Objective To screen the genes related with signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) regulating pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis by gene chips.Methods Human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 stably expressing low level of Stat3 was established by lentivirus transfection,while cells transfected with mock plasmid and cells without transfection served as control groups.The differences of invasion and metastasis related genes expression among the three groups were screened by gene chips.STAT3 mRNA and protein expression was measured by real-time PCR and Western blot.Three differentially expressed genes (MMP-7,IL-1β and IgTα7) were verified.ResultsThe expression level of STAT3 mRNA was 0.391 ± 0.037 after pancreatic cancer SW1990 cell trarsfected with STAT3 targeted lentivirus,which was significantly lower than those in mock plasmid group (1.002 ± 0.015) and nontransfected group ( 1.206 ± 0.042,P ＜ 0.05 ) ; the expression level of STAT3 protein was 182.38 ± 65.32,which was significantly lower than those in mock plasmid group (223.40 ±58.40) and non-transfected group (212.33 ±53.69).Eight invasion and metastasis related genes of SW1990 lowly expressing Stat3 were upregulated,while 3 genes were down-regulated.By verification,the mRNA level of MMP-7 and IL-1β were lower than in control group transfected with mook plassmid(0.287 ± 0.115 vs 1.010 ± 0.124,t =19.45,P =0.000;0.490 ± 0.10 vs 1.002 ± 0.002,t =13.83,P =0.000),but the mRNA level of IgTα7 was not decreased (1.173 ±0.280 vs 0.998 ±0.003,t =4.236,P =0.094).Meanwhile,the protein level of MMP-7 was significantly down-regulated when Stat3 was knocked down.ConclusionsStat3 causes changes of expressions of many invasion and metastasis-related genes of SW1990,and MMP-7 may be the main target gene regulated by Stat3.

Objective: To evaluate reliability and validity of ATQ. Methods: A total of 350 undergraduates and 102 Psychiatric patients were tested by ATQ and BDI. Results:The ATQ attained good psychometric properties: Cronbach α of ATQ was 0.95, spit-half correlations ranged from 0.90 to 0.94; correlation coefficient between ATQ and BDI was 0.54 for normal undergraduates, 0.60 for schizophrenics, and 0.75 for depressive subjects (p<0.001). There were significant difference among non-depressed undergraduates、depressed undergraduates、schizophrenics and depressive patients. Conclusion: The present study provided empirical support for the reliability and validity of ATQ.

Objective To assess the feasibility of double phase subtraction angiography with second generation (128-slice )dual-source CT in low dose Flash spiral scan mode for the evaluation of cerebral vessel,compared with dual-energy subtraction angiogra-phy.Methods 60 patients underwent double phrase CT angiography were divided into group A (n = 30,with Flash spiral scan mode),group B(n=30,with dual-energy scan mode).The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),the contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)and the av-erage radiation of double phrase subtraction images were measured in two groups,respectively.The double phase subtraction images quality were graded by 2 independent readers on a 5-point scale(5=excellent)in double-blind,according to various degrees of the re-sidual bones,the vessel displayed and luminal integrity,respectively.Differences between two groups were analyzed by Mann-whit-ney test and t test.Results The double phrase image SNR showed no difference to both two groups(P >0.05).The image CNR of arterial and venous phase in group A were higher than that of group B(40.89±8.89 and 40.27 ±9.90 in group A vs 35.28 ±8.43 and 34.89±8.66 in group B;P <0.05)respectively.There were no singnificant difference in the bone removal image scores of doub-le phase and in the vessel image scores of venous phase to both two groups respectively(P >0.05).The vessel image scores of arterial phase were higher in group A than that of group B(4.93±0.25 vs 3.87±0.97;P <0.05).Some internal carotid in the base of skull has not good luminal integrity in group B.The mean dose length product (DLP)in group A was lower than that of group B,with a 39 percent reduction[(226±5.69 )mGy/cm vs (368 ± 21.35 )mGy/cm,P < 0.05 ].Conclusion With the roughly similar image quality to dual-energy double phase subtraction angiography,the cerebral vessels can be assessed using dual-source CT subtraction angiography in Flash spiral scan mode and a lower radiation dose.

