Objective:To explore the relationship between arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) desmosomal protein gene mutations and Yunnan unexplained sudden death (hereinafter referred to as Yunnan sudden death) by detecting 5 common ARVC desmosomal protein gene mutations of Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives in Heqing County, Yunnan Province.Methods:In January 2021, the autopsy heart cavity blood was collected from Yunnan sudden death cases in 8 villages in Heqing County, and peripheral venous blood samples of relatives of the cases were collected. Blood samples' DNA was extracted, after PCR amplification, 97 exons of 5 desmosomal protein genes [desmoplakin (DSP), desmoglein-2 (DSG2), plakophilin-2 (PKP2), junction plakoglobin (JUP) and desmocollin-2 (DSC2)] were sequenced by Sanger method to analyze gene mutations.Results:Three blood samples of Yunnan sudden death cases and 36 blood samples of relatives were collected. A total of 26 gene mutation sites were detected in 39 blood samples, with a total mutation rate of 26.80% (26/97). There were 13, 5, 3, 3 and 2 mutation sites in DSP, DSG2, PKP2, JUP and DSC2 genes, respectively. Among them, 19 were reported mutations and 7 were new mutations: DSP gene exon 3 c.372G>A, exon 15 c.2090A>G, exon 17 c.2371C>A, exon 24-I c.8458T>G; DSG2 gene exon 8 c.861C>T; PKP2 gene exon 3 c.892C>A, exon 8 c.1725G>T. Three Yunnan sudden death cases and 36 relatives were all carriers of compound gene mutation, and the same person carried 3 - 9 gene mutation sites at the same time.Conclusion:Mutations of ARVC desmosomal protein genes DSP, DSG2, PKP2, JUP and DSC2 exist in Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives, which may be the genetic background factors of some Yunnan sudden death.

Objective:To analyze common pathogenic gene mutations of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in Yunnan unexplained sudden death (hereinafter referred to as Yunnan sudden death) cases, and explore the etiological relationship between Yunnan sudden death and ARVC.Methods:Four typical Yunnan sudden death affected counties (cities) were selected as investigation sites. Cryopreserved autopsy cardiac cavity blood samples were collected from Yunnan sudden death cases ( n = 3), and peripheral venous blood samples were harvested from their relatives (first, second, third and immediate degree of kinship, n = 67) and control population ( n = 49). The DNA of blood samples was extracted for amplification and sequencing of 97 exons of 5 common ARVC desmosomal protein [desmoplakin (DSP), desmocollin-2 (DSC2), desmoglein-2 (DSG2), plakophilin-2 (PKP2) and junction plakoglobin (JUP)] genes, and genetic lineage of Yunnan sudden death cases was investigated. Results:A total of 17 gene mutation sites were discovered in Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives, with 6, 5, 4, 1 and 1 in the DSP, DSC2, DSG2, PKP2 and JUP genes, which were not found in the control population. Among them, 9 were newly discovered mutation sites and 8 were reported mutation sites. The DSP gene exon 24 c.8472 G>C, a pure contractual sense mutation, was common in the relatives of 4 cases in the same family surveyed; and one immediate relative carried a deletion mutation at c.2368 - 2370 of exon 15 of DSC2 gene.Conclusion:Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives carry mutations in the ARVC desmosomal protein DSP, DSC2, DSG2, PKP2, and JUP genes, and the onset of some Yunnan sudden death may be associated with mutations in the ARVC desmosomal protein genes.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention measures on Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD) in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific basis for improving the prevention and control measures.Methods:Since 2010, Yunnan Province had implemented comprehensive intervention measures in ward areas according to the etiological pattern of YUSD. In July 2019, 47 families with YUSD were selected as case families and 23 families without YUSD were selected as control families in 31 natural villages of Heqing, Xiangyun, Yunlong, Eryuan, Jianchuan, Binchuan and Nanjian counties of Dali Prefecture. A unified questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information, economic status, dietary structure, and health literacy of the families during the two periods of "the first sudden death case" and "the present".Results:The annual household income of the case families at present (median, 20 492.6 yuan) was significantly higher than that of the first sudden death case (3 883.4 yuan), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.27, P < 0.001). At present, rice (76.6%, 36/47) was the main diet of the case families; at the time of the first sudden death case, 23.4% (11/47) of the case families could not eat enough, and there was no such situation in the case families at present. Compared with the time of the first sudden death case, the dietary habits of the case families at present were as follows: the proportion of eating Trogia venenata decreased from 19.0% (39/205) to 0 (0/190), the proportion of eating wild fruit decreased from 17.1% (35/205) to 9.5% (18/190), and the proportion of drinking raw water decreased from 55.1% (113/205) to 42.1% (80/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 22.37, 4.90, 6.86, P < 0.05). Lifestyle and health awareness: the proportion of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet increased from 9.8% (20/205) to 41.6% (79/190), those who did not overwork increased from 16.6% (34/205) to 34.2% (65/190), and those who took good protection when spraying pesticides increased from 7.3% (15/205) to 21.6% (41/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 53.17, 33.94, 16.48, P < 0.001). Toilet habits: the proportion of using outdoor toilet decreased from 75.6% (155/205) to 9.5% (18/190), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 175.21, P < 0.001). When the first sudden death case occurred, the proportions of eating Trogia venenata and using outdoor toilet in the case families were higher than those in the control families (χ 2 = 22.37, 23.70, P < 0.001), the proportions of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet and those who did not overwork in the case families were lower than those in the control families (χ 2 = 7.38, 4.93, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The economic conditions, production and living conditions of YUSD areas in Dali Prefecture have been significantly improved, and the health literacy and health prevention awareness of the population have been greatly improved. Economic conditions and living standard, dietary structure and health literacy may be related factors of YUSD.

