Objective:To investigate the genetic causes of fetuses with abnormal nasal bone development in early pregnancy.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted which involved 422 cases of singleton pregnancies with nasal bone development abnormalities indicated by ultrasound screening at 11 to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation, who underwent chorionic villus sampling for prenatal diagnosis at the Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Center, Maternity & Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2015 to May 2023. All cases underwent chromosomal karyotype analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) analysis. Based on whether other abnormal ultrasound indicators were present, the cases were divided into isolated (175 cases) and non-isolated groups (247 cases). The results of invasive prenatal diagnosis, distribution of chromosomal abnormalities, detection of copy number variation (CNV) in fetuses with nasal bone development abnormalities, the relationship between maternal age, number of abnormal ultrasound indicators and chromosomal abnormalities, and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test (continuity correction Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test). Results:(1) Among the 422 cases, 262 cases (62.1%) showed no abnormalities with both detection techniques; 160 cases had abnormalities, including 145 cases (34.4%) had consistent abnormal results and types of abnormalies with the two techniques; two cases (0.5%) had chromosomal translocations detected by karyotype analysis but not by SNP-array analysis; 13 cases (3.1%) had no abnormalities detected by karyotype analysis but had abnormal SNP-array results. This study's overall detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities was 37.9% (160/422), with an additional detection rate of 4.7% (13/275) using SNP-array technology. (2) Among the 160 cases of chromosomal abnormalities, there were 140 cases of aneuploidy, 18 cases of CNV, and two cases of chromosomal translocation. The overall detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities and the detection of aneuploidy, and pathogenic CNV in the non-isolated group was higher than that in the isolated group [74.3% (130/175) vs. 12.1% (30/247), χ2=168.02; 68.0% (119/175) vs. 8.5% (21/247), χ2=163.56; 5.7% (10/175) vs. 0.8% (2/247), χ2=4.74; all P<0.05]. Eighteen cases of CNV were detected using SNP-array technology, including eight cases in the isolated group and ten cases in the non-isolated group. (3) The age of the 422 pregnant women was (33.1±5.4) years. In both isolated and non-isolated groups, the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities was higher in women of advanced age (expected delivery age ≥35 years) than those not [isolated group: 20.0% (17/85) vs. 8.6% (14/162), χ2=6.55; non-isolated group: 82.1% (69/84) vs. 65.9% (60/91), χ2=5.92; both P=0.010]; regardless of maternal age, the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities in the non-isolated group was significantly higher than that in the isolated group ( χ2 were 65.28 and 92.42, respectively, both P<0.001). (4) In the non-isolated group, the detection rates of chromosomal abnormalities were 69.0% (78/113) and 83.9% (52/62) when nasal bone abnormalities were combined with one or more other abnormal ultrasound indicators, respectively. When combined with increased nuchal translucency, the detection rate of fetal chromosomal abnormalities was 73.2% (71/97), higher than the detection rate when combined with other single indicators (7/16) ( χ2=5.57, P=0.020). (5) Among the 262 cases with negative karyotype analysis and SNP-array results, 241 cases (92.0%) resulted in live births, with a gestational age at delivery of 39 weeks (32-41 weeks); 12 cases (4.6%) resulted in induced labor, five cases (1.9%) resulted in miscarriage, and four cases (1.5%) were lost to follow-up. The live birth rate in the isolated group was higher than that in the non-isolated group [86.9% (213/245) vs. 20.2% (35/173), χ2=187.00, P<0.001]. Conclusions:Fetuses with nasal bone developmental abnormalities in early pregnancy have a higher detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities and CNV. Invasive prenatal diagnosis is recommended for cases of nasal bone developmental abnormalities in early pregnancy, whether isolated or non-isolated. When combined with other abnormal indicators, the genetic etiology of the fetus is more complex, and detailed genetic counseling should be provided to the patient.

