Objective To investigate the effect of auditory brainstem response(ABR)in clinical detection and severity assessment of autism spectrum disorder(ASD)in children with normal hearing.Methods ① A total of 55 autistic children(110 ears)with normal hearing and 55 children(110 ears)with typical development(TD)who did not differ in sex composition ratio and average monthly age were divided into four sub-groups according to age:≤24 months group(22 ears),25～36 months group(40 ears),37～48 months group(28 ears)and＞48 months group(20 ears).The ABR latencies and interpeak latencies were compared between ASD children and age-matched TD children.② ASD children were graded by severity according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Dis-orders(DSM-V),and the correlations between the ABR latencies and interpeak latencies in autistic children with normal hearing and the severity grading were studied.Results ① No statistically significant differences in ABR wave latencies and interpeak latencies were found in autistic children with normal hearing under 24 months of age compared to age-matched TD children(P＞0.05).② Compared with children with TD,autistic children with nor-mal hearing at 25～36 months of age had significantly longer wave Ⅲ latencies and the interpeak latencies of Ⅰ-Ⅲ andⅠ-Ⅴ;the significantly longer wave Ⅲ,Ⅴ latencies,the interpeak latencies of Ⅰ-Ⅲ,Ⅲ-Ⅴ and Ⅰ-Ⅴ in autistic chil-dren with normal hearing at 37～48 months of age.Autistic children with normal hearing in the＞48 months group had significantly longer wave Ⅴ latencies and interpeak latencies of Ⅲ-Ⅴ,Ⅰ-Ⅴ than age-matched TD children(P＜0.05).③ The higher the ASD severity grading the longer the wave Ⅲ and V latencies and the longer interpeak latencies of Ⅰ-Ⅲ,Ⅲ-Ⅴ,and Ⅰ-Ⅴ(P＜0.05).Conclusion Differences in the level of auditory brainstem pathway de-velopment emerged at 25 months of age,and autistic children with normal hearing had significantly lower levels of auditory brainstem development than age-matched TD children.There were correlations between the latencies and interpeak latencies of ABR in autistic children with normal hearing and the severity grading.

Objective:This study aimed to compare the audiological characteristics between children with unilateral auditory neuropathy (UAN) and single-sided deafness (SSD) to establish a valid basis for the differential diagnosis of children with UAN.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on audiological and imaging evaluations of children with UAN and SSD who were treated at Beijing Children′s Hospital of Capital Medical University between May 2015 and June 2023. There were 17 children with UAN, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with an average age of 4.7 years. Additionally, there were 43 children with SSD, consisting of 27 males and 16 females, with an average age of 6.5 years. Audiological assessments included Auditory brainstem response (ABR), Steady-state auditory evoked potential (ASSR), Behavioural audiometry, Cochlear microphonic potential (CM), Distortino-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), and acoustic immittance test. The results of the audiological assessment and imaging phenotypic between the two groups of children were compared and analyzed by applying SPSS 27.0 statistical software.Results:(1) The UAN group (77.8%) had a significantly higher rate of ABR wave III L than the SSD group (20.9%) ( P<0.01). The PA thresholds at 500 Hz and 1 000 Hz of children with SSD were higher than those of children with UAN, while the ASSR thresholds at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2 000 Hz, and 4 000 Hz of children with SSD were significantly higher than those of children with UAN ( P<0.05). (2) The degree of hearing loss in both UAN and SSD children was predominantly complete hearing loss. The percentage of complete hearing loss was significantly higher (χ2=4.353, P=0.037) in the SSD group (93.0%, 40/43) than in the UAN group (63.6%, 7/11). However, the percentage of profound hearing loss was significantly higher in the UAN group (27.3%, 3/11) than in the SSD group (2.3%, 1/43) ( Fisher′s exact test, P=0.023). In terms of hearing curve configuration, the percentage of flat type was significantly higher in the SSD group (76.7%, 33/43) than in the UAN group (36.4%, 4/11). The proportion of the UAN group (27.3%, 3/11) was significantly higher than that in the SSD group (2.3%, 1/43) in ascending type ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the hearing curves of the declining type and other types between the two groups ( P>0.05). (3) The proportion of imaging assessment without abnormality was significantly more common in the UAN group (81.8%) than in the SSD group (37.1%) (χ2=6.695, P=0.015). Conclusions:Compared to children with SSD, the occurrence of wave III L on the ABR test was significantly more common in children with UAN. The percentage of ascending hearing curves was significantly higher in children with UAN than in children with SSD. ASSR thresholds were significantly lower in children with UAN. The normal imaging phenotype was significantly more common in children with UAN than in children with SSD.

