Objective To explore the correlation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with risk factors and target organ damage in hypertensive patients.Methods The levels of serum hs-CRP of 216 hypertensive cases (hypertension group) and 36 healthy subjects (control group) were tested and compared among different associated diseases, the number of involved target organ and the difference of involved target organ.The relativity between variables such as total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and so on and hs-CRP was analyzed by linear correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.Results The levels of serum hs-CRP in hypertension group were higher than those in control group[( 1.99 ± 0.34) mg/L vs.( 1.10 ± 0.26 ) mg/L](P ＜ 0.01 ).The levels of serum hs-CRP in hypertension combined with coronarv disease and hvoertension combined with diabetes mellitus[(2.39 ± 0.24), (2.10 ± 0.18 ) mg/L, respectively]were higher than those in simple hypertension[( 1.85 ± 0.30 ) mg/L], and the levels of serum hs-CRP in hypertension combined with coronary disease were higher than those in hypertension combined with diabetes mellitus, and there were significant difference (P ＜ 0.05 ).The levels of serum hs-CRP were positively correlated with the number of involved target organ (r =0.747,P ＜0.01 ).There were significant differences among different associated diseases.The levels of serum hs-CRP in hypertension combined with left ventricle thickening were higher than those in hypertension combined with carotid atherosclerosis, renal damage and diabetic retinopathy,and there were significant differences (P ＜ 0.05 ).There was no significant difference in the level of serum hs-CRP between hypertension combined with carotid atherosclerosis and hypertension combined with renal damage (P ＞ 0.05 ).Stepwise regression analysis showed that the dominating factors of the level of serum hs-CRP were LVMI, age and HDL-C, and the level of hs-CRP showed negative correlation with HDL-C.Conclusions The levels of serum hs-CRP in hypertensive patients are higher than those in healthy subjects.The more number of involved target organ, the higher levels of serum hs-CRP.Patients with different involved target organ have different inflammatory degree.The levels of serum hs-CRP in hypertension combined with coronary disease are higher than those in hypertension combined with diabetes mellitus.Stepwise regression analysis shows that the dominating factors for hs-CRP levels are LVMI, HDL-C and age.

Objective:To investigate the effect of lappaconitine (LA) on neuropathic pain (NPP) mediated by retrograde transport of purinergic P2X3 receptor (P2X3R) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve.Methods:Seventy-two male healthy SD rats were selected to construct the NPP model following CCI of the sciatic nerve by ligating the right sciatic nerve. according to the random number table method. The rats were divided into CCI group, CCI+LA group and normal control group according to the random number table method, with 24 rats in each group. In normal control group, the right sciatic nerve was exposed without ligation. In CCI+LA group, the rats were given 2 g/L LA (ie, 4 mg/kg intravenously for once a day for one day only) after the same treatment as CCI group. Other two groups were injected with the identical amount of normal saline in the same way. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were evaluated before injury and at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injury to evaluate the symptoms of neuralgia caused by nerve injury. The proximal and distal nerve fragments were collected in the three groups at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injury. Western blotting was applied to analyze the expression of P2X3R at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injury and the expression of neurotrophic factor (NGF) and tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) at 24 hours after injury to evaluate the effect of LA on P2X3R, NGF and TrkA.Results:There were insignificant differences in MWT and TWL among all groups before injury (all P>0.05). Compared with normal control group, MWT and TWL were significantly decreased in CCI group and CCI+LA group at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injury (all P<0.05 or 0.01). There were insignificant differences in MWT and TWL between CCI group and CCI+LA group at 2 and 6 hours after injury (all P>0.05), while MWT and TWL were significantly higher in CCI+LA group than those in CCI group at 12 and 24 hours after injury (all P<0.05 or 0.01). In the proximal sciatic nerve segment, Western blotting showed similar levels of P2X3R among all groups at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injury (all P>0.05). In the distal sciatic nerve segment, Western blotting showed higher expression of P2X3R in CCI group than that in normal control group at 2, 6, 12, 24 hours after injury (all P<0.01), higher expression of P2X3R in CCI+LA group than that in normal control group at 2, 6 and 12 hours after injury (all P<0.05), similar expression of P2X3R expression between CCI+LA group and normal control group at 24 hours after injury ( P>0.05), similar expression of P2X3R between CCI group and CCI+LA group at 2 and 6 hours after injury (all P>0.05), and lower expression of P2X3R in CCI+LA group than that in CCI group at 12 and 24 hours after injury ( P<0.05 or 0.01). In the proximal and distal nerve fragments, the expression of NGF was lower in normal control group than that in CCI group and CCI+LA group ( P<0.05 or 0.01), but was similar between CCI group and CCI+LA group at 24 hours after injury ( P>0.05). In the proximal and distal nerve fragments, there were insignificant differences in the expression of TrkA among all groups at 24 hours after injury (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Early LA treatment after injury can alleviate mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in NPP rats, which may be related to the reduction of P2X3R retrograde transport in DRG neuron axonal.

