AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of irbesartan in treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. METHODS: 80 patients with chronic congestive heart failure were randomizedly divided into the irbesartan group and the routine group, 40 cases in every group. The routine group was treated with nomal treatment digtoxin ethacrynicum and dilation vasocular, and the irbesartan group was treated with irbesartan 75- 300 mg one time daily based on the nomal treatment. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. RESULTS: Irbesartan could improve symptom and heart function clearly (P

Objective: To analyze influence of fluvastatin on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and pulse pressure (PP) in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Methods: A total of 62 EH patients were enrolled and randomly divided into fluvastatin group (n=32, received fluvastatin therapy based on routine antihypertensive therapy) and routine treatment group (n=30, received routine antihypertensive therapy). Course of treatment was one year for all patients. Levels of blood lipids, PP and carotid IMT were compared between two groups before, six and 12 months after treatment. Results: Compared with before treatment, there were significant decrease in levels of all blood lipids, PP [(66.9±7.3) mmHg vs. (53.1±6.2) mmHg] and IMT [(0.97±0.42) mm vs. (0.76±0.29) mm] in fluvastatin group after treatment six and 12 months, and significantly improved more than those of routine treatment group, P<0.05 all. The levels of above-mentioned indexes were no significant improvement in routine treatment group before and after treatment（P>0.05）. Conclusion: Fluvastatin can improve carotid intima-media thickness and pulse pressure in patients with hypertension and is worth extending in clinic.

Objective To assess the value of CT perfusion imaging in differentiation of mild from moderate liver fibrosis .Methods 18 patients with mild liver fibrosis (F1 phase) and 21 ones with moderate fibrosis (F2 and F3 phase) confirmed by liver biopsy were analyzed ,and all patients underwent the liver 256‐slice CT perfusion imaging .The differences in the CT parameters including hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) ,portal venous perfusion (PVP) ,total liver perfusion (TLP) and time to peak (TTP) between dif‐ferent fibrosis were analyzed .ROC curve was used to evaluate the ability of perfusion indexes to distinguish mild from moderate liver fibrosis ,then the maximum Youden index was selected as a cutoff point to calculate the sensitivity and specificity .Results Compared with the mild fibrosis ,the TTP [(43 .86 ± 13 .41)s vs (37 .84 ± 9 .97)s ,P=0 .034)] in liver with moderate fibrosis was significantly increased .However ,no differences in the HAP ,PVP and TLP were found .The ROC curve analysis showed that a TTP threshold of 41 .7 s allowed discrimination of mild from moderate fibrosis with a sensitivity of 72 .7% and a specificity of 75% .Conclusion 256‐slice CT perfusion imaging can reflect the hemodynamic changes of liver fibrosis ,and the TTP may help to discriminate mild from moderate fibrosis .

AIM: To explore the roles of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in the blockage of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) against chemical hypoxia-mimetic agent (cobalt chloride, CoCl_2)-induced oxidative stress injuries in H9c2 cardiac cell. METHODS: H9c2 cells were treated with CoCl_2 to set up the chemical hypoxia-induced the model of cardiomyocyte injury. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a H2S donor) was added into medium for 30 min before CoCl_2 treatment. ATP content was detected by high performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC). Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by rhodamine123 (Rh123) staining and photofluorography. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed using a SOD kit. The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was evaluated by Western blotting. RESULTS: CoCl_2 at concentration of 600 μmol/L significantly reduced SOD activity, ATP level and MMP, and enhanced the expression of HO-1 in H9c2 cells. Pretreatment with 400 μmol/L NaHS dramatically inhibited the cytotoxicity induced by CoCl_2, increased SOD activity, ATP level and MMP, decreased HO-1 expression. 17-allylamino-17 demethoxygeldanamycine(17AAG), an inhibitor of HSP90, obviously blocked the inhibitory effect of H2S on the CoCl_2-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the levels of ATP and MMP, increased HO-1 expression. However, no significantly influence on SOD activity was observed. CONCLUSION: HSP90 may mediate the cardioprotection of H2S via inhibiting the oxidative stress induced by chemical hypoxia.

OBJECTIVETo screen for carriers of SMN1 gene mutation, which underlies spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), in 4931 pregnant women from Liuzhou region of Guangxi, and to determine the carrier rate.

METHODSCombined denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and multiple PCR techniques were used to detect the copy number of SMN1 gene. The carrier frequency was calculated. The spouse of the carrier was also screened, and prenatal diagnosis was provided to the couples who were both positive.

RESULTSAmong the 4931 pregnant women, 61 were found to harbor only one copy of the SMN1 gene, which yielded a carrier rate of 1.2%. Subsequent testing has identified 1 fetus carrying homozygous deletions of the SMN1 gene.