Background::Genetic variants of dopaminergic transcription factor-encoding genes are suggested to be Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk factors; however, no comprehensive analyses of these genes in patients with PD have been undertaken. Therefore, we aimed to genetically analyze 16 dopaminergic transcription factor genes in Chinese patients with PD.Methods::Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed using a Chinese cohort comprising 1917 unrelated patients with familial or sporadic early-onset PD and 1652 controls. Additionally, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using another Chinese cohort comprising 1962 unrelated patients with sporadic late-onset PD and 1279 controls.Results::We detected 308 rare and 208 rare protein-altering variants in the WES and WGS cohorts, respectively. Gene-based association analyses of rare variants suggested that MSX1 is enriched in sporadic late-onset PD. However, the significance did not pass the Bonferroni correction. Meanwhile, 72 and 1730 common variants were found in the WES and WGS cohorts, respectively. Unfortunately, single-variant logistic association analyses did not identify significant associations between common variants and PD. Conclusions::Variants of 16 typical dopaminergic transcription factors might not be major genetic risk factors for PD in Chinese patients. However, we highlight the complexity of PD and the need for extensive research elucidating its etiology.

Objective To investigate the value of the liver imaging reporting and data system v2018(LI-RADS v2018)and other imaging features in predicting preoperative risk and postoperative prognosis of isolated macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma(MTM-HCC).Methods Patients with isolated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)confirmed by pathology after preoperative MRI examination were selected,and all patients were randomly assigned to a training group(n=146)and a validation group(n=62)in a 7∶3 ratio.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent prognostic factors of MTM-HCC and construct a nomogram.Patients were stratified into high-risk and low-risk subgroups based on the nomogram scores.Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Log-rank tests were used to compare the recurrence-free survival(RFS)among different subgroups of patients.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that intratumoral vessels[odds ratio(OR)=3.480,95％confidence interval(CI)1.110-10.912,P=0.032],arterial phase hypovascular component ≥20％(OR=4.615,95％CI 1.728-12.321,P=0.002),and corona enhancement(OR=4.814,95％CI 1.816-12.766,P=0.002)were independent predictors of MTM-HCC.The nomogram constructed based on these indicators demonstrated area under the curve(AUC)of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was 0.834 and 0.764 for predicting MTM-HCC in the training and validation groups,respectively.The RFS predicted by the nomogram was significantly different between the high-risk and low-risk subgroups and both the pathologically confirmed MTM-HCC positive and negative groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Intratumoral vessels,arterial phase hypovascular component ≥20％,and corona enhancement are independent predictors of MTM-HCC.The constructed nomogram based on these predictors demonstrates good diagnostic efficacy for MTM-HCC and has significant prognostic value for patients'RFS.