Objective:To investigate the genetic causes of fetuses with abnormal nasal bone development in early pregnancy.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted which involved 422 cases of singleton pregnancies with nasal bone development abnormalities indicated by ultrasound screening at 11 to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation, who underwent chorionic villus sampling for prenatal diagnosis at the Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Center, Maternity & Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2015 to May 2023. All cases underwent chromosomal karyotype analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) analysis. Based on whether other abnormal ultrasound indicators were present, the cases were divided into isolated (175 cases) and non-isolated groups (247 cases). The results of invasive prenatal diagnosis, distribution of chromosomal abnormalities, detection of copy number variation (CNV) in fetuses with nasal bone development abnormalities, the relationship between maternal age, number of abnormal ultrasound indicators and chromosomal abnormalities, and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test (continuity correction Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test). Results:(1) Among the 422 cases, 262 cases (62.1%) showed no abnormalities with both detection techniques; 160 cases had abnormalities, including 145 cases (34.4%) had consistent abnormal results and types of abnormalies with the two techniques; two cases (0.5%) had chromosomal translocations detected by karyotype analysis but not by SNP-array analysis; 13 cases (3.1%) had no abnormalities detected by karyotype analysis but had abnormal SNP-array results. This study's overall detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities was 37.9% (160/422), with an additional detection rate of 4.7% (13/275) using SNP-array technology. (2) Among the 160 cases of chromosomal abnormalities, there were 140 cases of aneuploidy, 18 cases of CNV, and two cases of chromosomal translocation. The overall detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities and the detection of aneuploidy, and pathogenic CNV in the non-isolated group was higher than that in the isolated group [74.3% (130/175) vs. 12.1% (30/247), χ2=168.02; 68.0% (119/175) vs. 8.5% (21/247), χ2=163.56; 5.7% (10/175) vs. 0.8% (2/247), χ2=4.74; all P<0.05]. Eighteen cases of CNV were detected using SNP-array technology, including eight cases in the isolated group and ten cases in the non-isolated group. (3) The age of the 422 pregnant women was (33.1±5.4) years. In both isolated and non-isolated groups, the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities was higher in women of advanced age (expected delivery age ≥35 years) than those not [isolated group: 20.0% (17/85) vs. 8.6% (14/162), χ2=6.55; non-isolated group: 82.1% (69/84) vs. 65.9% (60/91), χ2=5.92; both P=0.010]; regardless of maternal age, the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities in the non-isolated group was significantly higher than that in the isolated group ( χ2 were 65.28 and 92.42, respectively, both P<0.001). (4) In the non-isolated group, the detection rates of chromosomal abnormalities were 69.0% (78/113) and 83.9% (52/62) when nasal bone abnormalities were combined with one or more other abnormal ultrasound indicators, respectively. When combined with increased nuchal translucency, the detection rate of fetal chromosomal abnormalities was 73.2% (71/97), higher than the detection rate when combined with other single indicators (7/16) ( χ2=5.57, P=0.020). (5) Among the 262 cases with negative karyotype analysis and SNP-array results, 241 cases (92.0%) resulted in live births, with a gestational age at delivery of 39 weeks (32-41 weeks); 12 cases (4.6%) resulted in induced labor, five cases (1.9%) resulted in miscarriage, and four cases (1.5%) were lost to follow-up. The live birth rate in the isolated group was higher than that in the non-isolated group [86.9% (213/245) vs. 20.2% (35/173), χ2=187.00, P<0.001]. Conclusions:Fetuses with nasal bone developmental abnormalities in early pregnancy have a higher detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities and CNV. Invasive prenatal diagnosis is recommended for cases of nasal bone developmental abnormalities in early pregnancy, whether isolated or non-isolated. When combined with other abnormal indicators, the genetic etiology of the fetus is more complex, and detailed genetic counseling should be provided to the patient.

Objective:To evaluate the influencing factors of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) and its value to predict outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:Eligible patients undergoing PD in Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University between August 2016 and July 2018 were recruited and prospectively followed up until death, PD cessation, or to the end of the study. CF-PWV was measured by an arterial pulse wave velocity meter to assess arterial stiffness (July 31, 2020). Overhydration was measured by bioimpedance spectroscopy. The patients were divided into CF-PWV≤10 m/s group and CF-PWV>10 m/s group according to the measured value of CF-PWV. The influencing factors of elevated CF-PWV were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the difference for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality between the two groups.Results:A total of 224 PD patients were enrolled, including 133 males (59.4%). The age was (55.2±13.4) years old, and median PD vintage was 22.3(6.5, 59.3) months. Among them, 47(21.0%) patients were comorbid with diabetes, and 37(16.5%) patients had CVD history. The median CF-PWV was 9.6(8.4, 11.4) m/s for the cohort, and 105(46.9%) participants had CF-PWV over 10 m/s. Compared with CF-PWV≤10 m/s group, CF-PWV>10 m/s group patients had older age, increased percentage of diabetes and CVD (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that increased age ( OR=1.070, 95% CI 1.043-1.099, P<0.001), diabetes ( OR=3.693, 95% CI 1.646-8.287, P=0.002) and higher overhydration ( OR=1.238, 95% CI 1.034-1.483, P=0.020) were independent influencing factors for elevated CF-PWV in PD patients. After followed up for 37.4(25.6, 41.7) months, 24 patients died, including 19 cases of CVD-related deaths. