This study was conducted retrospectively on a cohort of 68 patients with steroid 5 α-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) deficiency and 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD). Whole-exon sequencing revealed 28 variants of SRD5A2 , and further analysis identified seven novel mutants. The preponderance of variants was observed in exon 1 and exon 4, specifically within the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-binding region. Among the entire cohort, 53 patients underwent initial surgery at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (Chengdu, China). The external genitalia scores (EGS) of these participants varied from 2.0 to 11.0, with a mean of 6.8 (standard deviation [s.d.]: 2.5). Thirty patients consented to hormone testing. Their average testosterone-to-dihydrotestosterone (T/DHT) ratio was 49.3 (s.d.: 23.4). Genetic testing identified four patients with EGS scores between 6 and 9 as having this syndrome; and their T/DHT ratios were below the diagnostic threshold. Furthermore, assessments conducted using the crystal structure of human SRD5A2 have provided insights into the potential pathogenic mechanisms of these novel variants. These mechanisms include interference with NADPH binding (c.356G>C, c.365A>G, c.492C>G, and c.662T>G) and destabilization of the protein structure (c.727C>T). The c.446-1G>T and c.380delG variants were verified to result in large alterations in the transcripts. Seven novel variations were identified, and the variant database for the SRD5A2 gene was expanded. These findings contribute to the progress of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for individuals with SRD5A2 deficiency.
Humans ; 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY/blood* ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Female ; Mutation ; Testosterone/blood* ; Infant ; Dihydrotestosterone/blood*

The intelligent oxygen management system is a software designed with various algorithms to automatically titrate inhaled oxygen concentration according to specific patterns. This system can be integrated into various ventilator devices and used during assisted ventilation processes, aiming to maintain the patient's blood oxygen saturation within a target range. This paper employs a scoping review methodology, focusing on research related to intelligent oxygen management systems in neonatal intensive care units. It reviews the fundamental principles, application platforms, and clinical outcomes of these systems, providing a theoretical basis for clinical implementation.
Humans ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Infant, Newborn ; Oxygen/administration & dosage* ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/methods* ; Respiration, Artificial

The glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a critical target for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Activation of GCGR enhances systemic insulin sensitivity through paracrine stimulation of insulin secretion, presenting a promising avenue for treatment. However, the discovery of effective GCGR agonists remains a challenging and resource-intensive process, often requiring time-consuming wet-lab experiments to synthesize and screen potential compounds. Recent advances in artificial intelligence technologies have demonstrated great potential in accelerating drug discovery by streamlining screening and efficiently predicting bioactivity. In the present work, we propose DeepGCGR, a two-layer deep learning model that leverages graph convolutional networks (GCN) integrated with a multiple attention mechanism to expedite the identification of GCGR agonists. In the first layer, the model predicts the bioactivity of various compounds against GCGR, efficiently filtering large chemical libraries to identify promising candidates. In the second layer, DeepGCGR classifies high bioactive compounds based on their functional effects on GCGR signaling, identifying those with potential agonistic or antagonistic effects. Moreover, DeepGCGR was specifically applied to identify novel GCGR-regulating compounds for the treatment of T2DM from natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The proposed method will not only offer an effective strategy for discovering GCGR-targeting compounds with functional activation properties but also provide new insights into the development of T2DM therapeutics.
Deep Learning ; Drug Discovery/methods* ; Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that adding barium sulfate could improve the mechanical and radiopaque properties of calcium phosphate cement.However,with the degradation of calcium phosphate,the remaining radiopaque agent is difficult to degrade,and the space-occupying and osteoclast effects at the implantation site affect the bone repair process.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a new biodegradable radiopaque material. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the radiopaque ability of bioactive degradable material strontium polyphosphate(SrPP)and its impact on the physicochemical properties and osteogenic effect of calcium phosphate cement. METHODS:(1)Calcium phosphate cement(CPC),starch modified calcium phosphate cement(CPS)and starch modified calcium phosphate cement(20%SrPP-CPN)containing SrPP(20%mass fraction of bone cement powder)were prepared respectively,and the physicochemical properties of the three groups of bone cements were characterized.(2)The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,respectively,to detect cell proliferation,energy metabolism,and osteogenic differentiation.(3)Bone defects with a diameter of 5 mm were made on each side of the top of the skull of 24 SD rats,and they were randomly divided into control group(without any intervention),CPC group,CPS group,and 20%SrPP-CPN group for intervention,with 6 rats in each group.Relevant tests were performed after 4 and 12 weeks of intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the other two groups of bone cement,20%SrPP-CPN had enhanced radiopaque ability,increased compressive strength and degradation rate,and prolonged curing time,and 20%SrPP-CPN could release Sr2+ stably during degradation.(2)CCK-8 assay showed that 20%SrPP-CPN did not affect the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Cell starvation test(serum-free culture)showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.Compared with the other two groups of bone cements,20%SrPP-CPN increased adenosine triphosphate concentration in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.(3)In the rat skull defect experiment,Micro-CT scanning and histological observation(hematoxylin-eosin and Masson stainings)showed that bone cement in 20%SrPP-CPN group was significantly degraded compared with that in CPC and CPS groups,and a large number of new bone tissues were dispersed in degraded bone cement.Immunohistochemical staining showed that Runx2 protein expression was increased in 20%SrPP-CPN group compared with CPC group and CPS group(P＜0.01).(4)These results show that 20%SrPP-CPN has good radiopaque ability and osteogenic properties.