Objective:To observe and analyze the ocular clinical features and pathogenic genes of Alstr?m syndrome (ALMS).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From October 2020 to July 2022, 3 patients and 5 normal family members from 2 families affected with ALMS who visited in the Ophthalmology Department of Henan Children's Hospital were enrolled in the study. These 2 families were without blood relationship. The medical history and family history were inquired. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus color photography, full-field electroretinogram (ERG), frequency domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and systemic examination were performed. 3 ml peripheral venous blood of patients and their family members were collected, and the whole genomic DNA was extracted. The second generation sequencing analysis was performed on these members. The suspected pathogenic mutation sites were verified by Sanger, and the pathogenicity of the gene mutation sites were determined by bioinformatics analysis.Results:Three patients from two families all developed nystagmus and photophobia in infancy. In the family 1, the BCVA of both eyes of the proband was no light perception. The fundus examination revealed vascular attenuation and retinal pigment abnormality. OCT showed retinal thinning, loss of photoreceptor layer and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium layer. ERG examination showed extinguished. The BCVA of the proband’s younger brother was 0.04 in the right eye and 0.02 in the left eye. The fundus examination revealed vascular attenuation but the pigment distribution was roughly normal. OCT showed blurred photoreceptor layers in both eyes. ERG examination showed extinguished. Two patients developed sensorineural deafness, obesity, acanthosis nigricans, insulin resistance/diabetes, and abnormal liver function. In addition, the proband also had left heart enlargement, hyperlipidemia and abnormal kidney function. The results of genetic testing showed that the proband and his younger brother had compound heterozygous mutations in exon 8 (c.1894C>T/p.Gln632*, M1) and exon 10 (c.9148_9149delCT/p.Leu 3050 Leufs*9, M2) of ALMS1, which were both known mutations. The father of the proband was a carrier of M1 and the mother of the proband was a carrier of M2. The proband of the family 2 had a normal fundus at 23 months old. The amplitude of ERG b wave under the stimulation of the dark adaptation 0.01 and a, b wave under the stimulation of dark adaptation 0.3 were all mild reduced. The amplitude of ERG a, b wave under the stimulation of the light adaptation 0.3 was severity decreased. At 4 years old, the BCVA was 0.01 in the right eye and 0.05 in the left eye. The fundus examination revealed vascular attenuation and bilateral blunted foveal reflex. In addition to severely diminished of a, b wave under the stimulation of dark adaptation 0.3, the rest showed extinguished. There were no systemic abnormalities. The results of genetic testing showed that the proband had compound heterozygous mutations in exon 11 (c.9627delT/p.Pro3210Glnfs*22, M3) and exon 5 (c.1089delT/p.Asp364Ilefs*13, M4) of ALMS1, which were both novel mutations. The father of the proband was a carrier of M3 and the mother of the proband was a carrier of M4. Conclusions:Nystagmus and photophobia are often the first clinical manifestations of ALMS. In the early stage, the fundus can be basically normal. As the disease progresses, the fundus examination reveals vascular attenuation and retinal pigment abnormality, and the reflection of the fovea is unclear. OCT shows the photoreceptor cell layers are blurred or even lost. The final ERG is extinguished. M1, M2, and M3, M4 compound heterozygous mutations may be the pathogeny for family 1 and family 2, respectively.

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not fully elucidated. However, it has been considered that inflammatory macrophages may be involved in the imbalance of the intestinal mucosal immunity to regulate several signaling pathways, leading to IBD progression. The ratio of M1 to M2 subtypes of activated macrophages tends to increase in the inflamed intestinal section. There are challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD, such as unsatisfactory specificity of imaging findings, low drug accumulation in the intestinal lesions, unstable therapeutic efficacy, and drug-related systemic toxicity. Recently developed nanoparticles may provide a new approach for the diagnosis and treatment of IBD. Nanoparticles targeted to macrophages can be used as contrast agents to improve the imaging quality or used as a drug delivery vector to increase the therapeutic efficiency of IBD. This article reviews the research progress on macrophage-targeting nanoparticles for the diagnosis and treatment of IBD to provide a reference for further research and clinical application.
Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/therapy* ; Intestines ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology* ; Nanoparticles