CONCLUSIONThe carrier rate of SMA mutation in Liuzhou region is slightly lower than that of other regions of southern China. DHPLC can effectively screen the carriers of SMA mutation and provide a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To screen for potential variants of GCDH gene in 3 patients clinically diagnosed as glutaric aciduria type Ⅰ. METHODS: GCDH gene variants was detected by Sanger sequencing among the three children and their family members. RESULTS: Sanger sequencing showed that patient 1 carried compound heterozygosity variants of c.532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) and c.655G>A (p.Ala219Thr) of the GCDH gene, while his father and mother respectively carried heterozygous c.532G>A(p.Gly178Arg) and c.655G>A (p.Ala219Thr) variants. Patient 2 carried c.532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) and a novel c.1060G>T (p.Gly354Cys) compound heterozygous variant, while his father and mother respectively carried heterozygous c.532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) and c.1060G>T (p.Gly354Cys) variant. Patient 3 carried homozygous c.532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) variant of the GCDH gene, for which both of his parents were heterozygous carriers. CONCLUSION The GCDH gene variant probably underlie the glutaric aciduria type Ⅰ among the 3 patients. Identifcation of the novel variant has enriched the spectrum of GCDH gene variants.
Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; genetics ; Brain Diseases, Metabolic ; genetics ; Female ; Glutaryl-CoA Dehydrogenase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular pathogenesis for a pedigree affected with hypocalcemia secondary to hypomagnesemia. METHODS: Sanger sequencing was used to detect potential variant of the TRPM6 gene in the patient and their parents. RESULTS: The results showed that the patient has carried novel homozygous c.3311C>T (p.Pro1104Leu) variant of the TRMP6 gene, for which both of his parents were heterozygous carriers. Analysis of protein functions using software predicted high risk of pathogenicity. CONCLUSION The homozygous c.3311C>T (p.Pro1104Leu) variant of the TRPM6 gene probably underlies the disease in this patient.
Heterozygote ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; genetics ; Magnesium ; Magnesium Deficiency ; genetics ; Male ; Pedigree ; TRPM Cation Channels ; genetics

Objective: To determine the incidence and mutational types of fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) in central-northern region of Guangxi. Methods: A total of 62 953 neonates were screened for FAOD during December 2012 and December 2017. Acyl-carnitine profiling of neonatal blood sample was performed by tandem mass spectrometry using dry blood spots on a filter paper. The diagnosis of FAOD was confirmed by organic acid profiling of urea and genetic testing. Results: Eighteen cases of FAOD were diagnosed among the 62 953 neonates. Among these, primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) was the most common type (n=13), which was followed by short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) (n=2), medium- chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) (n=1), multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) (n=1), and carnitine palmitoyltransferaseⅡdeficiency (CPT ⅡD) (n=1). Genetic testing has revealed two previously unreported variants, i. e., c. 337G>A (p.Gly113Arg) of ACADS gene and c. 737G>T (p.Gly246Val) of ETFA gene. Conclusion PCD is the most common FAOD in central-northern Guangxi. Tandem mass spectrometry combined with genetic testing may facilitate early diagnosis of FAOD.

Objective: To screen for potential variants of GCDH gene in 3 patients clinically diagnosed as glutaric aciduria type Ⅰ. Methods: GCDH gene variants was detected by Sanger sequencing among the three children and their family members. Results: Sanger sequencing showed that patient 1 carried compound heterozygosity variants of c. 532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) and c. 655G>A (p.Ala219Thr) of the GCDH gene, while his father and mother respectively carried heterozygous c. 532G>A(p.Gly178Arg) and c. 655G>A (p.Ala219Thr) variants. Patient 2 carried c. 532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) and a novel c. 1060G>T (p.Gly354Cys) compound heterozygous variant, while his father and mother respectively carried heterozygous c. 532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) and c. 1060G>T (p.Gly354Cys) variant. Patient 3 carried homozygous c. 532G>A (p.Gly178Arg) variant of the GCDH gene, for which both of his parents were heterozygous carriers. Conclusion The GCDH gene variant probably underlie the glutaric aciduria type Ⅰ among the 3 patients. Identifcation of the novel variant has enriched the spectrum of GCDH gene variants.

Objective: To identify potential variant in a child diagnosed as infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the patient and his parents and subjected to next generation sequencing. Suspected variant was verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the mutation was predicted by using bioinformatic software including SIFT and PolyPhen-2. Results: The child was found to carry compound heterozygous variations c. 668C>A (p.Pro223Gln) and c. 2266C>T (p.Gln756Ter) of the PLA2G6 gene, which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. c. 2266C>T has changed codon 756 (glutamine) into a stop codon, resulting premature termination of peptide chain synthesis. c. 2266C>T has not been reported previously and was predicted to be harmful. Conclusion The compound variants of c. 668C>A (p.Pro223Gln) and c. 2266C>T (p.Gln756Ter) of the PLA2G6 gene probably underlies the disease in the child. Above finding has enriched the variant spectrum of the PLA2G6 gene.