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 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.

Objective: To improve the diagnostic accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) by analyzing its limitations in diagnosing partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD). Method: This was a retrospective analysis of PAPVD patients seen at the Children′s Hospital of Fudan University from October 1 2006 to October 1 2016. The echocardiographic data were compared to findings on multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT), cardiac catheterization or surgery. The echocardiography machines used were Philip IE33, GE Vivid 7 and Vivid i with frequency ranging from 5.0 MHz to 7.5 MHz. The cardiac structure was analyzed according to Van Praagh segments. Result: A total of 43 cases of PAPVD were enrolled, male∶ female ratio 20∶23 with average age (27.9±21.4) months. Among them, 3 cases were simple PAPVD and 40 cases had other associated congenital heart diseases. TTE was successful in diagnosing 29 cases (67%) while 14 cases were missed. The diagnostic rate for right pulmonary vein drainage into superior vena cava, right atrium, inferior vena cava were 5/10, 17/20, and 3/5 respectively while left pulmonary vein drainage into left innominate vein was only 1/4. Added TTE images to re-exam the 9 of the 14 missed cases, 5 cases of abnormal drainage from right superior pulmonary vein were diagnosed, while 4 cases of drainage from right lower or left pulmonary vein were only picked up by indirect signs. Conclusion The distance of the pulmonary veins from the routine ultrasound view and the possibility of branch number variation may limit the accuracy of TTE in diagnosing PAPVD, especially for drainage from right lower and left pulmonary vein. But TTE is still the preferred diagnostic method. The diagnostic rate could be increased by paying special attention to non-routine views including the suprasternal fossa, the right parasternal and subcostal area.

Background: Gout is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis in the world. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has emerged as a widely sought-after and highly effective surgical procedure for advanced hip diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of gout on primary THA outcomes in large cohorts. This study aimed to address this gap by primarily investigating complications following THA in patients with or without gout. Methods: Patients with records of gout in the 2 years leading up to their primary THA and who also have at least 2 years of follow-up were identified using a national insurance database and compared to a 5:1 matched control. A total of 32,466 patients with gout and 161,514 patients without gout undergoing THA were identified. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done for medical complications up to 90 days and surgical complications up to 2 years. In addition, 90-day emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient readmission were also documented. Results: Patients with gout demonstrated higher rates of medical complications including deep vein thrombosis, transfusion, acute kidney injury, and urinary tract infection than non-gout patients (p < 0.001). Gout patients also showed higher rates of pulmonary embolism (p = 0.017). Increased incidences of surgical complications were identified in gout patients, specifically wound complications and periprosthetic joint infection (p < 0.001). There was an increased risk of revision for gout patients up to 90 days (p = 0.003), 1 year (p = 0.027), and 2 years (p = 0.039). There was also an increased risk of dislocation for gout patients up to 90 days (p = 0.022) and 1 year (p = 0.047), but not at 2 years. No significant difference was observed in aseptic loosening or periprosthetic fracture. Additionally, gout patients also demonstrated a higher likelihood of 90-day ED visits and readmission (p < 0.001). Conclusions Primary THA in gout patients is associated with increased risks of multiple medical and surgical complications. Our findings provide insights into the planning and expectation of THA for patients with gout. These insights have the potential to benefit the decision-making process for gout patients considering THA.