Objective To improve the awareness of fetal cardiac rhabdomyomas (CRs) and investigate a better model for prenatal diagnosis and treatment through analyzing imaging findings and prognosis.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 23 cases of CRs which were diagnosed by ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from January 2008 to November 2015.General conditions,imaging features,prognosis and follow-up data of the 23 cases were described.Results The average gestational age of the 23 fetuses at diagnosis was (29.8±4.1) (22.4-35.7) weeks.Seventeen out of the 23 gravidas received prenatal multidisciplinary consultation.Among all 23 gravidas,three (13％) were lost to follow-up,12 (52％) decided to terminate the pregnancy,and the other eight (35％) continued to term pregnancy and their babies were followed up for three years.Of these eight cases,two cases received prenatal brain MRI and no tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) was detected,no CRs was identified during the follow-up,and their physical and mental developments were both normal.One case was diagnosed with suspected subependymal nodules by prenatal brain MRI in our hospital,but the MRI images was normal when scanned in the other hospital,and follow-up data revealed neither CRs nor abnormal physical and mental developments.Four cases did not received prenatal brain MRI,but the MRI images of neonatal brains indicated TSC,besides,follow-up data showed that seizures were observed,physical developments were all normal,but three of the four cases had mental retardation;CRs disappeared in only two of the four cases.One case had neither prenatal nor neonatal MRI,but follow-up data showed that CRs had disappeared and physical and mental developments were both normal.Conclusions Prenatal diagnosis of fetal tuberous sclerosis is crucial to the prognosis of CRs.Prenatal ultrasonography in combination with cranial MRI improves the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis of CRs complicated with TSC and assists in clinical decision-making and prognosis analysis.

Objective To study the expression and significance of CD68 and TGF-β2 in benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods The immunohistochemistry PV two step method was used to detect the expression level of CD68 and TGF-β2 in 90 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia and combined with clinical data were analyzed.Results Positive rate of CD68 as macrophages marker was 86%(77/90) in the epithelial cells,positive rate of TGF-β2 as transforming growth factor marker was 79%(71/90) in epithelial cells and stromal cells. Immune inlfammation mediated by macrophages,with coloring degree deepening,the degree of immune inlfammation increased,larger prostate volume(P<0.01),IPSS score higher (P<0.01),maximum urinary lfow rate lower(P<0.01),the dffierences between groups were statistically significant.Conclusions This point may indicate immune inlfammation play an important role in the development process of BPH and help to complete the pathogenisis theory.

OBJECTIVETo examine the prevalence and the sequence of the genes of new genotypes of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in Guangxi, China.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 85 intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs), 80 patients with liver diseases (PLDs) and 50 blood donors (BDs). All sera (n=215) were tested by using EIA for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV, and by using nested PCR for HGV RNA. In 62 subjects positive for HGV, HGV RNA was sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed for analyzing genotypes of HGV.

RESULTSHGV RNA was detected in 85 of 215 serum samples (39.53%). The positivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV were 39.07%, 42.79% and 0, respectively. First, 11 nucleotide sequences were determined and the isolates were grouped into three clusters with HGV. 5 of 11 HGV isolates clustered in a distinct phylogenetic branch (genotype Asia) which was different from the described GBV-C and HGV sequences, suggesting the presence of a new genotype of HGV in this locality. Second, 51 nucleotide sequences were determined and analyzed for their genotypes of HGV, and showed genotype GBV-C (3.23%), genotype HGV 30-65% and new genotype (genotype Asia) 64.51%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThere were subgenotypes in 3 genotypes of HGV; The predominant genotypes of HGV were genotype Asia and genotype HGV among IVDAs, PLDs, and BDs patients in Guangxi, China.

