Objective To explore the value of MRI in diagnosis of fetal meconium peritonitis.Methods Seven meconium peritonitis fetuses proved by surgery and pathology were enrolled.The prenatal MRI findings and clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.Results Six fetuses showed a large amount of ascites,intestinal tube floating in the abdomen,small intestine gathered together.One fetus showed a giant abdominal cystic mass,with bowel compressed,displaced and uneven dilated.Four fetuses showed small colon and rectum,or without meconium signal.Two fetuses were accompanied by bilateral hydrocele.Amniotic fluid increased in 3 cases.After the neonates were born,1 case of them died from sudden heart rate decline during operation,1 case died from severe pulmonary edema after operation,and 5 cases survived after operation.Conclusion MRI has some features in the prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis,which can provide an important basis for postpartum treatment and evaluation of prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the value of MRI in the diagnosis of jejunal and ileal atresia in fetus.Methods:This study included thirteen neonates with surgically and pathologically confirmed jejunal or ileal atresia without other gastrointestinal diseases treated in our institution between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018. MRI was performed on all fetuses subsequent to routine prenatal sonographic examinations indicated bowel dilation or ascites. MR images were analyzed by two radiologists,and MRI diagnosis was compared with surgical and pathological results.Results:On prenatal MRI, eight fetuses exhibited single or multiple dilated small bowel loops, one of them exhibited a cystic mass in the abdomen; five fetuses exhibited massive ascites, and collected bowels. On final surgical and pathological diagnosis, nine fetuses had ileal atresia, five of them had intestinal perforation; four fetuses had jejunal atresia, one of them had intestinal perforation and a meconium pseudocyst. Among the 7 cases without intestinal perforation, the atresia location was diagnosed correctly in 5 cases. The 6 fetuses with intestinal perforation were diagnosed as intestinal atresia and meconium peritonitis by prenatal MRI, but the location of atresia could not be determined.Conclusions:Jejunal and ileal atresia have their characteristic manifestations on prenatal MRI. The location of atresia can be inferred from the distribution of amniotic fluid and meconium in the intestine. Prenatal MRI has a complementary role in the assessment of fetal bowel abnormalities after standard obstetric ultrasound.

Chinese Medical Association and L'Oréal Group jointly launched the "China Skin & Hair Grant" from 2003 to 2018 to support Chinese dermatologists in skin and hair research. This program has not only helped improve the research capability of Chinese dermatologists, but also yielded abundant valuable Chinese population-based clinical and basic research results, and further enabled active academic communication through Chinese and international journals and conferences. This article summarizes main results from skin-related research projects based on program records and publications.

Objective To explore the polymorphism of tyrosinase (TYR) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genes and their mRNA expression levels in relation to coat-color phenotypes in guinea pigs, providing genetic markers for locating dominant traits in guinea pigs. Methods A total of 57 self-bred ordinary-level guinea pigs were selected and divided into three groups based on coat color: white (n=22), variegated (n=22) and black (n=13). The guinea pigs were euthanized with an overdose of pentobarbital sodium via intraperitoneal injection. DNA was then extracted from the dorsal skin tissue. Polymorphism in the coding sequence (CDS) of the exons of the TYR and MC1R genes in each group was detected by cloning and sequencing. The mRNA expression of the two genes in skin tissues was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR to investigate the relationship between these genes and guinea pig coat color. Results A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site was found in the CDS region of TYR exon Ⅰ, where the base A was replaced by G. All white guinea pigs had the G/G genotype for TYR, while no deep-colored (variegated and black) guinea pigs exhibited the G/G genotype for TYR. Most deep-colored guinea pigs had the A/A genotype, and a few had A/G genotype. The A/A genotype frequency in black guinea pigs was higher than in variegated guinea pigs. A 2 760 bp sequence deletion was identified in the exon of the MC1R gene, marked as the - gene, with non-deleted samples marked as N gene. Most white guinea pigs had the -/- genotype for MC1R, variegated guinea pigs mainly had the -/N genotype, and black guinea pigs mainly had the N/N genotype, with a few showing the -/N. The TYR gene expression level was higher in white guinea pigs, lower in variegated guinea pigs, and intermediate in black guinea pigs, but there was no significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). The MC1R gene expression level in white guinea pigs was extremely low, while both variegated and black guinea pigs showed significantly higher levels than white guinea pigs (P<0.01). Black guinea pigs showed significantly higher levels than variegated guinea pigs (P<0.05). ConclusionThe TYR and MC1R genes synergistically regulate coat color of guinea pigs. The G-site mutation in the TYR gene may lead to albinism, and the change of N-site in the MC1R gene affects the depth of the coat color.