[Summary] Rare diseases are one of the major challenges we face today in the era of precision medicine, because of the low incidence and prevalence, difficulty in diagnosis, lack of sufficient therapeutic methods, as well as their significant impacts on affected individuals, families and the society. Integration of clinical phenotypic and biological omics data and the further analysis are providing a way to illustrate the mechanisms of rare diseases, discovering novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, developing orphan drugs and other therapeutics, and improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for the patients. A nation-wide registry system and the cohorts studies based on the registry are vital to the research of rare diseases. National Rare Diseases Registry System ( NRDRS) of China will provide this essential platform to promote the rare diseases research in China. With the collaboration of 20 leading medical institutes and innovation in medical informatics technologies, this system will, for the first time in China, collect the epidemiological, clinical, socio-economical, genomics and metabolomics data of more than 50 rare diseases and not less than 50 000 cases. As a national strategy for enhancing the development of medical sciences and the improvement of population health in China, NRDRS and its cohort studies will provide the pivotal support to policy making, clinical care, novel drug discovery, patient advocacy, and finally scientific progress in the field of rare diseases.

Objective To evaluate the complication rate of secondary surgery in patients with benign thyroid disease. Methods From June 1992 to June 2003, 65 patients underwent reoperation. Operative procedures. pathology and complications were reviewed. Results The first surgery was unilateral in 27 cases (41.5%), bilateral in 38 (58.5%). Reoperation identified carcinoma in 8 cases with complications developed in 8 cases and left over permanent in 1 case (1.5%). Conclusion The complication rate of second operation is higher than that of first thyroid surgery, but still acceptable.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in Chinese by detailed clinicopathological and laboratory assessments.Methods The baseline features of 36 patients with biopsy-proven disease were reviewed.The diagnosis was confirmed by pathology review according to consensus diagnostic criteria and clinicopathologic correlation.Disease activity and damage were assessed by the IgG4-RD responder index (RI).Results Thirty (83.3％) of the patients were male,while six were female,and the average age of onset was 65.1 years.All of the 36 patients had active disease,in which submandibular gland,lymph nodes,retroperitoneal tissue were the most common affected organs in this group of patients.Among 36 patients,77.7％ had elevated serum IgG4 concentrations and 44.4％ had hypocomplementemia.Patients with elevated serum IgG4 had a higher RI,a greater number of organs involved (P ＜ 0.01 for all comparisons).The correlation between serum IgG4 level and RI (r=0.737,P ＜ 0.01) was stronger than IgG,ESR,CRP and serum complement levels.The incidence of hypocomplementemia in IgG4-RD patients with renal involvement was higher than that in IgG4-RD patients with other organs involvement (P ＜ 0.01).Twenty-eight patients received glucocorticoids therapy,and had lower RI and serum IgG4 concentration after therapy (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Both IgG4-RD RI and IgG4 concentration may be regarded as assessment markers of disease activity and therapeutic effect of IgG4-RD.The diagnosis of IgG4-RD should be supported by histopathology and clinical features.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic outcomes between use of antibiotic cement versus non-use of antibiotic cement in the treatment of tibial osteomyelitis after radical debridement.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made of the 68 patients with local tibial osteomyelitis of Cierny-Mader Type Ⅳ who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, The Second People’s Hospital of Shenzhen from January 2010 to June 2015. The dead space was filled with antibiotic-impregnated bone cement beans after radical debridement of the infected bone in 32 of them (cement group) but was not in 36 of them (no-cement group). The operations for both groups were performed by the same surgical team who filled the bone defects after excision of infected bone using Ilizarov bone transport. The 2 groups were compared in terms of Paley functional scores of bone and limb, external fixation index (EFI), infection recurrence rate, total hospital costs and other complications.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there was no significant difference between them in the preoperative general data ( P>0.05). The cement group was followed up for (71.2±8.9) months and the no-cement group for (71.6±9.7) months, showing no significant difference ( P>0.05). By the Paley functional scores, the good to excellent rate for bone was 100% for both groups (32/32 versus 36/36) while the good to excellent rate for limb was 93.8% (30/32) for the cement group and 94.4% (34/36) for the no-cement group, showing no significant differences between them ( P>0.05). The EFI was (49.0±10.5) d/cm for the cement group and (49.5±11.4) d/cm for the no-cement group, showing no significant differences between them ( P>0.05). The infection recurrence rate at the final follow-up was 3.12% (1/32) for the cement group and 2.78% (1/36) for the no-cement group, showing no significant differences between them ( P>0.05). The total hospital cost was (70,944.1 ± 1,135.5) Yuan RMB for the cement group and (55,205.2 ± 897.3) Yuan RMB for the no-cement group, showing a significant difference ( P<0.05). No serious complications with sequelae were found in either of the 2 groups. Conclusion:In the treatment of local tibial osteomyelitis of Cierny-Mader Type Ⅳ, it is not necessary to fill the dead space with antibiotic cement when radical debridement is achieved.