Adult ; Blood Donors ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; GB virus C ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; virology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; virology

Purpose: Seroma formation is a common complication in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy, and it negatively affects patient recovery after surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate a simple method using fascia suture technique to fix the flap and reduce the incidence of seroma. Methods: A single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial was carried out among 160 patients who had undergone mastectomy from May 2018 to September 2019. All patients were randomly divided into the fascia suture group (n = 80) or control group (n = 80) and were followed up for at least 3 months for the assessment of immediate and late complications after surgery. Results: No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups with regard to the basic characteristics. Duration of surgery in the fascia suture group was longer by about 6 minutes compared with that in the control group (114.93 ± 13.67 minutes vs. 108.81 ± 15.20 minutes, p = 0.008). The fascia suture group had a shorter duration of drain placement (10.99 ± 3.26 days vs. 13.85 ± 5.37 days, p < 0.001), a smaller volume of the total drainage (460.95 ± 242.92 mL vs. 574.83 ± 285.23 mL, p = 0.007), and the first 3-day drainage (224.96 ± 101.01 mL vs. 272.3 ± 115.47 mL, p = 0.006), compared with the control group. The incidence of seroma formation (G2 or G3) was significantly lower in the fascia suture group compared with the control group (28.8% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.033). Besides, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups in the assessment of other complications, including postoperative pain, hematoma, surgical site infections, flap necrosis, and skin dimpling (all p > 0.050). Conclusion The fascia suture technique is a simple and effective method for reducing seroma formation and should be used to prevent seroma formation after mastectomy.

Objective:To investigate the influence of glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78) on prognosis and tumor cell proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The experimental study and retrospective cohort study were conducted. Based on hepatocellular carcinoma tissue chip, in vitro culture of Huh7 and Hep3B hepatoma cells and LO2 normal hepatic cell, and combined with immunohistochemical staining, cell transfection, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot detection, cell proliferation experiments, cell clone formation experiments and high-throughput transcription histological analysis, the GRP78 expression in hepatoma cells was analyzed. Huh7 and Hep3B hepatoma cells being transfected with the GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses or the negative control shRNA lentivirus were set as the GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentivirus group and the negative control shRNA lentivirus group respectively. Observation indicators: (1) GRP78 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and adjacent tissue and its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma patients; (2) analysis of factors affecting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients; (3) effects of inhibiting of GRP78 expression on the proliferation of hepatoma cells; (4) effects of inhibiting of GRP78 expression on the gene and protein expression of p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 in hepatoma cells; (5) effects of HA15 on the proliferation and the gene and protein expression of p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 in hepatoma cells. Measurement data of the normal distribution were expressed as Mean± SD, and comparison of groups was conducted using the t test or ANOVA. Repeated measurement data were analyzed using repeated ANOVA. