Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatitis B cirrhosis in order to provide a basis for the diagnosis of cryptogenic cirrhosis.Methods:A retrospective study was performed. The clinical data of inpatients with cryptogenic cirrhosis from 2010 to 2020 were collected from Peking University First Hospital. The clinical baseline data were analyzed. Patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis hospitalized during the same period were used as the control group, and 1:1 matching was performed according to the age range (±5 years) and the same year of admission. The basic clinical data between the groups were analyzed. The t-test, X2-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparison.Results:A total of 232 cases with cryptogenic cirrhosis were collected. A total of 207 cases were collected after excluding cases with missing data, including 95 males (45.9%) and 112 females (54.1%), with a median age of 66 (57-76) years. A total of 182 pairs were matched according to the matching criteria for the control study. Compared with the hepatitis B cirrhosis group, the patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis had higher blood triglycerides (0.89 mmol/L vs. 0.80 mmol/L, P=0.002)and total cholesterol (3.73 mmol/L vs. 3.55 mmol/L, P=0.048), alanine transaminase (21.0 U/L vs. 24.5 U/L, P=0.003) and aspartate transaminase (29.5 U/L vs. 33.0 U/L, P=0.008) were lower, the prothrombin time was shorter (12.4 s vs. 13.0 s, P=0.003), and the INR was lower (1.18 vs. 1.21, P=0.015) with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). The proportion of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis combined with hepatocellular carcinoma (15.9% vs. 35.7%, P<0.001), hepatic encephalopathy (2.7% vs. 7.7%, P=0.034), and hepatorenal syndrome (1.6% vs. 5.5%, P=0.048),were relatively low, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Cryptogenic cirrhosis at our hospital may be associated with metabolic syndrome and cannot be excluded as a cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in some of these patients.

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatitis B cirrhosis in order to provide a basis for the diagnosis of cryptogenic cirrhosis.Methods:A retrospective study was performed. The clinical data of inpatients with cryptogenic cirrhosis from 2010 to 2020 were collected from Peking University First Hospital. The clinical baseline data were analyzed. Patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis hospitalized during the same period were used as the control group, and 1:1 matching was performed according to the age range (±5 years) and the same year of admission. The basic clinical data between the groups were analyzed. The t-test, X2-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparison.Results:A total of 232 cases with cryptogenic cirrhosis were collected. A total of 207 cases were collected after excluding cases with missing data, including 95 males (45.9%) and 112 females (54.1%), with a median age of 66 (57-76) years. A total of 182 pairs were matched according to the matching criteria for the control study. Compared with the hepatitis B cirrhosis group, the patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis had higher blood triglycerides (0.89 mmol/L vs. 0.80 mmol/L, P=0.002)and total cholesterol (3.73 mmol/L vs. 3.55 mmol/L, P=0.048), alanine transaminase (21.0 U/L vs. 24.5 U/L, P=0.003) and aspartate transaminase (29.5 U/L vs. 33.0 U/L, P=0.008) were lower, the prothrombin time was shorter (12.4 s vs. 13.0 s, P=0.003), and the INR was lower (1.18 vs. 1.21, P=0.015) with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). The proportion of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis combined with hepatocellular carcinoma (15.9% vs. 35.7%, P<0.001), hepatic encephalopathy (2.7% vs. 7.7%, P=0.034), and hepatorenal syndrome (1.6% vs. 5.5%, P=0.048),were relatively low, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Cryptogenic cirrhosis at our hospital may be associated with metabolic syndrome and cannot be excluded as a cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in some of these patients.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for the lateral condyle fracture of the humerus concomitant with fractures of ulna olecranon and coronoid (triple fracture) in children.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 584 children who had been hospitalized for lateral condyle fracture of the humerus from January 2012 to December 2022 at Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. There were 392 males and 192 females with an age of 60.5 (43.0, 86.0) months, and 327 left and 257 right sides affected. There were 546 cases of simple lateral condyle fracture of the humerus (simple group) and 38 cases of triple lateral condyle fracture of the humerus (triple group). The treatment methods for the triple group were recorded, and the elbow function of the children in the triple group was assessed using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) at the last follow-up. First, a univariate analysis was conducted of the gender, side profile, surgical age, height, weight, and distribution of the Jacob and Milch types of the lateral condyle of the humerus in the 2 groups. Next, the P<0.1 factors screened were further analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression to determine the final variables. Results:All the fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus were treated by internal fixation with Kirschner wires after closed or open reduction. The 38 patients in the triple group were followed up for 15.0 (13.0, 21.3) months after surgery. There were no such serious complications as bone nonunion, malunion, ischemic necrosis, cubitus valgus, or delayed ulnar nerve paralysis. At the last follow-up, the MEPS score was 97.5 (95.0, 100.0) points. The univariate analysis showed that surgical age ( P=0.087), Jacob type ( P=0.044) and Milch type ( P<0.001) were the risk factors for a triple fracture. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Milch type Ⅰ was an independent risk factor for a triple fracture ( OR=25.764, 95% CI: 11.645 to 57.001, P<0.001). Conclusion:Milch type Ⅰ is an independent risk factor for a triple fracture of lateral condyle fracture of the humerus in children.