The online and offline hybrid teaching model of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is currently in the stage of development. Previous teaching focused on the teaching process in the classroom, and did not organically combine all the course contents before, during, and after class. The BOPPPS model can be used to establish coherence and integrity in the EBM teaching process. Considering the discipline characteristics and teaching objectives of EBM, this study initially explored and designed a BOPPPS-based online and offline hybrid teaching model. Taking the "diagnostic evidence" module as an example, the teaching implementation details were introduced. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to conduct baseline survey and follow-up survey on students before and after class to evaluate the teaching model and effect. The surveys showed that half of the students (77/154) preferred the new online and offline hybrid teaching model of EBM. The students found that all aspects of BOPPPS teaching were generally acceptable and satisfactory. Compared with before teaching, the students' proficiency in EBM was significantly improved after the teaching ( P<0.001), particularly in their ability to retrieve literature and evaluate the quality of evidence, which is of great significance for expanding their knowledge and clinical thinking.

OBJECTIVE To establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of 30 compounds(including antianginal drugs, anticoagulant, anti-platelet aggregators and anti-inflammatory analgesics) illegally added in Chinese patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. METHODS The sample was extracted by ultrasonication with 60% methanol. The analysis was performed on Phenomenex Kinetex C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.6 μm) with gradient elution using 0.1% formic acid solution and acetonitrile as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.3 mL·min–1, and the column temperature was 40 ℃. Mass spectrometry was collected using electrospray ionization (ESI), simultaneous scanning of positive and negative ions, and multiple reaction monitoring mode. RESULTS The linearity of the 30 compounds was good in the mass range examined, with the correlation coefficients all >0.999. The limits of detection of each compound ranged from 1.3 to 238.4 ng·g–1 and the average recoveries ranged from 63.7% to 108.2% with the RSDs of 1.0% to 6.7%. The method was used to test 90 batches of Shujin Huoxue tablets. Paracetamol was detected in 3 batches, while the rest of the compounds were not detected. The amount of paracetamol detected ranged from 0.16 to 0.93 μg per tablet, which was much lower than the minimum daily dose of the corresponding drug, excluding intentional addition. The probable explanation was the residues caused by incomplete cleaning validation of the enterprise’s collinear production. CONCLUSION This method is rapid, accurate, highly sensitive, and highly selective, and can be used for qualitative screening and quantitative determination of 30 chemical compounds illegally added in Chinese patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.

Patients with overlap syndrome(OS)of autoimmune liver disease may present with more than one biochemical,immunological,histological or cholangiography features of autoimmune liver disease(AILD)and often require a combination of immunosuppressants for treatment.Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a type of invasive pneumomycosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii and has a relatively high incidence rate in immunocompromised patients.This case report presents a patient with OS who was found to have pulmonary cryptococcosis during immunosuppressive therapy and developed abnormal liver function during antifungal treatment.Based on the liver function of the patient,the feasibility of adjusting antifungal agents was assessed,and active treatment strategies for novel cryptococcal infection were developed under the close monitoring of liver function,which helped to avoid the progression of infection.It is suggested that before the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy,systemic foci of infection should be comprehensively evaluated,and suspicious foci of infection should be monitored continuously.