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers, and comparisons between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. COX proportional hazards regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival time and draw survival curve, and the Log-rank test was used for generative analysis. Results:(1) GRP78 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and adjacent tissue and its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma patients: results of immunohistochemical staining of hepatocellular carcinoma tissue chip showed that GRP78 was low-expressed in 53 cases and high-expressed in 37 cases of the 90 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. GRP78 was low-expressed in 84 cases and high-expressed in 6 cases of the 90 paracancerous tissues. There was a significant difference in GRP78 expression between hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and paracancerous tissues ( P<0.05). (2) Analysis of factors affecting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients: all 90 patients were followed up for 5 to 56 months, with a median follow-up time of 49 months. The median overall survival time and median disease progression-free survival time were 56 months and 53 months in the 53 hepatocellular carcinoma patients with GRP78 as low-expressed, versus 32 months and 19 months in the 37 hepatocellular carcinoma patients with GRP78 as high-expressed, respec-tively, showing significant differences ( χ2=17.482, 12.097, P<0.05). Results of univariate analysis showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tumor pathological grading and GRP78 expression were related factors affecting the 3-year overall survival rate and disease progression-free survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma patients ( hazard ratio=2.317, 2.039, 3.740 and 2.194, 2.177, 2.927, 95% confidence interval as 1.150?4.671, 1.201?3.462, 2.116?6.612 and 1.048?4.593, 1.093?4.336, 1.492?5.742, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that ALT >40 U/L, tumor pathological grading as Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade and GRP78 as high-expressed were independent risk factors affecting the 3-year overall survival rate and disease progression-free survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma patients ( hazard ratio=2.438, 2.245, 3.223 and 3.046, 2.473, 3.307, 95% confidence interval as 1.114?5.334, 1.047?4.814, 1.396?7.440 and 1.337?6.940, 1.141?5.360, 1.399?7.819, P<0.05). (3) Effects of inhibiting of GRP78 expression on the proliferation of hepatoma cells: ①results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of GRP78 messenger RNA (mRNA) in Huh7, Hep3B, and LO2 cells were 3.06±0.33, 4.42±0.60 and 1.00±0.02. There were significant differences in GRP78 mRNA expression between Huh7 and LO2 cells or Hep3B and LO2 cells ( t=6.19, 5.42, P<0.05). ②Results of Western Blot detection showed that the relative expression of GRP78 protein in Huh7, Hep3B, and LO2 cells were 1.65±0.01, 1.77±0.01 and 0.99±0.02. There were significant differences in GRP78 protein expression between Huh7 and LO2 cells or Hep3B and LO2 cells ( t=75.09, 108.10, P<0.05). ③Results of cell proliferation experiments showed that the growth rates in Hu7 GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells and Hu7 negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours were 111.51%±0.35%, 144.85%±0.68%, 188.71%±3.62%, 282.51%±5.25% and 190.08%±0.58%, 285.76%±2.69%, 459.51%±4.29%, 597.88%±12.25%, showing signifi-cant differences ( Fgroups=1 360.000, Ftime=668.500, Finteraction=197.600, P<0.05). The growth rates in Hep3B GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells and Hep3B negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours were 124.47%±0.25%, 153.25%±1.25%, 195.45%±3.19%, 282.51%±10.76% and 179.69%±0.33%, 322.67%±2.46%, 486.27%±5.82%, 622.35%±12.58%, showing significant differences ( Fgroups=1 222.000, Ftime=706.200, Finteraction=179.600, P<0.05). ④Results of the cell clone formation experiments showed that the number of cells in Hu7 GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells and Hu7 negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells were 125±3 and 435±17, showing a significant difference ( t=17.86, P<0.05). The number of cells in Hep3B GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells and Hep3B negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells were 138±3 and 388±7, showing a significant difference ( t=32.29, P<0.05). (4) Effects of inhibiting of GRP78 expression on the gene and protein expression of p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 in hepatoma cells: results of high-throughput transcription histological analysis showed that the relative expression rates of p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 