Objective To summarize the clinical manifestations of 46, XX ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD) caused by a NR5A1 heterozygous mutation. Methods The first case of 46,XX ovotesticular DSD was caused by a NR5A1 heterozygous mutation in China and was reported with a review of 11 similar cases in the literatures since July 2016. Results A 5. 6-year-old child raised as female was born with ambiguous genitalia. The left gonad was palpable in the inguinal region while the right one was located in abdomen. Gonadal histology showed both ovotestis. Vaginoscopy revealed a short, blind-ending vagina. No uterine was detected by laparoscopy. Repeated karyotype results were 46, XX with SRY gene negative. A heterozygous de novo mutation ( p. Arg92Trp) in the accessory DNA-binding region of NR5A1 gene was found in that child. Conclusions We reported for the first time in China a new phenotype caused by a NR5A1 heterozygous mutation-46,XX ovotesticular DSD. According to the review of literatures, such mutation seemed with incomplete penetrance. It could cause both 46, XX DSD and 46, XY DSD with varied manifestations. The possible underlying mechanism might relate to the impairment of the binding between the mutant protein and target DNA which might lead to a decreased inhibition of the male developmental pathway through downregulation of female antitestis genes.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics of two children with nonclassical 21 hydroxylase deficiency (NC-21OHD) due to variants of CYP21A2 gene promoter region. METHODS: Clinical characteristics and the results of genetic testing were reviewed. RESULTS: The main clinical manifestations of the two children included precocious puberty with poor bone age/progression control and menstrual disorder with hirsutism. Patient 1 had compound heterozygous variants for -126C>T, -113G>A, -110T>C and p.I173N; her mother was heterozygous for -126C>T, -113G>A and -110T>C, and her father was heterozygous for p.I173N. Patient 2 had compound heterozygous variants for -126C>T, -113G>A and p.I2G, whose mother was heterozygous for -126C>T and -113G>A, and father was heterozygous for p.I2G. CONCLUSION Diagnosis of NC-21OHD should be considered for children with hirsutism, menstrual disorder and poor bone age/progression control. The promoter region of CYP21A2 gene should be analyzed when no variant is detected in its coding regions.

Objective To investigate the cliuical phenotype and the genotype of forty-one patients with steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency.Methods The clinical data were collected including physical examination,medical history,laboratory test,as well as ultrasonic examination.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes.Sanger sequencing and targeted gene captured next-generation sequencing were applied to detect the SRDSA2 gene mutation.Results All the patients are Han nationality and their ages ranged from 4 months to 11 years old.The karyotypes of 41 patients were 46,XY and all SRY genes were detected as positive.There were 26 (63％) patients manifested isolated micropenis,and the rest of fifteen patients were hypospadias associated with microphallus accounting for 37％.There were 39 patients who carried biallelic mutation.Two cases just identified one allele mutation.Sixteen gene mutation types were confirmed.Among them c.725A ＞ G (p.Tyr242Cys),c.694C ＞ G (p.His232Asp),and c.548-9T＞G are the novel gene types.The allele frequency of c.680G＞A (p.Arg227Gln) is 60％ (48/80).Conclusion The primary manifestations of patients with steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency were micropenis or hypospadias accompanied with micropenis.c.680G＞A (p.Arg227Gln) is the predominantly mutation type of Chinese patient with steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features and mutation of MUT gene in a Chinese patient with isolated methylmalonic acidemia.

METHODSThe clinical characteristics and laboratory tests data were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. The 13 exons and their flanking sequences of the MUT gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe patient has featured failure to thrive, lethargy, seizure, hypotonia, severe ketoacidosis and hyperammonemia. Tandem mass results showed reduction of multiple acylcarnitine. Urine organic acid testing showed pronounced increase in methylmalonate excretion. Homocysteine was normal. The patient showed no response to vitamin B12 treatment. The above results suggested that the patient had isolated methylmalonic acidemia. DNA sequencing analysis confirmed that the patient has carried two MUT gene mutations, c.755dupA and a novel mutation c.944dupT.

CONCLUSIONInherited metabolic disease screening plays an important role in the diagnosis of clinical diseases. However, to confirm the results will need gene mutation analysis.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; enzymology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical phenotype and ACAT1 gene mutation in a family affected with beta-ketothiolase deficiency (BKTD).