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that all-cause mortality and CVD mortality were significantly higher in the CF-PWV>10 m/s group than those in CF-PWV≤10 m/s group (Log-rank χ2=6.423, P=0.011; Log-rank χ2=6.243, P=0.012, respectively). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models showed that increased age was an independent influencing factor for both all-cause mortality and CVD mortality ( HR=1.057, 95% CI 1.010-1.107, P=0.018; HR=1.062, 95% CI 1.009-1.118, P=0.022). Conclusions:Increased arterial stiffness is relatively common in PD patients. Higher CF-PWV in PD patients is associated with increased age, diabetes and higher overhydration, and it is probably a valuable predictor of outcome in PD patients.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of peritoneal protein clearance (Pcl) for cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:Eligible PD patients were prospectively enrolled from January 2014 to April 2015 in the PD Center of Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All patients were followed up until death, withdrawing from PD, transferring to other centers, or the end of study period (October 1, 2018). The patients were divided into high Pcl group and low Pcl group by the median Pcl, and the differences of related indicators between the two groups were compared. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of Pcl. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used to compare the cumulative survival rates of patients between the two groups. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to estimate the risk of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in relation to Pcl in PD patients.Results:A total of 271 patients were enrolled, with 135 males (49.8%), age of (56.92±0.84) years old and a median PD duration of 38.77(19.00, 63.10) months. There were 70 patients (25.8%) comorbiding with diabetes and 81 patients (29.9%) with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The median Pcl of this cohort was 67.93(52.31, 88.36) ml/d. Compared with the low Pcl group (Pcl<67.93 ml/d), the high Pcl group (Pcl≥67.93 ml/d) had older age, and greater proportion of CVD, body mass index (BMI), pulse pressure, brain natriuretic peptide, mass transfer area coefficient of creatinine (MTACcr), and lower serum albumin (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in gender, dialysis duration, proportion of diabetes, proportion of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker, proportion of continuous ambulatory PD, high sensitivity C reactive protein, fluid removal including 24 h urine volume and 24 h ultrafiltration, and residual renal function between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum albumin ( β=-0.388, P<0.001), BMI ( β=0.189, P<0.001), and MTACcr ( β=0.247, P<0.001) were independently related to lg(Pcl). During the study period, 55 patients experienced one or more cardiovascular events and 39 patients had cardiovascular mortality. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, cardiovascular mortality in the high Pcl group was higher than that of low Pcl group (Log-rank χ2=6.902, P=0.009). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, high lg(Pcl) was an independent influencing factor of cardiovascular events in PD patients ( HR=7.654, 95% CI 1.676-34.945, P=0.009). Conclusions:Serum albumin, BMI and MTACcr are independently associated with Pcl, and Pcl is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in PD patients.

DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in vertebrates, and it has been shown to be involved the regulation of gene expression and embryo development. However, it remains unclear how DNA methylation regulates sexual development, especially in species without sex chromosomes. To determine this, we utilized zebrafish to investigate DNA methylation reprogramming during juvenile germ cell development and adult female-to-male sex transition. We reveal that primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo significant DNA methylation reprogramming during germ cell development, and the methylome of PGCs is reset to an oocyte/ovary-like pattern at 9 days post fertilization (9 dpf). When DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity in juveniles was blocked after 9 dpf, the zebrafish developed into females. We also show that Tet3 is involved in PGC development. Notably, we find that DNA methylome reprogramming during adult zebrafish sex transition is similar to the reprogramming during the sex differentiation from 9 dpf PGCs to sperm. Furthermore, inhibiting DNMT activity can prevent the female-to-male sex transition, sug-gesting that methylation reprogramming is required for zebrafish sex transition. In summary, DNA methylation plays important roles in zebrafish germ cell development and sexual plasticity.

