Directed by Chinese Medical Association and Society of Endocrinology and under the kind care and instruction of Prof. Zhu Xian-yi and Prof. Kuang An-kun (well-known clinical endocrinologists in China), with strong support from Shanghai Second Medical College and Ruijin Hospital, while the editorial board and Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology responsible for its editing and publication, Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CJEM) started publication in 1985 and the present year we are happy to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. With the efforts of the whole members and staff of successive editorial board and editorial office, and with the enthusiastic submissions from experts and doctors of various disciplines over the country, CJEM has kept constant progress in the past years. Started as quarterly, CJEM has moved forward to be a bimonthly journal, with expanded length and increased number of articles on each volume as well as rising impact factor. To our joy, CJEM has become an important field for academic exchanges among scientists and clinicians engaged in endocrinology. Importantly, CJEM has gradually formed its unique characteristics. Articles are classified according to different topics which are closely related to key breakthroughs in the field of endocrinology. It supports academic contention, provides field for basic research and reports conference summaries in time. I sincerely hope CJEM could make vigorous efforts to get more and more improvements in the future, making greater contribution to the development of endocrinology in China.

Based on prospective epidemiologi ca l studies concerning the relationship between glycemic values during oral glucos e tolerance test (OGTT) and the incidence of diabetic retionpathy, the diagnosti c criteria recommended by National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG)/World Health Organ ization (WHO) (1979/1980) have been worldwidely accepted as the uniform diagnosi s for diabetes mellitus.According to the epidemiological data accumulated since the early eighties of the 20th century on the inter-relationship between the le vels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and OGTT 2 hour glycemic values, American D iabetes Association (ADA)/WHO (1997/1999) recommended the diagnostic FPG be decr eased to 7.0 mmol/L, but disaccord exists with regard to the use of OGTT for the diagnosis of diabetes. Further evidence-based medical studies are needed to so lve this problem.

This article reviews the major advances of basal and clinical research on the adrenal diseases at home and abroad from 2010 to 2012.There are many advances including the diagnostic value of steroidogenic factor-1 in adrenal tumors,the pathogenesis and new diagnostic methods of aldosterone-producing adenoma,the treatment for severe ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome,approach to the patient with an adrenal incidentaloma and subclinical hypercortisolism,screening test for subclinical hypercortisolism in the patients with diabetes or osteoporosis,the characterization of macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia of the zona reticularis,as well as genetic testing for pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas,etc.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of two different protocols of ketogenic diet (KD)-eating on demand or eating at regular intervals for refractory epilepsy in children.Methods Sixty children with refractory epilepsy were randomly divided into eating on demand group (n =30) and eating at regular intervals group (n =30) by random number table method.After taking the whole amount of KD,the capillary blood ketone and glucose level and urine ketone were monitored every 6 hours in 72 continuous hours.Seizure frequency and onset time were recorded.Antiepileptic efficacy and diet tolerability of the two groups were evaluated on 4 weeks,12 weeks,24 weeks and 48 weeks after initiating the diet.Adverse effects were monitored.Results After treatment of 4 weeks,the complete seizure remission rates of eating on demand group and eating at regular intervals group were 33.3％ (10/30) and 30.0％ (9/30) respectively,which suggested a comparable efficacy for two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The day when KD started to work was averaged (6.18 ± 2.42) d and (8.63 ± 2.63) d respectively.The group of eating on demand showed a faster onset of action (P ＜0.05).After treatment of 12 weeks,24 weeks and 48 weeks,complete seizure remission rates of eating on demand group were 30.0％ (9/30),34.8％ (8/23) and 36.8％ (7/19) respectively;the eating at regular intervals group were 33.3％ (10/30),30.4％ (7/23) and 44.4％ (8/18) respectively.The two groups had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).One year later,the treatment retention rates of the two groups were 63.3 ％ (19/30) and 60.0％ (18/30) respectively.There was no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The adverse effects mainly including transient gastrointestinal symptoms and metabolic disturbances were mostly tolerable and curable.Conclusion The two different protocols of KD-eating on demand and eating at regular intervals are both effective and well-tolerated for refractory epilepsy in children.While protocol of eating on demand is more easier to achieve ketotic state and the effect is more quickly,so it can be more easily received by children.Therefore in clinical practice,we can choose flexible eating time according to children's eating habits,which can improve the therapeutic compliance.

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.

Objective To compare the clinical and electroencephalogram(EEG)characteristics and therapeutic response prognosis of different age groups of children with epileptic spasm .Methods From January 2002 to October 2011 the clinical data ,EEG fea-tures of epileptic spasms children under 15 years old with unknown disease cause(cryptogenic) were retrospectively reviewed .74 of them were followed up for 12 to 92 months .All of them were divided into two groups on the basis of onset age :3 -12 months of onset as group infantile-onset spasms(group IOS ,n=60);and 12 months to 7 years old of onset as group late-onset epileptic spasms (group LOS ,n=14) .Clinical process ,seizure semiology and EEG features were compared between two groups .Results Semiologic features of two groups were similar ,but they showed differences in interictal EEG features including the background ,the location of discharges ;The response to drugs between the two groups are also different .Conclusion There are differences between group IOS and group LOS when comparing EEG features and response to drugs .

Objective To observe the effect of berberine on glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to investigate its mechanism. Methods The glucose consumption of the cells was determined by the glucose oxidase method. The glucose transportation rate of the cells was assayed by the uptake of 2-deoxy-〔 3H〕-D-glucose. Protein kinase B (Akt) activity was detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. The gene expression of c-Cbl-associated protein (CAP) was detected by Northern blot. Results 0.1～200 ?mol/L berberine significantly increased glucose consumption in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with a dose-dependent effect, which was independent of insulin. The glucose transportation was significantly increased in adipocytes incubated with 0.1～10 ?mol/L berberine; the action began at 2 h and reached a peak value at 12 h. The results of immunoprecipitation and Western blot showed that berberine did not enhance Akt activity. The result of Northern blot indicated that berberine significantly decreased CAP mRNA expression. Conclusion Adipocytes are the important target cells of berberine. Berberine significantly increases glucose transportation and consumption in adipocytes, the action appeares to be independent of insulin signal pathway.

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 related risk factors of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI)after cerebrovascular intervention. Methods The clinical data of 5423 patients performed cerebrovascular angiography and intervention at the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery,Guangdong People′s Hospital from January 2005 to December 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients who underwent cerebrovascular angiography and intervention were evaluated and screened. A clinical history database was established. All the selected patients used iodixanol,an isotonic contrast agent. The occurrence of CI-AKI was used as an endpoint. The patients were divided into either a CI-AKI group or a non CI-AKI group. A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of CI-AKI. Results A total of 4164 patients were finally enrolled,including 137 had CI-AKI. The incidence of CI-AKI was 3. 3%. The results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that age >60 years (OR,1. 965,95%CI 1. 244-3. 136),baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60mL/(min·1. 73 m2)(OR,4. 163,95%CI 2. 422-5. 873),diabetes (OR,3. 140,95%CI 1. 983-3. 902),and anemia (OR,1. 524,95%CI 1. 226 -3. 253)were the influencing factors for occurring CI-AKI after cerebrovascular angiography and intervention. Conclusion Chronic kidney disease (eGFR<60 mL/[min·1. 73 m2 ]),diabetes,anemia,and old age (age >60 years)are the independent risk factors for occurring CI-AKI after cerebrovascular angiography and intervention.