Objective:To study the manifestations of digestive system of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, and to provide a reference for disease control and treatment.Methods:The data of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the Sino-French Branch of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 27 to February 14, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, which included general information, positive rate of nucleic acid test, severity of disease, incubation period, initial symptoms and manifestations of digestive system. The general information, positive rate of nucleic acid detection, and manifestations of digestive system were compared between critical patients who required non-invasive or invasive assisted ventilation (critical group) and non-critical patients without assisted ventilation (non-critical group). Continuous corrected Chi-square test and independent sample median Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.Results:Among the 305 patients, there were 146 males (47.9%) and 159 females (52.1%), and the median age was 57 years old. Nucleic acid assay of nasopharyngeal swabs or pharyngeal swabs were positive in 84.1% (228/271) patients including 46 patients (15.1%) of critical group and 259 patients (84.9%) of non-critical group. The incubation period was one to fifteen days, and the median period was six days. The initial symptoms were mainly fever (81.1%, 163/201), cough (39.3%, 79/201), fatigue (54.7%, 110/201), and loss of appetite (50.2%, 101/201). In one to ten days after the disease onset, 79.1% (159/201) of patients developed gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea (29.4%, 59/201), vomiting (15.9%, 32/201), or abdominal pain (6.0%, 12/201). 49.5% (146/295) of patients had diarrhea, with a median time of 3.3 days, (3.3±1.6) times per day, and a duration of (4.1±2.5) days. After excluding possible drug-related diarrhea, the incidence of diarrhea was still 22.2%. Only 6.9% (4/58) of patients had positive fecal leukocytes or fecal occult blood test. Alanine aminotrans ferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), or total bilirubin (TBil) increased in 39.1% (119/304) of patients on admission. Patients with ALT or AST ≥ 80 U/L only accounted for 7.9% (24/304) and 6.3% (19/304), respectively. About 2.0% (6/304) of patients also had increased TBil level, and the average level was (37.4±21.1) μmol/L. The median age of critical group was older than that of non-critical group (65 years vs. 56 years), the proportion of patients with abnormal liver function and slightly increased AST (40-<80 U/L) on admission of critical group were both higher than those of non-critical group (67.4% (31/46) vs. 34.1% (88/258) and 47.8% (22/46) vs. 21.7% (56/228)), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.885, 18.154 and 15.723; all P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the proportion of males (58.7% (27/46) vs. 45.9% (119/259)), the positive rate of nucleic acid test (94.6% (35/37) vs. 82.5% (193/234)), the percentage of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (85.0% (17/20) vs. 78.5% (142/181)), the incidence of diarrhea (44.7% (17/38) vs. 50.2% (129/257)) and the proportion of patients with abnormal TBil level on admission (6.5% (3/46) vs. 1.2% (3/258)) (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The manifestation of digestive system of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Wuhan is significant, the proportion of patients with diarrhea and abnormal aminotransferase level is high. And on admission the proportion of patients with abnormal liver function of critical group is higher than that of non-critical group, which will provide reference for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Astragaloside Ⅳ-mediated Endothelial progenitor cells derived exosomes (EPC-Exos) on the biological function of EPC-Exos damaged by high glicose.Methods:EPCs from human umbilical cord blood were isolated and cultured in vitro. the EPC-Exos secreted by EPCs were extracted by ultracentrifugation combined with ultrafiltration, and identified by specific markers CD9, CD63 and CD81, respectively. After the cells were cultured for 24 hours with AS-IV at 100 mg/L and PBS at the same volume, the morphological characteristics of EPC-Exos were observed by transmission electron microscope. Human endothelial cells were isolated, cultured and identified in vitro. The identified endothelial cells were pretreated with 30 mmol/L glucose for 120 h and randomly divided into experimental group and control group, at the same time set the normal group. The cells were cultured for 24 hours, the effects of EPC-Exos on proliferation, adhesion, migration and angiogenesis of endothelial cells damaged by high glucose were observed by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) Cell Proliferation Assay Kit, cell scratch test, adhesion assay and in vitro angiogenesis assay by Matrigel. Results:Compared with the normal group, the proliferation, migration, adhesion and tubulogenesis of human endothelial cells in the control group were significantly lower ( t=24.35, 6.80, 10.65, 9.62, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the proliferation, adhesion, migration and tubulogenesis of human endothelial cells in the experimental group were significantly enhanced ( t=30.68, 5.99, 5.40, 8.25, P<0.05). Conclusions:EPC-Exos mediated by AS-Ⅳ can significantly improve the biological function of human endothelial cells damaged by high glucose and has the potential to modulate endothelial neovascularization in diabetic rats.

Objective:To analyze fetal sex chromosome abnormalities in prenatal diagnosis based on amniotic fluid cell culture.Methods:Clinical data of 12 164 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province from January 2017 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. For those diagnosed with fetal sex chromosome abnormalities, the results of karyotyping and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) were analyzed and described.Results:(1) Among the 12 164 cases, fetal sex chromosome abnormalities were detected in 387 cases (3.2%), including 351 cases with abnormal sex chromosome karyotype and 36 with sex chromosome microdeletion/microduplication. (2) High-risk patients indicated by non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) had the highest proportion of sex chromosomes abnormalities (74.2%, 287/387), followed by those with other ultrasound abnormalities (8.5%, 33/387), high risk of Down syndrome screening (7.0%, 27/387), advanced maternal age (4.7%, 18/387), history of adverse pregnant or delivery (3.3%, 13/387), and nuchal translucency thickening or cervical lymphatic hygroma (2.3%, 9/387). (3) Detected chromosome karyotype abnormalities included numerical abnormalities [73.2%(257/351)], mosaicism [18.8(66/351)], and structural abnormalities [8.0%(28/351)], among which, 47,XXY [46.7%(120/257)], 45,X/46,XX[48.5%(32/66)], and X chromosome deletion [39.3%(11/28)] were the most common, respectively. Among 36 sex chromosome microdeletions/microduplications cases, 15(41.7%) were with pathogenic copy number variation (CNV), including 14 cases of X chromosome microdeletion/microduplication; 7(19.4%) with benign CNV, and 14(38.9%) with CNV of unknown clinical significance. The fragment size [ M (min-max)] of the 15 pathogenic CNV was 1.68 Mb(0.37-9.20 Mb). Of the nine cases with microdeletions, seven were found with deletion in the Xp22.31 region. Conclusions:Numerical abnormalities are the most common fetal sex chromosome abnormalities detected from amniotic fluid samples. Others included mosaicism and chromosome structure abnormalities.