Objective:To explore the association of abdominal aortic calcification score (AACS) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:The patients who underwent regular PD at Renji Hospital between July 2011 and July 2014 were recruited and prospectively followed up until the end of the study (August 31, 2018), death, or dropout PD. Abdomen lateral X-ray was used to determine AACS for each patient at enrollment. Patients were divided into three groups based on the tertiles of AACS: non-calcified group, AACS group (AACS=0), mild-moderate calcification group AACS group (0

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods The patients who underwent regular peritoneal dialysis at Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between November 2016 and March 2018 were enrolled.Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured to assess muscle strength.Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) was applied to measure the lean tissue index (LTI).Reduced LTI plus decreased HGS was defined as sarcopenia.The prevalence of sarcopenia in PD patients was evaluated.According to the presence or absence of sarcopenia,they were divided into the sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group,and the differences in clinical indicators between the two groups were compared.Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the risk factors of sarcopenia in PD patients.Results A total of 207 patients were enrolled in the study with age of (55.3±13.7) years and a median PD duration of 22.9(7.3,60.9) months.Of them,122 patients (58.9％) were male,45 patients (21.7％) had diabetics and 32 patients (15.5％) suffered from cardiovascular diseases.There were 27 patients (13.0％) diagnosed with sarcopenia.These patients presented with longer PD duration,more prevalent diabetics,lower residual renal function (RRF) and serum pre-albumin,greater ratio of extracellular water to intracellular water (ECW/ICW) and high sensitive C-reactive protein in contrast with those in the non-sarcopenia group (all P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate logistic analysis showed that male (OR=3.94,95％ CI 1.35-11.50,P=0.O12),longer PD duration (OR=1.01,95％CI 1.00-1.02,P=0.029) and higher ECW/ICW (OR=1.09,95％CI 1.05-1.14,P ＜ 0.001) were independent risk factors of sarcopenia in PD patients.Conclusions Sarcopenia is common in PD patients.Male,longer PD duration and higher ECW/ICW were independent risk factors of sarcopenia in PD patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) on the treatment of knee synovial lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods The results of routine ultrasonography (US) and CEUS were observed in 37 patients with RA.Among them 26 knees were underwent review after treatment.The results before and after treatment were compared.Results Routine US showed that the synovial thickness of patella,medial and lateral condylar and the depth of suprapatellar bursa effusion in 37 knee joints were (0.47 ± 0.26)cm,(0.31 ± 0.15)cm,(0.36 ± 0.21)cm and (0.72 ± 0.42)cm before treatment,and (0.36± 0.16)cm,(0.28 ± 0.17)cm,(0.30 ± 0.19)cm and (0.41 ± 0.19)cm in 26 knee joints after treatment,respectively,the differences were statistically significant(P ＜0.05).The synovial blood flow classification of patella,medial and the lateral condyle in the 26 knee joints had difference between before and after treatment (P ＜0.05).CEUS showed that the peak intensity decreased,the area under the curve reduced,the time from peak to one half decreased,the wash in slope decreased and the time to peak prolonged in synovial after treatment,the differences of the parameters between before and after treatment were statistically significant(P ＜0.05).The area of synovial had some influence on the CEUS parameters and could improve the reliability of the evaluation to CEUS for treatment.Conclusions CEUS is an objective method to evaluate the efficacy of RA,which provides a reliable basis for clinical treatment of RA.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whether or not migraine can cause cumulative brain alterations due to frequent migraine-related nociceptive input in patients is largely unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize longitudinal changes in brain activity between repeated observations within a short time interval in a group of female migraine patients, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Nineteen patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional interregional connectivity were assessed to determine the focal and global features of brain dysfunction in migraine. The relationship between changes in headache parameters and longitudinal brain alterations were also investigated. RESULTS: All patients reported that their headache activity increased over time. Abnormal ReHo changes in the patient group relative to the HC were found in the putamen, orbitofrontal cortex, secondary somatosensory cortex, brainstem, and thalamus. Moreover, these brain regions exhibited longitudinal ReHo changes at the 6-week follow-up examination. These headache activity changes were accompanied by disproportionately dysfunctional connectivity in the putamen in the migraine patients, as revealed by functional connectivity analysis, suggesting that the putamen plays an important role in integrating diverse information among other migraine-related brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study suggest that progressive brain aberrations in migraine progress as a result of increased headache attacks.
Brain Stem ; Brain* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Migraine Disorders* ; Putamen ; Somatosensory Cortex ; Thalamus

Objective To investigate the characteristic of regional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the brain of adolescents with online game addiction during the resting state.Methods The ALFF method was employed to explore the local features of spontaneous brain activity in adolescents with online game addiction (n =26) and healthy controls (n =23) during resting-state by Resting-State fMRI Data Analysis Toolkit.Results Compared with healthy controls,adolescents with online game addiction showed increased ALFF values in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC),left middle cingulate cortex (MCC),bilateral caudate,right pallidum,bilateral parahippocampal gyrus,and right insula.It was noteworthy that the ALFF values of the right caudate (r =0.4437,P =0.0232) and right parabippocampal gyrus (r =0.5227,P =0.0062) were positively correlated with the duration of online game addiction.Conclusion The abnormal spontaneous neuronal activity properties during the resting state were revealed in the brain regions of adolescents with online game addiction.And the abnormalities may become more significant as the disease progresses.