This article reported a case of a newborn with congenital absence of the penis. The prenatal examinations were unremarkable. Physical examination of the newborn revealed abnormal external genitalia, with well-developed scrotum and fully descended testicle in normal size, but without the penis. Postnatal ultrasound showed no obvious signals of uterus and ovaries in pelvis and had normal bilateral testicles and urinary system. The diagnosis was congenital absence of the penis.

Objective To screen for differentially expressed apoptosis-related circular RNAs(circRNAs)in osteoblasts from steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH)and to investigate their roles and mechanisms in osteoblast apoptosis.Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured and divided into two groups:Control and DEX-treated.Western blot analysis was employed to evaluate the expression levels of BCL2-Associated X protein(Bax)and B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2).Cell apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining and flow cytometry.RNA was extracted from both normal and DEX-treated MC3T3-E1 cells,followed by RNA-seq to identify differen-tially expressed circular RNAs(circRNAs).The functions and pathways of these circRNAs were analyzed using Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG).The differentially expressed mmu_circ_0000818 was selected for further verification at the cellular level.Its chromosomal location and conservation were examined using the UCSC Genome Browser Gateway and circBase.Overexpression plasmids and small interfering RNAs(siRNAs)targeting mmu_circ_0000818 were constructed and transfected into the cells.Subsequently,apop-tosis in MC3T3-E1 cells from each group was evaluated by flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate of MC3T3-E1 cells was significantly increased in the DEX group(P<0.01).Differen-tially expressed circRNAs were identified based on log2foldchange(≥2)and P value(P<0.05).Relative to the control group,there were 234 differentially expressed circRNAs in the DEX group,including 138 up-regulated and 96 down-regulated circRNAs.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the target genes of these differentially expressed circRNAs revealed significant associations with apoptosis and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression level of mmu_circ_0000818 was markedly higher in the DEX group com-pared to the control group(P<0.01).Analysis using the UCSC Genome Browser and CircBase indicated that mmu_circ_0000818,located at chromosome 17:78712463-78715086,is formed by the cyclization of exons 6-7 of the Crim1 gene and exhibits high conservation across species.Flow cytometry results indicated that knockdown of mmu_circ_0000818 attenuated DEX-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells,while overexpression of mmu_circ_0000818 exacerbated apoptosis.Conclusions CircRNA mmu_circ_0000818 was significantly upregulated in DEX-treated MC3T3-E1 cells,and its downregulation mitigated DEX-induced apoptosis.Consequently,mmu_circ_0000818 may represent a promising therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of SONFH.

This article reported a case of a newborn with congenital absence of the penis. The prenatal examinations were unremarkable. Physical examination of the newborn revealed abnormal external genitalia, with well-developed scrotum and fully descended testicle in normal size, but without the penis. Postnatal ultrasound showed no obvious signals of uterus and ovaries in pelvis and had normal bilateral testicles and urinary system. The diagnosis was congenital absence of the penis.

Objective To screen for differentially expressed apoptosis-related circular RNAs(circRNAs)in osteoblasts from steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH)and to investigate their roles and mechanisms in osteoblast apoptosis.Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured and divided into two groups:Control and DEX-treated.Western blot analysis was employed to evaluate the expression levels of BCL2-Associated X protein(Bax)and B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2).Cell apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining and flow cytometry.RNA was extracted from both normal and DEX-treated MC3T3-E1 cells,followed by RNA-seq to identify differen-tially expressed circular RNAs(circRNAs).The functions and pathways of these circRNAs were analyzed using Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG).The differentially expressed mmu_circ_0000818 was selected for further verification at the cellular level.Its chromosomal location and conservation were examined using the UCSC Genome Browser Gateway and circBase.Overexpression plasmids and small interfering RNAs(siRNAs)targeting mmu_circ_0000818 were constructed and transfected into the cells.Subsequently,apop-tosis in MC3T3-E1 cells from each group was evaluated by flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate of MC3T3-E1 cells was significantly increased in the DEX group(P<0.01).Differen-tially expressed circRNAs were identified based on log2foldchange(≥2)and P value(P<0.05).Relative to the control group,there were 234 differentially expressed circRNAs in the DEX group,including 138 up-regulated and 96 down-regulated circRNAs.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the target genes of these differentially expressed circRNAs revealed significant associations with apoptosis and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression level of mmu_circ_0000818 was markedly higher in the DEX group com-pared to the control group(P<0.01).Analysis using the UCSC Genome Browser and CircBase indicated that mmu_circ_0000818,located at chromosome 17:78712463-78715086,is formed by the cyclization of exons 6-7 of the Crim1 gene and exhibits high conservation across species.Flow cytometry results indicated that knockdown of mmu_circ_0000818 attenuated DEX-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells,while overexpression of mmu_circ_0000818 exacerbated apoptosis.Conclusions CircRNA mmu_circ_0000818 was significantly upregulated in DEX-treated MC3T3-E1 cells,and its downregulation mitigated DEX-induced apoptosis.Consequently,mmu_circ_0000818 may represent a promising therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of SONFH.