The pregnane X receptor (PXR), a liver and intestine specific receptor,, has been reported to be related with the repression of inflammation as well as activation of cytochromosome P450 3A (CYP3A) expression. We examined the effect of PXR on tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced mouse liver inflammation in this work. Ginkgolide A, one main component of Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE), activated PXR and enhanced PXR expression level, displayed both significant therapeutic effect and preventive effect against CCl4-induced mouse hepatitis. siRNA-mediated decrease of PXR expression significantly reduced the efficacy of Ginkgolide A in treating CCl4-induced inflammation in mice. Flavonoids, another important components of GBE, were shown anti-inflammatory effect in a different way from Ginkgolide A which might be independent on PXR because flavonoids significantly inhibited CYP3A11 activities in mice. The results indicated that anti-inflammatory effect of PXR might be mediated by enhancing transcription level of IkappaBalpha through binding of IkappaBalpha. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity by NF-kappaB-specific suppressor IkappaBalpha is one of the potential mechanisms of Ginkgolide A against CCl4-induced liver inflammation.
Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride* ; Flavonoids ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hepatitis ; Inflammation* ; Intestines ; Liver* ; Mice* ; NF-kappa B ; Repression, Psychology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of zoledronate (ZOL) on osteoclast differentiation and expressions of transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 channel (TRPV5) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1).

METHODSRAW264.7 cells were divided into two groups for treatment with RANKL for 5 days (group A) or with additional ZOL treatment in the last 2 days of RANKL treatment (group B). Osteoclastogenesis of the cells and the mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV5 and NFATc1 after the treatments were examined.

RESULTSIn group B, the number of newly generated osteoclasts (≥ 3 nuclei), number and size of dentin resorption lacunaes were 29.0 ± 2.4, 24.8 ± 1.1, and 2 030.0 ± 165.7 µm², respectively, which were significantly lower than those in group A (56.5 ± 4.5, 49.3 ± 0.9, and 3 946.7 ± 367.5 µm², respectively, P<0.01). Fluorescent intensity of TRPV5 and NFATc1 were also significantly decreased in group B (P<0.01). Compared with those in group A, TRPV5 mRNA and protein expressions in group B were down-regulated by 50.4% and 37.8%, and those of NFATc1 by 68.0% and 48.4%, respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONZOL can significantly inhibit osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, which may be attributed, at least partly, to ZOL-induced inhibition of TRPV5 and NFATc1 expressions.

Animals ; Bone Resorption ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Diphosphonates ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Mice ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; RANK Ligand ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; TRPV Cation Channels ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo investigate the impacts of different serum creatinine detection methods,including Jaffe and enzymatic methods,on the efficacy of different GFR estimation equations in CKD patients in China.MethodsrGFR of 176 patients with CKD were determined by dual plasma sample method 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) plasma clearance rate.Serum creatinine was detected with four kinds of creatinine reagents from different manufacturers.Cockcroft-Gault Equation corrected for body surface area (CG/BSA),simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation,IDMS-traceable MDRD equation,CKD epidemiology collaborative research (CKD-EPI) equation and two Chinese simplified MDRD equation (project group equation 1,2) were applied to calculate estimated GFR (eGFR)respectively.eGFRwerecomparedwithrGFRforthecorrelation, deviation, precisionand30％ accuracy.ResultsThe mean rGFR of 176 patients with CKD,was [ 40.70 ( 19.41 -84.35 ) ] ml · min- 1 ·( 1.73 m2 ) -1.For all GFR estimation equations,there were significant differences in eGFR results between enzymatic method and Jaffe method,when analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.eGFR results assessed by two enzymatic creatinine detection systems showed no significant difference,while eGFR results analyzed by two Jaffe detection system were significantly different.The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of eGFR and rGFR ranged from 0.879 to 0.923 by Jaffe method,while from 0.925 to 0.946 by enzymatic creatinine method.ICC and Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between eGFR and rGFR,and the correlation was better when using enzymatic method.Bland-Altman plots indicated that large deviation occurred in the high value area of GFR using various equations.However,deviation with the enzymatic creatinine method was smaller than that with the Jaffe method. When rGFR ≥ 60 ml · min- 1 ·(1.73 m2) -1,the 30％ accuracy of eGFR using enzymatic creatinine method for all six equations was between 68.3％ and 90.0％,while it was between 41％ and 75％ when using Jaffe method. The 30％ accuracy of eGFR using enzymatic creatinine method was significantly higher than that using picric acid method for these equations except for the project group equation 1.When rGFR ＜60 ml · min -1 · ( 1.73 m2 ) -1,the 30％accuracy of eGFR using both methods was between 39.7％ -49.1％,40.5％ -52.6％respectively,and the difference of data showed no statistical significance.For the same equation,there was a significant differernce in 30％ accuracy of eGFR between two enzymatic creatinine detection systems,while there was no significant differernce between two Jaffe creatinine detection systems.ConclusionsA significant difference was demonstrated in the same GFR evaluation equation using two different creatinine detection methods (Jaffe method and enzymatic method).The correlation between rGFR and eGFR,the degree of deviation,and accuracy of eGFR results assessed by enzymatic creatinine method were better than those by Jaffe method.The eGFR results assessed by different enzymatic detection systems revealed no significant difference.