Objective:To explore the influence of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor on wild-type Kras differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and its mechanism.Methods:The DTC cell line Kras WT TPC-1 was selected and the mutant Kras G12D TPC-1 cells were constructed. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effect of BRD4 inhibitor JQ-1 on the proliferation activity of Kras WT TPC-1 cells. Kras WT TPC-1 cells were treated with 0.2 μmol/L JQ-1 (JQ-1 group), and a negative control group (NC group) was set. Transwell invasion assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the effect of JQ-1 on the invasion and apoptosis of Kras WT TPC-1 cells. The effect of JQ-1 on the expressions of BRD4, miR-106b-5p and P21, and the effect of P21 inhibitor UC2288 on the expressions of P21 and BRD4 were detected. Kras WT TPC-1 cells were divided into JQ-1+ NC-OE group, JQ-1+ p21-OE group (overexpression of p21) and JQ-1+ p21-OE+ miR-106b-5p mimic group (overexpression of p21 and miR-106b-5 at the same time), and the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of cells in each group were detected. TPC-1 cells were divided into Kras WT group, Kras WT+ JQ-1 group, Kras G12D group and Kras G12D+ JQ-1 group, and the cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of each group were detected. Results:JQ-1 inhibited the proliferation activity of Kras WT TPC-1 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. In the NC group and JQ-1 group, the numbers of cell invasion were 124.67±9.61 and 82.67±8.02, and the apoptosis rates were (5.91±0.34)% and (10.33±1.10)%, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( t=5.812, P=0.004; t=6.653, P=0.003). JQ-1 significantly inhibited the expressions of BRD4 and miR-106b-5p, and promoted the expression of P21 in Kras WT TPC-1 cells. UC2288 significantly inhibited P21 expression, but had no significant effect on BRD4 expression. In the JQ-1+ NC-OE group, JQ-1+ p21-OE group and JQ-1+ p21-OE+ miR-106b-5p mimic group, the proliferation activities at 24 h of Kras WT TPC-1 cells was 0.46±0.03, 0.35±0.04 and 0.44±0.03 ( F=8.720, P=0.017), and the proliferation activity of JQ-1+ p21-OE group was significantly lower than that of the JQ-1+ NC-OE group ( P<0.05). The numbers of cell invasion in the three groups were 83.00±9.17, 56.67±6.03 and 79.67±10.07 ( F=8.347, P=0.018), and the number of cell invasion in the JQ-1+ p21-OE group was significantly lower than that in the JQ-1+ NC-OE group ( P=0.009). The apoptosis rates of the three groups were (10.00±0.49)%, (15.39±1.14)% and (10.32±0.80)% ( F=37.764, P<0.001), and the apoptosis rate of the JQ-1+ p21-OE group was significantly higher than that in the JQ-1+ NC-OE group ( P<0.001). There were no significant differences in cell proliferation activity, invasion number and apoptosis rate between JQ-1+ p21-OE+ miR-106b-5p mimic group and JQ-1+ NC-OE group (all P>0.05). In Kras WT group, Kras WT+ JQ-1 group, Kras G12D group and Kras G12D+ JQ-1 group, the cell proliferation activities at 24 h were 0.50±0.05, 0.39±0.04, 0.68±0.08 and 0.64±0.05 ( F=17.776, P<0.001). Compared with the Kras WT group, cell proliferation activity in the Kras WT+ JQ-1 group was significantly decreased, while that in the Kras G12D group was significantly increased (both P<0.05). The numbers of cell invasion in the four groups were 129.33±11.50, 86.00±9.54, 161.67±13.01 and 146.33±13.20 ( F=22.598, P<0.001). Compared with the Kras WT group, the number of cell invasion in the Kras WT+ JQ-1 group was significantly decreased ( P=0.002), and that in the Kras G12D group was significantly increased ( P=0.010). The apoptosis rates in the four groups were (6.17±0.50)%, (10.42±0.73)%, (3.43±0.47)% and (3.41±0.32)% ( F=119.170, P<0.001). Compared with the Kras WT group, the apoptosis rate in the Kras WT+ JQ-1 group was significantly increased ( P<0.001), and that in the Kras G12D group was significantly decreased ( P<0.001). There were no significant differences in cell proliferation activity, invasion number and apoptosis rate between Kras G12D+ JQ-1 group and Kras G12D group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:BRD4 inhibitor can specifically inhibit the development of wild-type Kras DTC via regulating the molecular axis of BRD4/miR-106b-5p/P21, but has no significant effect on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of mutant Kras DTC tumor cells.