BACKGROUND:Ischemic postconditioning is one of the effective ways to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and has been more and more widely used in clinical practice in recent years,but its specific molecular mechanism has yet to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role and mechanism of piRNA-005854 in the aging cardiomyocytes caused by hypoxic postconditioning. METHODS:In vitro,cardiomyocytes were administered 8 mg/mL D-galactose for 9 days to induce their aging.β-Galactosidase staining was used to observe the aging of cardiomyocytes.Senescent cells were treated with hypoxia/reoxygenation and hypoxic postconditioning.ELISA was utilized to detect changes in myocardial injury markers creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels.Western blot assay was applied to detect the expression changes of autophagy-related proteins LC3II,p62,ULK1 and phosphorylated ULK1 in aging cardiomyocytes.qRT-PCR was employed to determine the expression level of piRNA-005854.piRNA-005854 inhibitor and piRNA-005854 mimics were transferred into aging cardiomyocytes and followed with hypoxic postconditioning.Western blot assay was used to examine the expression of LC3II,p62,ULK1 and phosphorylated ULK1. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)D-galactose induced obvious senescence of cardiomyocytes 9 days later.(2)Compared with the normoxia group,creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels increased in the hypoxia/reoxygenation group(P<0.01);LC3 II/I expression was increased;p62 expression was decreased;ULK1 phosphorylation level was increased,and piRNA-005854 expression was increased(P<0.01).(3)Compared with the hypoxia/reoxygenation group,creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly reduced in the hypoxic postconditioning group(P<0.01);LC3 II/I expression significantly decreased(P<0.05);p62 expression increased(P<0.01);ULK1 phosphorylation level decreased(P<0.05),and piRNA-005854 expression decreased(P<0.01).(4)After transfection of piRNA-005854 inhibitor,LC3II/I expression was decreased(P<0.01);the expression of p62 was increased significantly(P<0.05);the phosphorylation level of ULK1 was decreased significantly(P<0.01).After transfection of piRNA-005854 mimics,LC3II/I expression was increased significantly;the expression of p62 was decreased,and the phosphorylation level of ULK1 was increased significantly(P<0.01).(5)The results show that piRNA-005854-mediated reduction of ULK1-dependent autophagy level is a possible mechanism that hypoxic postconditioning exerts its protective effect on aging cardiomyocytes.