were 19%, 334%, 398%, 41% and 49% in the Hu7 GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells comparing to the Hu7 negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells. ①Results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 mRNA were 0.17±0.03, 4.05±0.71, 3.73±0.47, 0.49±0.09, 0.48±0.06, 0.36±0.07 in the Hu7 GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells, versus 1.00±0.05, 1.03±0.17, 1.00±0.07, 1.01±0.09, 1.02±0.14, 1.00±0.03 in the Hu7 negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells, showing significant differences ( t=14.62, 4.17, 5.72, 4.26, 3.49, 8.82, P<0.05). The relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 mRNA were 0.11±0.01, 4.28±0.43, 4.19±0.22, 0.44±0.01, 0.25±0.03, 0.68±0.04 in Hep3B GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells, versus 1.01±0.09, 1.02±0.15, 1.00±0.06, 1.01±0.09, 1.01±0.08, 1.15±0.02 in Hep3B negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells, showing significant differences ( t=10.19, 7.14, 13.79, 6.37, 9.42, 9.61, P<0.05). ②Results of Western Blot detection showed that the relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 protein were 0.45±0.01, 1.98±0.05, 2.31±0.12, 0.75±0.03, 0.69±0.04, 0.82±0.03 in the Hu7 GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells, versus 1.01±0.05, 1.03±0.01, 1.00±0.02, 1.00±0.01, 1.01±0.02, 1.00±0.03 in the Hu7 negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells, showing significant differences ( t=11.07, 14.56, 11.30, 11.29, 10.55, 11.37, P<0.05). The relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 protein were 0.61±0.03, 1.98±0.16, 2.55±0.12, 0.85±0.03, 0.78±0.01, 0.54±0.02 in Hep3B GRP78 gene-specific shRNA lentiviruses group cells, versus 1.00±0.03, 1.05±0.02, 1.05±0.01, 1.05±0.02, 1.00±0.02, 1.00±0.02 in Hep3B negative control shRNA lentivirus group cells, showing significant differences ( t=10.97, 13.40, 12.35, 11.06, 12.45, 13.78, P<0.05). (5) Effects of HA15 on the proliferation and the gene and protein expression of p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 in hepatoma cells: results of 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) test of HA15 showed that the IC50 of HA15 for Huh7 and Hep3B cells at 48 hours were 9.98 μmol/L and 13.70 μmol/L. ①Huh7 and Hep3B cells were treated with 9.98 μmol/L and 13.70 μmol/L of HA15. Results of cell proliferation experiments showed that the growth rates at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours were 112.81%±0.27%, 154.71%±1.45%, 237.66%±16.77%, 294.40%±14.92% in the HA15-Huh7 cells, versus 133.67%±0.49%, 352.93%±2.31%, 557.17%±4.89%, 662.60%±13.31% in the normal Huh7 cells, showing a significant difference ( Fgroups=766.800, Ftime=518.200, Finteraction=133.300, P<0.05). The growth rates at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours were 121.27%±2.32%, 203.85%±3.18%, 240.80%±3.02%, 286.50%±7.10% in the HA15-Hep3B cells, versus 239.14%±1.02%, 362.00%±5.44%, 539.37%±10.80%, 694.79%±17.13% in the normal Hep3B cells, showing a signifi-cant difference ( Fgroups=594.300, Ftime=317.900, Finteraction=78.600, P<0.05). ②Results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 mRNA were 0.27±0.05, 3.64±0.28, 4.13±0.41, 0.51±0.07, 0.39±0.03, 0.17±0.02 in the HA15-Huh7 cells, versus 1.02±0.14, 1.00±0.03, 1.00±0.05, 1.01±0.08, 1.01±0.09, 1.03±0.17 in the normal Huh7 cells, showing significant differences ( t=5.00, 9.25, 7.63, 4.73, 6.82, 5.01, P<0.05). The relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 mRNA were 0.28±0.03, 3.49±0.78, 4.31±0.53, 0.38±0.05, 0.36±0.04, 0.24±0.03 in the HA15-Hep3B cells, versus 1.01±0.11, 1.03±0.18, 1.01±0.08, 1.00±0.06, 1.02±0.15, 1.00±0.06 in the normal Hep3B cells, showing significant differences ( t=6.26, 3.08, 6.21, 7.97, 4.26, 11.08, P<0.05). ③Results of Western Blot detection showed that the relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 protein were 0.52±0.05, 1.94±0.08, 1.58±0.02, 0.89±0.00, 0.86±0.02, 0.74±0.01 in the HA15-Huh7 cells, versus 1.02±0.03, 1.00±0.03, 1.02±0.02, 1.04±0.03, 1.00±0.01, 1.01±0.02 in the normal Huh7 cells, showing significant differences ( t=11.54, 10.28, 11.03, 12.81, 13.67, 10.09, P<0.05). The relative expression of GRP78, p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 protein were 0.57±0.02, 1.67±0.04, 1.41±0.04, 0.82±0.03, 0.70±0.02, 0.74±0.01 in the HA15-Hep3B cells, versus 1.03±0.01, 0.98±0.03, 1.00±0.03, 1.03±0.03, 1.01±0.01, 1.04±0.01 in the normal Huh7 cells, showing significant differences ( t=10.81, 11.54, 12.26, 13.62, 14.23, 10.17, P<0.05). Conclusions:High expression of GRP78 is an independent risk factor affecting the overall survival and disease progression-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Inhibiting of GRP78 expression can reduce cell proliferation and the expression of p53, p21, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 mRNA and proteins in hepatoma cells.