T hemizygote were found in 3 male's samples, respectively. (3) The estimated prevalence of harboring mutation was 6.0% in males and 13.5% in females according to rates of mutation in samples with various levels of G6PD enzyme activities. Six common mutations were c.1388G>A、c.1376G>T, c.95A> G, c.871G>A, c.1024C>T, c.392G>T, accounting for 95.5% of detected alleles .(4) based on results of G6PD gene analysis, the newborn scereening of G6PD deficiency with cutoff value G6PD<2.6 U/g Hb yielded a positive predict value(PPV) of 93.5%, a false-positive rate of 0.5%, and a sensitivity of 99.0% for males. A PPV of 88.5%, a false-positive rate of 0.2% . The prevalence of severe type G6PD deficiency in females was about 1.5%. Compared with to genetic analysis, the sensitivity and PPV of G6PD activity assay in red blood cells were 95.5%, 97.2%, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in males was 6.0% in Guangzhou. Six mutations c.1388G>A, c.1376G>T, c.95A>G, c.871G>A, c.1024C>T, c.392G>T accounted for 95.5%. The cutoff value of G6PD<2.6 U/g Hb innewborn screening program and the criteria of biochemical diagnosis could accurately identify G6PD deficiency . Combined with biochemical and molecular analysis will improve the accuracy of diagnosis of G6PD deficiency and detect more heterozygous females.

Objective:To investigate the sensitivity of newborn screening for neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by Citrin deficiency (NICCD) based on tandem mass spectrometry and the carrying rate of known pathogenic variants of SLC25A13 in Guangzhou population. Methods:A total of 124 250 neonates born in Guangzhou from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 were performed newborn screening for NICCD by tandem mass spectrometry technology. SLC25 A13 gene mutation analysis was performed to diagnose patients with suspected NICCD.The carrying rate of known pathogenic variants of the SLC25 A13 gene in the whole exon sequencing results of 2 395 healthy children in Guangzhou was retrospective analyzed. Results:Among the 124 250 screened neonates, 31 cases were screened positive for NICCD and one of them was confirmed.Three false negative patients with NICCD were found in this cohort.NICCD screening sensitivity was 25%(1/4 cases). All of the four patients were homozygous for c. 851_854del of SLC25A13.Among 2 395 controls, 60 cases were detected heterozygous variant of SLC25A13, including 8 kinds of reported pathogenic variants.The carrying rate of pathogenic alleles was 1/40 (60/2 395 cases). The estimated prevalence of citrin deficiency was about 1/6 400.The most common variant was c. 851_854del (56.7%, 34/60 cases), and the second was c. 790G>A (23.3%, 14/60 cases). The controversial variant c. 2T>C was detected in 113 children with heterozygous and 2 cases with homozygous and the carrying rate of c. 2T>C was 1/20(117/2 395 cases). Conclusions:The carrying rate of pathogenic variants of SLC25A13 and the estimated prevalence of Citrin deficiency in Guangzhou population are high.The sensitivity of newborn screening for NICCD by tandem mass spectrometry is limited.Even if the negative results for screening of multiple genetic and metabolic diseases by tandem mass spectrometry, it is recommended to recheck blood for newborns or infants with delayed jaundice to avoid missed diagnosis.

Objective: To explore the TPO, DUOX2 and DUOXA2 genotypes and phenotypes of children with permanent congenital hypothyroidism(PCH) suspected dyshormonogenesis in Guangzhou, identified and treated at Guangzhou Newborn Screening Center. Six of them were born between 2011 and 2012. Method: Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 9 children with PCH suspected dyshormonogenesis. Genetic analysis of TPO, DUOX2 and DUOXA2 genes were performed with Sanger sequencing. Result: Of the 9 patients, four were identified variants in TPO gene including three cases with biallelic variants and one case with monoallelic variant. Novel c. 1784G>C( p. R595T) variant in TPO was predicted to be damaging by SIFT and PolyPhen-2. Four patients harbored monoallelic known variants in DUOX2 gene and the other one harbored heterozygous known mutation c. 738C>G(p.Y246X) in DUOXA2 gene.Two adolescent patients with biallelic variants in TPO gene showed classical PCH phenotypes with thyroid goiter or nodules. The six patients with monoallelic variant in TPO, DUOX2 or DUOXA2 presented variable phenotypes. Among the 433 578 newborns in the 2011-2012 cohort, there were 156 cases of CH. Six of these cases were PCH suspected dyshormonogenesis, among which 1 case was confirmed TPO biallelic variants and 5 cases were monoallelic variants of TPO, DUOX2, or DUOXA2 genes. Conclusion TPO and DUOX2 variants are the common molecular pathogenesis in children with PCH suspected dyshormonogenesis. Monoallelic variants in TPO, DUOX2 or DUOXA2 are associated with PCH and showed wide variability in their phenotypes. The novel variant p. R595T in TPO is probably a pathologic variant. The prevalence of PCH caused by TPO gene defects is rare in Guangzhou.

