Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of rabies-exposed populations in Anji County, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2021, so as to provide insights into rabies control in the county. Methods: All data pertaining to rabies were captured from Monthly Report of Rabies-exposed Populations in Huzhou City and Investigation Form of Multiple Dog Injuries reported by dog injury clinics in Anji County from 2017 to 2021, and the species of animals causing dog injuries, duration, degree and site of exposure, and post-exposure treatment of rabies-exposed populations were descriptively analyzed. Results: Totally 46 186 cases with rabies exposure were reported in dog injury clinics in Anji County from 2017 to 2021, and the rate of exposure appeared a tendency towards a decline year by year (Z=-23.249, P<0.001), with an annual mean exposure rate of 1 739.59/105. The number of cases with exposure to rabies peaked in July and August (10 066 cases, 21.79%). Dogs were predominant animals causing injuries (31 732 cases, 68.70%), and the rate of exposure to dog bites appeared a tendency towards a decline year by year (Z=-35.541, P<0.001). There were 11 350 cases with cat-causing injuries (24.57%), and the rate of exposure to cat bites appeared a tendency towards a rise (Z=14.834, P<0.001). Lower extremity was the main site of exposure (22 364 cases, 48.42%), and the proportions of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ exposure to rabies were 72.85% and 25.23%, the rates of exposure both appeared a tendency towards a decline (Z=-14.522, P<0.001; Z=-21.820, P<0.001). The proportion of using human rabies immune globulin was 25.72% among populations with grade Ⅲ exposure, which appeared a tendency towards a rise (Z=6.636, P<0.001). Conclusions The rate of exposure to rabies appeared a tendency towards a decline in Anji County from 2017 to 2021. Dogs were predominant animals causing injuries, and the rate of cat bites appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2017 to 2021; however, the proportion of using human rabies immune globulin remains to be improved among populations with grade Ⅲ exposure.

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a patient with 17β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) 3 deficiency, regarding its pathophysiology and pathogenesis. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed in a pedigree of 17β-HSD3 deficiency. Blood samples from the patient and his parents were collected. HSD17B3 gene was screened for mutations by PCR and subclone sequencing. Results The patient presented with pubertal virilization and gynecomastia. The physical examination showed female external genitalia and testes in inguinal canals. The chromosome karyotype was 46, XY. Serum FSH, LH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and 17-OH-progesterone levels were raised, whereas plasma testosterone was lowered. Sequencing analysis revealed 4 nucleotide deletion (172-175del) of HSD17B3 gene. Conclusion Virilization and gynecomastia in puberty suggest the probability of 17β-HSD deficiency. It may be verified clinically by hCG-stimulating test and confirmed by gene diagnosis.

[Summary] A case of primary hyperparathyroidism ( PHPT ) complicated with Graves′disease was reported.The parathyroid lesion( s) could not be identified by repeated MIBI and ultrasonography tests.With the control of hyperthyroidism, medical therapies of hypercalcemia were still not effective, the serum calcium levels continued to be high.Thus, the decision to operate was made.The pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of parathyroid adenoma.For PHPT patients with clear surgical indications, even though the pre-operative localizing tests are negative, operation is still worth to try.

[Summary] Hypercalcemia in pregnancy is a rare condition which brings considerable risks to mother and fetus. The most common cause is primary hyperparathyroidism(PHPT). The untypical symptoms and biochemical tests results add obstacles in the diagnosis of PHPT during pregnancy. The management is difficult, due to restrictions in choices of treatments and lack of clinical guidelines. Severity evaluation which takes consideration of calcium homeostasis during pregnancy is crucial for appropriate management. Parathyroidectomy during the second trimester is recommended for those with high serum calcium levels.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ (IGF-Ⅰ) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), RANKL, and bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy women. MethodsBMD of lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured in 504 healthy women by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and their serum levels of IGF-Ⅰ, OPG, RANKL were also determined. ResultsAge was negatively correlated with serum level of IGF-Ⅰ in healthy women (r=-0.702, P

Objective To search the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exons of osteoprotegerin gene, and to analyse the relationship between SNP and bone mineral densities (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Methods Using PCR and direct sequencing to identify SNP and genotypes in 205 postmenopausal women. BMD at lumbar spine (L 2 4 ) and femoral neck (FN) were measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry. Serum osteocalcin (BGP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteoprotegerin ligand (RANKL) and urinary N telopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen (NTx) were also measured. Results One SNP, G1181C, was found in exon 1 of OPG gene. The frequencies of G1181C genotypes in 205 postmenopausal women were 0.566, 0.346, and 0.088 for the genotypes GG, GC and CC respectively. BMD at lumbar spine (L 2 4 ) of CC genotype was significantly higher than GC and GG genotypes (P