【Objective】 To analyze the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection data of blood donors from 18 domestic blood stations, so as to investigate the HBV infection situation of blood donors. 【Methods】 The positive rate of HBV and its distribution characteristics of regions, the percentage of HBsAg+ ELISA in first-time vs repeated blood donors, and the percentage of HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors of 18 domestic blood stations during 2017 to 2020 were collected from the Working Platform for Practice Comparison of Blood Centers, and the HBV infection among blood donors were statistically analyzed. 【Results】 From 2017 to 2020, the positive rate of HBV in blood donors among 18 domestic blood stations was 13.48/10 000-144.02/10 000, with the average HBV positive rate in eastern, central and western region at 26.14/10 000, 51.98/10 000 and 41.00/10 000, respectively. The HBsAg+ rate by ELISA among first-time and repeated blood donors was 14.55/10 000-305.39/10 000 vs 1.04/10 000-87.43/10 000 The HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ yield was 1.80/10 000-35.31/10 000. 【Conclusion】 The distribution of HBV infection in blood donors has regional characteristics, and HBV prevalence was low in repeated blood donors. HBsAg ELISA combined with HBV DNA detection can better ensure blood safety.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and its trends of other infectious diarrhea diseases in infants in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods: Statistical analysis was conducted on other infectious diarrhea cases of infants in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from China Information System for Disease Prevention and Control from 2005 to 2016. The main methods were descriptive epidemiology for population, area and time distribution of these registered cases in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The trends were analyzed by the ratio of fixed base and ring base. Area map method was used for regional differences. Results: From 2005 to 2016, 17 760 other infectious diarrhea diseases of infants were reported in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, accounting for 58% of the total reported cases. The cases number and incidence showed an overall upward trend. After 2011, the growth rate of case reports and incidences slowed down relatively. The peak of the incidence was in July and August (4 739 cases), accounting for 27% of cases of the whole year. Seventy-three point forty-four percent of the cases were located in Hulunbeier City (5 161 cases, 29.06%), Hohhot City (4 465 cases, 25.14%) and Baotou City (3 417 cases, 19.24%) . Except for Wuhai City, the remaining 11 cities showed increased incidence of other infectious diarrhea diseases in infants. The ratio of male to female was 1.55∶1, and the incidence in males was higher than that in females every year. Twelve-month-old (5 800 cases, 33%) had the greatest proportion. Clinical diagnosis (56.26%) and confirmed diagnosis (43.51%) were the main categories, but the rate of pathogen labeling was only 7.60%. Conclusions After 2011, the incidence of other infectious diarrhea diseases of infants in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have slowed down relatively. However, the incidence has significant time, region and population aggregation.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in pediatric patients. Methods: Sixty pediatric patients of both sexes with hydronephrosis, aged 3-12 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty from March 2018 to April 2019, were divided into 2 groups using a random number table method: control group (group C, n=28) and ERAS group (n=32). In ERAS group, preoperative ERAS education was carried out, the time of preoperative food and water deprivation was shortened, pediatric patients drank glucose water at 2 h before surgery, anesthetic regimen was optimized, lung protective ventilation and target-directed fluid therapy were performed, and intraoperative warming and multi-mode antiemetic measures were carried out during operation, and multi-mode analgesic measures were taken after operation, and pediatric patients received water and food intake early through the mouth and got out of bed as soon as possible after operation.In group C, the traditional concept was adopted for perioperative management.Immediately after tracheal intubation, at 30 min and 1 and 2 h after establishing pneumoperitoneum, at 5 min after the end of pneumoperitoneum and at 5 min after extubation, the airway peak pressure and tidal volume were recorded, and blood gas analysis was performed.The occurrence of cardiovascular events was recorded during surgery.The postoperative time of extubation, time of first intake, the first postoperative off-bed time, the first flatus time, time of pulling out the ureter and drainage tube, and length of hospital stay were recorded.The Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale was used to assess the agitation during the recovery period.The Faces Pain Scale-Revised scale was used to assess the degree of pain within 72 h after surgery.When Faces Pain Scale-Revised scale score ≥4, fentanyl 0.25 μg/kg was intravenously injected as rescue analgesic.The requirement for rescue analgesia was recorded.The overall complications were evaluated by using Clavin-Dindo grading, and postoperative complications included nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, incision infection, abdominal infection, anastomotic leakage, fever, etc. Results: Compared with group C, the preoperative food and water deprivation time was significantly shortened, the time of postoperative extubation was prolonged, the postoperative length of hospital stay, time of first intake, the first postoperative off-bed time, the first flatus time, and time of pulling out the ureter were shortened, airway peak pressure was decreased at 1 and 2 h of pneumoperitoneum, arterial blood lactate concentrations were decreased at each time point of pneumoperitoneum (P<0.05 or 0.01), and no significant change was found in the incidence of postoperative agitation, nausea and vomiting, incision infection, abdominal infection or fever in group ERAS (P>0.05). No intraoperative adverse cardiovascular events were found, and no pediatric patients required rescue analgesia after operation in two groups. Conclusion ERAS can be safely and effectively used for the pediatric patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplast.

Objective To summarize the experience of patient positing,port placements setting and robot cart docking in pediatric robot-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract operations.Methods From March 2017 to December 2017,140 robot-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract procedures were performed in our institution,including 110 cases of pyeloplasty,15 upper pole heminephroureterectomy,12 simple nephrectomy and 3 adrenalectomy.There were 103 males and 37 females with a range age from 1 month to 18 years.The assistant surgeon was adjacent to the instrument nurse,and patients were placed in a supine position with 60°-80° inclination and keep the legs low to the body.Room setup and patient positioning were similar to the traditional laparoscopic surgery.Semi-hidden incision technique was used in 140 patients:the camera port was placed umbilicus,two additional arm ports (one 5 mm and one 8 mm) were placed under direct vision,the 8 mm arm port was placed on the line of a Pfannenstiel incision and the 5 mm arm port was placed below the Xiphoid along the midline.Finally,a 3 or 5 mm assistant port was placed approximately 3 cm lateral to the inferior arm port,the line of a Pfannenstiel incision.Results The average time was (11.5 ± 3.2) min (10.5-16.5 min) from skin incision to robot cart docking completed.All surgeries were successfully completed without open conversion.One patient required an additional assist port for severe adhesion after the previously open surgery,there was no injury to other viscera.Average operative time was (146.9 ± 48.7)min (78-259 min) and average post-operative hospitalization time was (5.7 ± 1.4) d(4-10 d),respectively.There was no visual scar on abdominal 6 weeks postoperatively,and all parents made comments about their satisfaction with the cosmetic appearance.All operations got complete success at a mean follow up of 6 (1-9) months.Conclusions A good room setup,patient positioning and the semi-hidden incision technique port placements are maintaining the safety of the patient,avoiding compression injuries,allowing maximum mobility of the robotic arms,and facilitating a smooth and efficient surgery,and improving post-operative recovery.