Objective: To investigate prospectively molecular and clinical characteristics of infants with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) caused by DUOX2 mutations in Guangzhou. Methods: A population-based cohort of 83 patients with CH were recruited based on newborn screening results among 108 899 newborns who were born in Guangzhou between April 1 and September 30 in 2015.Genetic analysis of DUOX2 hotspots(including 11 exons)by PCR-direct sequencing was performed in 52 patients with suspected thyroid dyshormonogenesis (SDH) according to thyroid ultrasound at diagnosis.All the patients were followed up for 3 years.The data of this cohort study(prevalence of CH, detection rate of DUOX2, clinical features) were compared with those of 96 patients with SDH in 2011-2012. Results: (1) The incidence of CH in 2015 was 1∶1 312, and 73.5%(61/83 cases) of CH patients were classified as SDH.Compared with those founded in 2011-2012, the incidence of CH was increased (1∶1 312 vs.1∶2 779), and the difference was significant (P<0.001), while the frequency of SDH was not different significantly (73.5%vs.76.6%, P=0.593). (2)There were 27 cases(51.9%) with SDH detected DUOX2 hotspots variants, including 6 cases with biallelic variants, 21 cases with monoallelic variants, and 1 possible new pathogenic variant p. S1091F.The p. K530X was the most common mutation accounting for 51.5%(17/33 cases) detected allelic and involving in 16 cases (30.8%) with SDH.Novel p. S1091F variant was probably damaging variant.Both detected rate and spectrum of DUOX2 variant were not significantly different compared with those in 2011-2012 (all P>0.05). (3) There were no significant differences in the levels of thyrotropin (bsTSH), serum TSH (sTSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroglobulin in neonates with dry blood spot at diagnosis between children with DUOX2 and without DUOX2 variants cases(all P>0.05). Among 27 cases, 24(88.9%) patients with DUOX2 mutation were transient CH, and 3 cases were permanent CH. Conclusions The incidence of CH was increased in last few years in Guangzhou.Most of them were SDH, and 51.9% of SDH cases had DUOX2 hotspots variants.Temporary CH is the main clinical outcome.The p. K530X was the most common mutation in this cohort population.