Objective To identify the effectiveness of physical therapy on neuromuscular control dysfunction of chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods CAI physiotherapy-related systematic reviews, meta-analysis, randomized controlled studies and case-controlled studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, PEDro, EBSCO and CNKI from October 1st, 2010 to October 1st, 2020. After quality assessment, the research evidence regarding certain intervention was then graded according to the Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine. Results A total of 20 articles were included. Intervention based on unstable plane exercise training could significantly improve lower limb balance control ability (Ⅰ A) and muscle strength (Ⅱ A) for CAI patients. The efficiency of exercise-based intervention could be further raised (Ⅱ C) with the aid of external equipment, but either the benefits in muscle reaction (Ⅲ C) or proprioception (Ⅱ D) was limited. Six sessions or more of manual therapy could be used to enhance the balance ability of the lower limbs (Ⅱ B), while taping failed to provide improvements in ankle proprioception in short period or immediately (Ⅰ A). Conclusion Unstable plane training-based therapeutic exercise and manual therapy could effectively enhance the neuromuscular control with high-quality evidence supporting, which can be primary interventions for CAI patients. Meanwhile, taping and other external devices could be used as adjunct methods to improve the efficiency of physiotherapy program, while there is currently no evidence to support the application of modality treatment in neuromuscular control of CAI.

Objective:To observe the ocular clinical features and efficacy of young infants with incontinentia pigmenti (IP).Methods:A retrospective study. Clinical data of 18 young infants with IP aged 0-3 months in the Department of Ophthalmology of Henan Children's Hospital from October 2017 to February 2019 were collected in this study. All patients were underwent fundus examination under topical anesthesia or general anesthesia. Among them, 9 cases were underwent genetic testing. Patients were determined whether to treated with retinal laser photocoagulation (LIO) or intravitreal conbercept (IVC, 0.25 mg/0.025 ml) according to the condition of eyes. The followed-up time ranged from 4months to 43 months. The ocular clinical features and treatment were observed.Results:There were 1 male and 17 females of the 18 patients. The age of first visit were 1.2±1.0 months (2 d-3 months). All cases had typical skin lesions, 4 cases had neurological symptoms, 10 cases had tooth abnormalities, and 4 cases had cicatricial alopecia. Among the 9 cases that were underwent genetic testing, 5 cases were deleted in exons 4-10 of the IKBKG gene and 1 case were a heterozygous mutation c.1124delT in exon 9 of the IKBKG gene. Among the 36 eyes, 21 eyes of 13 cases with incontinentia pigmenti-associated ocular diseases were all retinopathy (58.3%,21/36). Retinopathy of 9 cases were asymmetrical (69.2%,9/13). Among the 21 eyes, 3 eyes were simple retinal pigment abnormalities (14.3%,3/21) and 18 cases had retinal vascular lesion (85.7%, 18/21). Among the 36 eyes, 8 eyes were treated; 4 eyes were underwent LIO; 3 eyes were treated with IVC; 1 eye was treated with LIO combined with IVC. They were all improved significantly after the operation without serious complications. 1 eye with retinal detachment did not undergo surgical treatment due to guardian reasons. Perceptual exotropia and eyeball atrophy was found during the follow-up. Conclusions:The onset of IP-related ocular anomalies is early. The early anomalies were mainly retinal vascular abnormalities. Treatment in early time is effective.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a very important pathogen, especially for children.On a global scale, GAS is an important cause of morbidity and mortality.But the burden of disease caused by GAS is still unknown in China and also has not obtained enough attention.For this purpose, the expert consensus is comprehensively described in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of GAS diseases in children, covering related aspects of pneumology, infectiology, immunology, microbiology, cardiology, nephrology, critical care medicine and preventive medicine.Accordingly, the consensus document was intended to improve management strategies of GAS disease in Chinese children.

In vitro studies have established the prevalent theory that the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 protects neurodegeneration by removing damaged mitochondria in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, difficulty in detecting endogenous PINK1 protein in rodent brains and cell lines has prevented the rigorous investigation of the in vivo role of PINK1. Here we report that PINK1 kinase form is selectively expressed in the human and monkey brains. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deficiency of PINK1 causes similar neurodegeneration in the brains of fetal and adult monkeys as well as cultured monkey neurons without affecting mitochondrial protein expression and morphology. Importantly, PINK1 mutations in the primate brain and human cells reduce protein phosphorylation that is important for neuronal function and survival. Our findings suggest that PINK1 kinase activity rather than its mitochondrial function is essential for the neuronal survival in the primate brains and that its kinase dysfunction could be involved in the pathogenesis of PD.