Objective: To study the manifestations of digestive system of hospitalized patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) in Wuhan, China, and to provide reference for disease control and treatment. Methods: The data of hospitalized patients with NCP in the Sino-French Branch of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology was retrospectively analyzed, which included general information, nucleic acid test, severity degree of disease, incubation period, initial symptoms and manifestations of digestive system. The general information, positive rate of nucleic acid detection, and manifestations of digestive system were compared between critical patients who required non-invasive or invasive assisted ventilation (critical group) and non-critical patients without assisted ventilation (non-critical group). Continuous corrected chi-square test and independent sample median test were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Among the 305 patients there were 146 males (47.9%) and 159 females (52.1%), median age 57 years old. Nucleic acid assay of nasopharynx swab or pharynx swab of 84.1% (228/271) patients were positive. Forty-six patients (15.1%) were in critical group and 259 patients (84.9%) were in non-critical group. The incubation period was one to fifteen days, and the median period was six days. The initial symptoms mainly were fever (81.1%, 163/201), cough (39.3%, 79/201), fatigue (54.7%, 110/201), and loss of appetite (50.2%, 101/201). In one to ten days after the disease onset, 79.1% (159/201) of patients developed gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea (29.4%, 59/201), vomiting (15.9%, 32/201), or abdominal pain (6.0%, 12/201). 49.5% (146/295) of patients had diarrhea, median time was 3.3 days, (3.3±1.6) times per day, and a duration of (4.1±2.5) days. Excluding possible drug-related diarrhea, the incidence of diarrhea still was 22.2%. Only 6.9% (4/58) of patients were found leukocytes or fecal occult blood positive in regular stool test. ALT, AST, or bilirubin increased in 39.1% (119/304) of patients at admission. Patients with ALT or AST ≥ 80 U/L only accounted for 7.9% (24/304) and 6.3% (19/304), respectively. About 2.0% (6/304) of patients also had increased bilirubin level, average level was (37.4 ± 21.1) μmol/L. The median age of critical group was older than that of non-critical group (65.5 years vs. 56 years), at admission the rates of abnormal liver function test abnormal and slightly increased AST (40~80 U/L) of critical group were both higher than those of non-critical group (67.4% (31/46) vs. 34.1% (88/258) and 47.8% (22/46) vs. 21.7% (56/228)), and the differences were statistically significant (x²=5.885, 18.154 and 15.723;all P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of male (58.7% (27/46) vs. 45.9% (119/259)), the positive rate of nucleic acid detection (94.6% (35/37) vs. 82.5% (193/234)), the percentage of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (85.0% (17/20) vs. 78.5% (142/181)), the rate of diarrhea (44.7% (17/38)vs. 50.2% (129/257)) and ratio of patients with abnormal bilirubin level (6.5% (3/46) vs. 1.2% (3/258)) (all P>0.05). Conclusions The manifestation of digestive system of hospitalized NCP patients in Wuhan is significant, the ratio of patients with diarrhea and abnormal aminotransferase level is high. And at admission the rate of patients with abnormal liver function rate of critical group is higher than that of non-critical group, which will provide reference for the prevention and treatment of NCP.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between KRAS gene mutation and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) treatment effect and prognosis, and to explore the mechanism. Methods: Clinical tissue samples from DTC patients undergoing 131I Radiotherapy were collected. Then single strand conformation polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction products (PCRC-SSCP) was used to detect KRAS mutation rate in thyroid cancer patients of different TNM stages; p21 protein expression level was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting. DTC cells were treated by sub-lethal dose of 131I Radiotherapy, and then CCK-8 assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to evaluate the changes of cells viability. Animal models were then constructed for verification. Results: The results showed that KRAS gene mutants were increased in 131I-resistant DTC patients; KRAS gene mutation suppressed p21 protein expression and was associated with clinical stage and poor prognosis. In vivo and in vitro experiments proved that sub-lethal dose of 131I increased KRAS gene mutation rate, suppressed p21 expression level, and caused 131I radiotherapy resistance. Reversely, over-expression of KRAS gene could significantly increase p21 expression, and inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis. Conclusion: KRAS gene mutations were associated with DTC TNM stages and 131I resistance in DTC patients. Sub-lethal dose of 131I treatment could improve 131I resistance in DTC cells line, inversely, over-expressed KRAS gene could increase the sensitivity to 131I radiotherapy in DTC patients.