Objective:To evaluate and improve the performance of the newborn screening program for primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) based on tandem mass spectrometry and to investigate the incidence of PCD and molecular characteristics of SLC22A5 gene in Guangzhou.Methods:A total of 200 180 neonates born in Guangzhou from 2015 to 2019 were enrolled into the newborn screening program for PCD by tandem mass spectrometry at Guangzhou Newborn Screening Center. The positive results of screening for PCD was defined as free carnitine (C0) less than 10 μmol/L with decreased acylcarnitine species in dried blood spots of three to seven days after birth. Screen-positive newborns and their mothers were recalled for another blood spot sample. The diagnosis was confirmed based on decreased levels of C0 and acylcarnitine species in recalled blood spots and genetic analysis in SLC22A5 gene sequencing. The utility of using the sum of propionylcarnitine and palmitoylcarnitine (C3+C16) as a biomarker for acylcarnitine species in newborn screening was retrospectively evaluated. The levels of C0 and (C3+C16) at first screening were compared between newborns with PCD and newborns born to mothers with PCD by independent t test. The variant spectrum and known pathogenic variants carrier rate of SLC22A5 in 2 395 healthy children in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center through whole exon sequencing were analyzed. Results:Among 200 180 neonates, 239 (0.12%) cases were screen-positive for PCD. A total of 37 patients including 15 newborns and 22 mothers had confirmed PCD. The incidence of PCD was 1/13 345 in newborns and 1/9 099 in mothers, respectively. The positive predictive value of this program was 15.5%. Taking cutoff values of C0<8.5 μmol/L or C0 8.5~9.9 μmol/L with (C3+C16)<2 μmol/L, the number of screen-positive cases would be reduced from 810 to 224 without additional false negative case, when compared with cutoff value C0<10 μmol/L only. Both levels of C0 and (C3+C16) at first screening were not significant difference between newborns with PCD and newborns born to mothers with PCD ((6.2±2.4) vs. (5.0±1.8) μmol/L, (1.4±0.4) vs. (1.2±0.5) μmol/L, t=3.826, 0.326; P=0.058, 0.572). Seven PCD mothers experienced moderate fatigue and dizziness in the morning. One of them presented with cardiomyopathy in pregnancy. Genetic analysis of the SLC22A5 gene showed that p.S467C, p.F17L, p.R254X were the three most common variants in newborns with PCD. In PCD mothers and healthy children, the p.S467C, p.F17L and R399W were the three most common whereas the severe variant p.R254X was rare. The population carrier rate for pathogenic variants was 1 in 65 and the estimated incidence of PCD was about 1/16 500. Conclusions:Newborn screening can detect PCD both in newborns and mothers. Adding a quantitative biomarker (C3+C16) <2 μmol/L into the newborn screening program can improve the PCD screen performance. The severe variant p.R253X was common in PCD newborns but rare in PCD mothers and healthy children, indicating that the current screening program maybe failed to detect all PCD newborns and under-estimated the incidence rate of PCD in Guangzhou.

Objective:To reveal the relationship between G6PD genotypes and the G6PD enzyme activities in dried blood spots of newborn screening.Methods:Simple random sampling procedure was used in this study. The fluorescence PCR melting curve analysis was performed to classify G6PD gene variants in 635 neonates coming from Guangzhou Newborn Screening Center during October 1 to 20, 2016, including 15 reported variants. Those samples consisted of 377 cases with screening positive results (261 from males and 116 from females) and 258 cases with screening negative results (32 from males and 226 from females). The cut-off value of G6PD was less than 2.6 U/g Hb in dry blood spots. Sanger sequencing for G6PD gene was used in 7 cases with screening negative results under simple random sampling. One-way ANOVA and least significant difference method (LSD) test were performed to compare the difference of G6PD activity among genotypes.Results:The top 6 frequency of G6PD gene variants were c.1388G>A(35.07%), c.1376G>T(32.13%), c.95A>G(12.72%), c.871G>A(8.32%), c.1024C>T(4.08%) and c.392G>T(2.28%), accounting for 94.62% of all variant alleles (580/613). A total of 253 males positive for enzyme activity were detected to have gene mutations. The positive rate of G6PD enzyme activity was 98.06%(253/258). The mean values of G6PD activities for c.1376G>T,c.95A>G and c.1388G>A were 0.85, 1.10 and 1.28 U/g Hb, respectively. There were significant differences among the three groups ( F=28.7, P<0.01). A total of 105 females positive for enzyme activity were detected to have gene mutations. The positive rate of G6PD enzyme activity was 90.52%(105/116). The positive rate of G6PD enzyme activity was 26.95% among 256 females with one point mutation while it was 83.72% in females with multi-allele variants. The G6PD activity of heterozygous females was (2.9±0.8) U/g Hb, which was significant higher than that of females with multi-allele variants (1.5±1.0) U/g Hb ( t=8.6, P<0.01). Conclusions:G6PD activities in dried blood spots were related to G6PD genotypes in males. They were also associated with the numbers of allele variants in females. Newborn screening for G6PD deficiency can be used to detect most of G6PD-deficient hemizygotes and female patients with multi-allele variants, which is helpful for preventing neonatal jaundice and medicine application.