Objective:To discuss the correlation between homocysteine(Hcy)and inflammatory responses as well as oxidative stress,and to analyze its role in the occurrence and development of acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods:Thirty-eight patients with their first incidence of AIS were selected as AIS group,and according to the principles of case-control study,45 healthy individuals undergwent routine health examination during the same period were selected as control group.The levels of homocysteine and inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-6,and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in serum of the subjects in two groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method;the level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)of the subjects in two groups was detected by immunoturbidimetry;the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in serum of the subjects in two groups were detected by chemical colorimetry;Pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum Hcy level and levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators of the AIS patients.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of Hcy,hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6,and MDA in serum of the patients in AIS group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the activity of SOD was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The level of Hcy in serum of the AIS patients was positively correlated with the levels of hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6,and MDA(r=0.615,P<0.05;r=0.632,P<0.05;r=0.598,P<0.05;r=0.612,P<0.05),and negatively correlated with the activity of SOD(r=-0.325,P<0.05).Conclusion:The Hcy level in serum of the AIS patients is closely associated with the inflammatory factors and oxidative damage.Hcy can promote the production of oxidative free radicals and inflammatory factors and cause damage to the endothelial cells and play a significant clinical role in the occurrence and development of AIS.

Objective To analyze the risk factors and clinical characteristics of uveitis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 30 children with JIA-associated uveitis (JIA-U )and 36 age-and gender-matched children diagnosed as simple JIA admitted to Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2016 to June 2023.The clinical data,laboratory indicators and radiological findings were collected,and analyzed for the risk factors for JIA-U with univariate and multivariate analysis.Results In this study,JIA-U mostly occurred in both eyes (63.3％,19/30),with anterior uveitis as the main cause (86.7％,26/30),insidious onset,and mostly occurred after JIA diagnosis (60.0％,18/30),and only 30％ showing ocular discomfort or visual impairment.Univariate analysis showed that the JIA children with oligoarthritis JIA,negative rheumatoid factor (RF)and negative anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)were prone to be complicated with uveitis (P<0.05 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that RF negativity was an independent risk factor for development of JIA-U (OR=5.400,95％ CI:1.033～28.227,P=0.046). Conclusion JIA-U of ten develops in both eyes,anterior uveitis is the most common,and it mostly diagnosed after JIA.It has no obvious eye symptoms in the early stage and thus is not easily recognized.Oligoarthritis JIA,RF-negative,and anti-CCP antibody-negative are the high-risk factors for the complication of JIA-U in children with JIA.

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease that causes the periodontal bone destruction and may ultimately result in tooth loss.With the progression of periodontitis,the osteoimmunology microenvironment in periodontitis is damaged and leads to the formation of pathological alveolar bone resorption.CD301b+macrophages are specific to the osteoimmunology microenvironment,and are emerging as vital booster for conducting bone regeneration.However,the key upstream targets of CD301b+macrophages and their potential mechanism in periodontitis remain elusive.In this study,we concentrated on the role of Tim4,a latent upstream regulator of CD301b+macrophages.We first demonstrated that the transcription level of Timd4(gene name of Tim4)in CD301b+macrophages was significantly upregulated compared to CD301b-macrophages via high-throughput RNA sequencing.Moreover,several Tim4-related functions such as apoptotic cell clearance,phagocytosis and engulfment were positively regulated by CD301b+macrophages.The single-cell RNA sequencing analysis subsequently discovered that Cd301b and Timd4 were specifically co-expressed in macrophages.The following flow cytometric analysis indicated that Tim4 positive expression rates in total macrophages shared highly synchronized dynamic changes with the proportions of CD301b+macrophages as periodontitis progressed.Furthermore,the deficiency of Tim4 in mice decreased CD301b+macrophages and eventually magnified alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis.Additionally,Tim4 controlled the p38 MAPK signaling pathway to ultimately mediate CD301b+macrophages phenotype.In a word,Tim4 might regulate CD301b+macrophages through p38 MAPK signaling pathway in periodontitis,which provided new insights into periodontitis immunoregulation as well as help to develop innovative therapeutic targets and treatment strategies for periodontitis.