METHODSClinical features and laboratory test data were collected. The probands were monozygotic twin brothers. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from the probands and their family members. Molecular genetic testing of the ACAT1 gene was carried out.

RESULTSThe probands have presented with fever, vomiting and severe ketoacidosis. By arterial blood gas testing, pH was determined to be 7.164, bicarbonate was 4.0 mmol/L, and urine ketone was ++++. Urinary organic acid gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed excessive excretion of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid and tiglylglycine. Increased 3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine (C4-OH), tiglylcarnitine(C5:1) and 3-hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine (C5-OH) levels. The clinical phenotype of proband's parents were both normal, but an elder sister turned out to be an affected patient. Genetic analysis has identified two heterozygous mutations [c.622C>T(p.R208X) and c.653C>T (p.S218F)] in the proband, which were respectively detected in the mother and father. The c.653C>T (p.S218F) mutation was not found among the 100 healthy controls and has not been included in the Human Gene Mutation Database(HGMD).

CONCLUSIONThe primary clinical manifestations of BKTD is ketoacidosis. Urine organic acid and blood acylcarnitine analyses play an important role in the diagnosis of the disease. The compound heterozygous of ACAT1 gene mutations probably underlie the BKTD in our patient.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; genetics ; Computational Biology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVETo explore pathogenic mutation in a family affected with 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria.

METHODSExons of 3 candidate genes, including L2HGDH, D2HGDH and SLC25A1, were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct sequencing.

RESULTSDNA sequencing has found that the proband and his affected younger brother have both carried a heterozygous mutation c.845G>A (p.R282Q) in the exon 7 of the L2HGDH gene. The same mutation was not detected in the his sister who was healthy. Pedigree analysis has confirmed that the above mutation was inherited from the mother. No mutation was detected in exons and flanking sequences of the D2HGDH and SLC25A1 genes.

CONCLUSIONMutation of the L2HGDH gene probably underlies the 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria in this family.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn ; diagnostic imaging ; enzymology ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Radiography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical and molecular features of a child with carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) deficiency.

METHODSClinical data of the child was collected. Blood acylcarnitine was determined with tandem mass spectrometry. DNA was extracted from the child and his parents. All exons and flanking regions of the CPT1A gene were analyzed by PCR and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSAnalysis showed that the patient carried compound heterozygous mutations c.1787T>C and c.2201T>C of the CPT1A gene, which derived his father and mother, respectively. Both mutations were verified as novel through the retrieval of dbSNP, HGMD and 1000 genome databases. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the mutations can affect protein function.

CONCLUSIONAcyl carnitine analysis has been the main method for the diagnosis of CPT1A deficiency. The c.1787T>C and c.2201T>C mutations of the CPT1A gene probably underlie the disease in this patient. Gene testing can provide important clues for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Base Sequence ; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Infant ; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Point Mutation ; Pregnancy

Objective To study the biological behavior of peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) in 3D composite scaffolds.Methods The proliferation and chondrogenesis of rabbit PBMSCs seeded on porcine cancellous bone (DCB) scaffolds were evaluated,and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and articular chondrocytes (ACCs) were used as controls.Cell morphology and distribution in scaffolds were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Live/Dead staining was employed to detect cell viability,Hoechst 33258 method to measure DNA content,dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay to detect glycosaminoglycan (GAG),enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence to detect the content of type 2 collagen (COL 2),and RT-PCR to analyze chondrogenesis-related gene expression.Results SEM showed that three kinds of cells uniformly adhered and evenly distributed in DCB scaffolds.Live/Dead staining observed the similar viability of the three kinds of cells three days after seeding (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the proliferation ability and DNA content among three kinds of cells after seven days of in vitro culture.After 21 days of chondrogenic culture,both PBMSCs and BMMSCs secreted more GAGs than ACCs,while the secretion of COL 2 was similar to that of ACCs.Moreover,the gene expression of AGC,COL 2 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly up-regulated (P＜0.05) in PBMSCs and BMMSCs but significantly down-regulated in ACCs (P＜0.05).The expression of COL 1 in MSCs groups displayed an increasing trend but a decreasing trend in ACCs group (P＞0.05).The gene expression of COL 2 and ALP,but not of AGC and COL 1,in PBMSCs and BMMSCs was higher than those in ACCs (P＜0.05).Conclusions PBMSCs and BMMSCs have similarly excellent proliferation and chondrogenesis potential in 3D porous DCB scaffolds.However,hypertrophic gene expression is still observed under in vitro culturing condition,suggesting the need to further optimize the culture system.