Objective:To investigate the effect of jugular tubercle thickness on pathogenesis of hemifacial spasm (HFS) and its curative efficacy by microvascular decompression (MVD).Methods:One hundred and thirty-five HFS patients accepted MVD in our hospital from June 2017 to May 2018 were enrolled in this study. The thickness of the jugular tubercle was measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with steady state acquisition (FIESTA) sequence. The differences of jugular tubercle thickness and arterial flow rate from the jugular tubercle to the brainstem between the healthy side and symptomatic side in these patients were compared. These patients were divided into immediate symptom-relief group ( n=112) and symptom residual group ( n=23) according to the symptom relief one d after MVD; the difference of jugular tubercle thickness between the two groups were compared. Results:No significant difference in the jugular tubercle thickness was noted between the healthy side and the symptomatic side in all 135 patients ( t=0.787, P=0.432). The arterial flow rate from the jugular tubercle to the brainstem in the symptomatic side (95.6%) was significantly higher than that in the healthy side (57.0%, P<0.05). The jugular tubercle thickness in the symptomatic residual group ([5.13±2.19] mm) was significantly higher than that in the immediate symptom-relief group ([4.03±1.16] mm, t=2.114, P=0.0396). Conclusion:The thickness of jugular tubercle is not associated with HFS onset, but may affect the immediate outcome of MVD.

Objective:To improve the prognosis stratification, especially early mortality(EM), of elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(NDMM).Methods:In this retrospective study, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify the independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival(OS)and the chi-square test and multivariate Logistic analysis were used to identify the prognostic factors associated with EM in 223 elderly patients(age≥65 years)with NDMM from three centers in the country.Results:Increased NT-pro-BNP(≥300 pg/ml), ECOG-PS≥2 and stage Ⅲ R-ISS were identified as three independent adverse prognostic factors of OS.The rates of EM3, EM6, EM12 and EM24 were 12.1%, 20.1%, 32.2% and 60%, respectively.The most common cause for EM6(particularly EM3)was disease-related complications resulting from ineligibility for treatment due to poor physical performance, severe organ dysfunction or treatment discontinuation due to treatment intolerance, while the most common cause for EM12(particularly EM24)was disease progression or relapse mainly as a result of inadequate treatment.R-ISS staging failed to predict EM, while decreased eGFR, ECOG-PS≥2, and increased NT-pro-BNP were able to estimate the risk of EM, with increased NT-pro-BNP as a common independent factor for EM12( P=0.03)and EM24( P=0.015). Conclusions:R-ISS staging, which primarily reflects MM biology, cannot predict EM.However, factors such as NT-pro-BNP, eGFR and ECOG-PS associated with frailty and impairment of organ functions can be used to estimate the risk of EM, among which NT-pro-BNP may be the most important independent factor for EM.Therefore, incorporation of these frailty-related biomarkers into R-ISS staging may be able to more precisely estimate the prognosis and particularly early death of elderly patients with NDMM.

Objectives: . Branchio-oto syndrome (BOS) primarily manifests as hearing loss, preauricular pits, and branchial defects. EYA1 is the most common pathogenic gene, and splicing mutations account for a substantial proportion of cases. However, few studies have addressed the structural changes in the protein caused by splicing mutations and potential pathogenic factors, and several studies have shown that middle-ear surgery has limited effectiveness in improving hearing in these patients. BOS has also been relatively infrequently reported in the Chinese population. This study explored the genetic etiology in the family of a proband with BOS and provided clinical treatment to improve the patient’s hearing. Methods: . We collected detailed clinical features and peripheral blood samples from the patients and unaffected individuals within the family. Pathogenic mutations were identified by whole-exome sequencing and cosegregation analysis and classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Alternative splicing was verified through a minigene assay. The predicted three-dimensional protein structure and biochemical experiments were used to investigate the pathogenicity of the mutation. The proband underwent middle-ear surgery and was followed up at 1 month and 6 months postoperatively to monitor auditory improvement. Results: . A novel heterozygous EYA1 splicing variant (c.1050+4 A>C) was identified and classified as pathogenic (PVS1(RNA), PM2, PP1). Skipping of exon 11 of the EYA1 pre-mRNA was confirmed using a minigene assay. This mutation may impair EYA1-SIX1 interactions, as shown by an immunoprecipitation assay. The EYA1-Mut protein exhibited cellular mislocalization and decreased protein expression in cytological experiments. Middle-ear surgery significantly improved hearing loss caused by bone-conduction abnormalities in the proband. Conclusion . We reported a novel splicing variant of EYA1 in a Chinese family with BOS and revealed the potential molecular pathogenic mechanism. The significant hearing improvement observed in the proband after middle-ear surgery provides a reference for auditory rehabilitation in similar patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive human cancer with increasing incidence worldwide. Multiple efforts have been made to explore pharmaceutical therapies to treat HCC, such as targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune based therapies and combination of chemotherapy. However, limitations exist in current strategies including chemoresistance for instance. Tumor initiation and progression is driven by reprogramming of metabolism, in particular during HCC development. Recently, metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a reappraisal of new nomenclature for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), indicates growing appreciation of metabolism in the pathogenesis of liver disease, including HCC, thereby suggesting new strategies by targeting abnormal metabolism for HCC treatment. In this review, we introduce directions by highlighting the metabolic targets in glucose, fatty acid, amino acid and glutamine metabolism, which are suitable for HCC pharmaceutical intervention. We also summarize and discuss current pharmaceutical agents and studies targeting deregulated metabolism during HCC treatment. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges in the discovery and development of HCC therapy targeting metabolism are discussed.