Objective To investigate the effects of the genetic polymorphisms in osteoporosis-related genes and the gene-gene interaction on bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporotic fractures.Methods Thirty-nine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in 23 genes that related to bone mineral density ( BMD ) and osteoporotic fractures were scanned in 683 Shanghai Han postmenopausal women.TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay or Sequenom Mass ARRAY System were applied for genotyping analysis.The relation of these SNP sites with BMD and osteoporotic fractures were analyzed.Results Altogether,12 SNPs in 9 candidate genes ( rs7524102 and rs6696981 in ZBTB40 gene,rs9479055 in ESR1 gene,rs6993813,rs6469804,and rs11995824 in OPG gene,rs3736228 in LRP5 gene,rs1107748 in SOST gene,rs87938 in CTNNB1 gene,rs1366594 in MEF2C gene,rs7117858 in SOX6 gene,and rs10048146 in FOXL1 gene) were associated with BMD at lumbar spine(L1-L4) or total hip.In addition,rs11898505 in SPTBN1 gene was related to osteoporotic fractures ( OR 0.522,95％ CI 0.326-0.838,P =0.007 ).Gene-gene interaction involving rs1038304 in ESR1 gene,rs1366594 in MEF2C gene,and rs10048146 in FOXL1 gene was associated with osteoporotic fractures ( P =0.010 7 ).Conclusions ( 1 ) SNPs in gene ZBTB40,ESR1,OPG,LRP5,SOST,CTNNB1,MEF2C,SOX6,FOXL1,and SPTBN1 are associated with BMD of lumbar spine or total hip,as well as osteoporotic fractures.(2) Gene-gene interaction involving rs1038304,rs1366594,and rs10048146may contribute to the risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Objective:To evaluate and compare the clinical value of unadjusted fracture risk assessment tool(FRAX) and adjusted FRAX in predicting the risk of hip fracture in patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM).Methods:In this 10-year retrospective cohort study, 1 730 patients with T2DM were collected from August 2009 to July 2013. The 10-year risk of hip fracture was calculated using the China FRAX model. Hip fracture events during the follow-up period were collected through electronic medical records and telephone interviews. The value of FRAX and adjusted FRAX in predicting the risk of hip fracture in T2DM patients was evaluated from two aspects of discrimination and calibration. Cox regression model was used to investigate the relationship between diabetes related factors and hip fracture.Results:A total of 39 participants(2.3%) experienced hip fracture during a median follow-up of 10 years. The area under the curve of unadjusted FRAX was 0.760, but the calibration ability was poor [calibration χ2: 75.78, P<0.001; calibration ratio(observation/prediction): 3.97(95% CI 2.76~5.17)]. There was no significant improvement in calibration ability of adjusted FRAX. After adjustment for unadjusted or adjusted hip fracture probability calculated by FRAX(FRAX-HF), duration, estimated glomerular filtration rate, insulin use, cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with an increased risk of hip fracture( P<0.05). Conclusion:The FRAX tool significantly underestimated the risk of hip fracture in T2DM patients, and there was still significantly underestimation after adjustment due to the failure to eliminate the influence of diabetes-related factors such as disease duration and peripheral neuropathy.

Objective:To systematically evaluate whether the early use of bracing after posterior lumbar fusion has advantages in terms of the improvement of clinical outcomes such as pain, functional disability, fusion rate, and complication rate in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:All randomized controlled trials of bracing performed after posterior lumbar fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases were searched in Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang database from January 1990 to May 2022. The data extracted were authors, year of publication, nationality, subject characteristics, sample size, surgical protocol, type and time of bracing, follow-up duration, preoperative and postoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS), postoperative fusion rate and complication rate. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. The use of fix- or random-effect models was depended on the magnitude of heterogeneity. Data analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 statistical software for meta analysis.Results:A total of five randomized controlled trials were included, all in English, with a total of 362 patients (male 144, female 218). The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of ODI scores [ MD=1.25, 95% CI(-2.39, 4.88), P=0.501]and VAS scores[ MD=0.21, 95% CI(-0.22, 0.63), P=0.340]between the brace group and the control group after operation. In terms of fusion rate, there was no significant difference between the brace group and the control group[ OR=0.59, 95% CI(0.25, 1.38), P=0.224]. In addition, there was also no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between two groups[ OR=1.12, 95% CI(0.58, 2.15), P=0.735]. Conclusion:The early use of bracing after lumbar fusion has no significant advantages in improving symptoms and functional recovery, fusion rate and surgical complications. The necessity of postoperative bracing after posterior lumbar fusion requires further high-quality research to prove.

Hypercalcemia, a common metabolic complication of malignancies, often referred to as hypercalcemia of malignancy(HCM), is associated with a high incidence and mortality rate. In 2023, the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and the European Society of Endocrinology released the Treatment of Hypercalcemia of Malignancy in Adults: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. This guideline aimed to address key clinical issues related to adult HCM, refractory and recurrent hypercalcemia, hypercalcemia associated with calcitriol, and hypercalcemia caused by adult parathyroid cancer. This article provides an overview of this guideline and offers some suggestions for managing related conditions in China.