Objective To verify the criteria proposed by National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry(NACB)guidelines in investigating the factors that affect serum TSH determination, and to determine the reference range of serum TSH in iodine-sufficient areas of China. Methods In 2007, 5 348 inhabitants were enrolled from 3 iodine-sufficient areas of Liaoning Province, and were asked to fulfill the questionnaire. Serum TSH, thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb)were determined, and thyroid ultrasonography was carried out. Results The distribution of TSH levels was skewed in healthy people and closely fit the curve of Gaussian distribution after logarithmic transformation. The levels of TSH in subjects of 12-19 years of age were significantly higher than those of other age groups(P＜0.01), and no significant difference was found among the latter groups. TSH level in females [(1.68±1.90)mIU/L] was higher than in males[(1.45±1.92)mIU/L, P＜0.01]. The reference range of TSH was 0.43-4.74 mIU/L in males, and 0.48-5.39 mIU/L in females. Family history of thyroid disease, abnormal thyroid ultrasonography, and positive thyroid antibodies were the factors that influenced TSH level. Conclusion The reference range of serum TSH in iodine-sufficient areas of China is established.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), and identify the influencing factors for postoperative seizure controls.Methods:Fifty-seven patients with epilepsy caused by FCD admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2019 to November 2023 were chosen; standard preoperative evaluation, surgery, postoperative management and follow-up were performed. A retrospective study of clinical data, imaging and video electroencephalogram (VEEG) data, surgical approaches, pathological findings, and follow-up data was performed; influencing factors for postoperative seizure controls were analyzed.Results:In these 57 patients with epilepsy caused by FCD, 29 were males (50.88%) and 28 were females (49.12%). Onset age was 30.00 (8.00, 74.50) months, and surgery age was 95.00 (50.00, 138.50) months. Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (42/57; 73.68%) and epileptic spasms (13/57; 22.81%) were common seizure types. Cranial MRI was positive in 34 patients (59.65%), mainly manifested as abnormal cortical gyri/sulci morphology (17/57; 29.82%). In 43 patients accepted PET-CT, hypometabolic sites were detected in 40 (93.02%), and complete agreement between PET/MRI fusion results and actual lesion sites was noted in 40 (93.02%). FCD type I was noted in 16 patients (28.07%), type II in 39 (68.42%), and type III in 2 (3.51%). By December 2023, 44 (77.19%) had Engel grading I, 4 (7.02%) had grading II, 4 (7.02%) had grading III, and 5 (8.77%) had grading IV. Children with good prognosis (Engel grading I+II) and those with poor prognosis (Engel grading III+IV) showed significant differences in terms of time from first seizure to surgery, positive/negative MRI, and regularity of postoperative ASMs ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure is the most common seizure type in patients with epilepsy caused by FCD, and abnormal cortical gyri/sulci morphology is the most common MRI manifestation; PET/MRI fusion imaging is superior to PET-CT or MRI in identifying epileptogenic foci. Poor seizure control can be noted in patients with long onset time to surgery, with negative cranial MRI results, or with irregular postoperative ASMs.

It is noteworthy that only 5% of more than 7000 described rare diseases are treated. In the era of big data, there is ever-increasing data for understanding biomedicine. The need for efficient and rapid data collection, analyses and characterization methods is pressing. Rare diseases can particularly benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) application. AI, with an emphasis on machine learning, creates a path for such efforts and is being applied to diagnosis and treatment. AI has demonstrated its potential to learn and analyze data from different sources with results in prediction。Presently, there are AI-driven technologies applied for rare diseases and this review aims to summarize these advances. Moreover, this review scrutinizes the limitation and identifies the pitfalls of AI applications in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.