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, skeletal muscle pathologies and gene variations of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO).Methods:Sixteen patients with conformed CPEO, admitted to our hospital from January 1997 to December 2021, were chosen. Their clinical data such as onset age and course of diseases and muscle pathological examination results were collected and their gene variation characteristics were analyzed.Results:The initial symptom in all 16 patients was ptosis of varying degrees; 15 patients were with eye movement disorder, 6 with diplopia, 4 with proximal limb weakness, and 3 with dysphagia and dysarthria. Among the 16 patients, electromyography showed myogenic damage in 7 patients, myogenic combined with neurogenic damage in 1 patient, neurogenic damage in 1 patient, and normal in 7 patients. Skeletal muscle biopsies indicated that 14 patients were with ragged red fibers (RRF), 11 patients had cytochrome C oxidase (COX)-negative muscle fibers, 3 patients had a small amount of degenerated and necrotic myofibers with mononuclear phagocytic infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining indicated infiltration of CD8 and CD68 positive lymphocytes. Ten patients accepted genetic test, indicating 6 patients with single large fragment deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), 1 patient with mtDNA point mutation, 1 patient with nucleosomal DNA (nDNA) point mutation, and 2 patients without pathogenicity variation clearly associated with clinical phenotype. Electron microscopy in 5 patients showed that abnormal mitochondrial aggregation was noted in 4 patients under the sarcolemma and among the myofibrils.Conclusion:In addition to ptosis and eye movement disorders, a small number of patients with CPEO may be accompanied by dysphagia and limb weakness; and single large fragment deletion of mtDNA is the main mutation form of CPEO.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, skeletal muscle pathologies and gene variations of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO).Methods:Sixteen patients with conformed CPEO, admitted to our hospital from January 1997 to December 2021, were chosen. Their clinical data such as onset age and course of diseases and muscle pathological examination results were collected and their gene variation characteristics were analyzed.Results:The initial symptom in all 16 patients was ptosis of varying degrees; 15 patients were with eye movement disorder, 6 with diplopia, 4 with proximal limb weakness, and 3 with dysphagia and dysarthria. Among the 16 patients, electromyography showed myogenic damage in 7 patients, myogenic combined with neurogenic damage in 1 patient, neurogenic damage in 1 patient, and normal in 7 patients. Skeletal muscle biopsies indicated that 14 patients were with ragged red fibers (RRF), 11 patients had cytochrome C oxidase (COX)-negative muscle fibers, 3 patients had a small amount of degenerated and necrotic myofibers with mononuclear phagocytic infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining indicated infiltration of CD8 and CD68 positive lymphocytes. Ten patients accepted genetic test, indicating 6 patients with single large fragment deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), 1 patient with mtDNA point mutation, 1 patient with nucleosomal DNA (nDNA) point mutation, and 2 patients without pathogenicity variation clearly associated with clinical phenotype. Electron microscopy in 5 patients showed that abnormal mitochondrial aggregation was noted in 4 patients under the sarcolemma and among the myofibrils.Conclusion:In addition to ptosis and eye movement disorders, a small number of patients with CPEO may be accompanied by dysphagia and limb weakness; and single large fragment deletion of mtDNA is the main mutation form of CPEO.