Managing cirrhosis complications is an important measure for improving patients' clinical outcomes. Therefore, in order to provide a complete disease assessment and comprehensive treatment, improve quality of life, and improve the prognosis for patients with cirrhosis, it is necessary to pay attention to complications such as thrombocytopenia and portal vein thrombosis in addition to common or severe complications such as ascites, esophagogastric variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatorenal syndrome. The relevant concept that an effective albumin concentration is more helpful in predicting the cirrhosis outcome is gradually being accepted; however, the detection method still needs further standardization and commercialization.

Objective:To explore the related factors of thrombocytopenia (TCP) occurrence in patients with cirrhosis.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Inpatients with an initial diagnosis of cirrhosis at Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020 were included. Clinical data such as demographic characteristics, etiology of cirrhosis, complications of cirrhosis, laboratory indicators, Child-Pugh grade, invasive procedures, and mortality during hospitalization were collected. A logistic regression model was used to explore the related factors of TCP occurrence in patients with cirrhosis. Categorical variables were compared by the χ2 test. The inter-group comparison was performed using continuous variables, a t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), or a nonparametric test. Results:There were a total of 2 592 cases of cirrhosis. 75 cases with incomplete clinical data were excluded. 2 517 cases were included for analysis. The median age was 58 (50, 67) years. Males accounted for 64%. 1 435 cases (57.0%) developed TCP, and 434 cases (17.2%) had grade 3-4 TCP. Gender, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and concomitant esophagogastric varices (EGV) were the major factors associated with TCP. Females were more prone to combine with TCP ( OR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.12-1.56, P=0.001). Patients combined with EGV ( OR=3.09, 95% CI: 2.63-3.65, P<0.001) were more prone to develop TCP, which was associated with the increased incidence of hypersplenism ( P<0.001). Patients with PBC ( OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.50-0.82, P<0.001) and PSC ( OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.65, P=0.010) were less prone to develop TCP, which was due to the shorter prothrombin time and better coagulation function of PBC patients ( P<0.001), and the lower proportion of hypersplenism in combined PSC patients ( P=0.004). Patients with TCP and grade 3-4 TCP had a higher rate of hemostatic procedures ( P<0.05), but a lower rate of liver biopsy ( P<0.05). Patients with grade 3-4 TCP had a higher nosocomial mortality rate compared to those without ( P=0.004). Conclusion:TCP is common in patients with cirrhosis. However, TCP occurrence is higher in female patients with EGV and lower in patients combined with PBC and PSC. TCP affects invasive procedures and is associated with adverse outcomes.

Objective:To understand the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis, so as to provide theoretical basis for disease diagnosis and treatment, formulation of intervention measures, and improve the level of disease diagnosis and treatment.Methods:Hospitalized patients who were initially diagnosed with liver cirrhosis at Peking University First Hospital from August 2017 to December 2018 were selected retrospectively as the research objects. Liver cirrhosis demographic data, etiology, severity classification, incidence of complications, diagnosis and prognosis were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.Results:Among all liver cirrhosis cases, there were 291 males and 209 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1 and an age of 59.5±12.9 years as at August 2017 to December 2018. HBV infection, alcoholic liver disease, and autoimmune liver diseases were the most common etiology of liver cirrhosis. HBV infection alone, HBV infection combined with other factors, alcoholic liver disease alone, alcoholic liver disease combined with other factors, autoimmune liver disease alone, and autoimmune liver disease combined with other factors were presented in 163 (32.6%), 57 (11.4%), 47 (9.4%), 63 (12.6%), 85 (17.0%), and 22 (4.4.0%) cases, respectively. Ascites (221 cases, 44.2%), followed by esophagogastric varices (214 cases, 42.8%), and other including hypersplenism (137 cases), liver cancer (126 cases), upper digestive system tract hemorrhage (66 cases), hepatic encephalopathy (40 cases), infection (37 cases), portal vein thrombosis (23 cases), hepatorenal syndrome (20 cases) were the most common complications. The most common site of infection was the abdominal cavity (20 cases), accounting for 54.1%; followed by respiratory tract infection (8 cases), accounting for 21.6% in patients with liver cirrhosis with concurrent infection. Among them, there were 32 cases of bacterial infection alone, one case of bacterial infection combined with fungal infection, one case of bacterial infection combined with viral infection, and three cases of unknown pathogens. There were 69 cases in Child Pugh grade C, and the average hospitalization times were 12.6 days in terms of prognosis. There were total seven cases of death, of which five cases were due to upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and two due to hepatic encephalopathy.Conclusion:HBV infection, ascites, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were the most common etiologies, complications, and causes of death in patients with liver cirrhosis at our hospital.

Patients with chronic (hepatitis B virus,HBV) infection can be divided into immunotolerant, immunoclearance (HBeAg-positive, immune-active), immunocontrol (inactive), and reactivation (HBeAg-negative, immune-active) phases according to HBV serological markers, HBV DNA, alanine aminotransferase, and liver pathology results. Chronic HBV infection is considered indeterminate when the above four phasing criteria are not met. The Chinese "Guidelines" recommend antiviral B treatment for chronic HBV-infected patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels after excluding other potential causes. As a result, patients with chronic HBV infection in the immunoclearance and reactivation phases are included in the indication population for antiviral therapy, and the expanded indications are mainly for other infected individuals beyond these two phases: immunotolerant, immunocontrol, and indeterminate. Antiviral therapy may benefit individuals in an indeterminate phase, because they are at a relatively high risk of disease progression.

Objective:To analyze the effectiveness of antiviral therapy on adolescents and adults with infectious mononucleosis (IM).Methods:The clinical data of patients aged≥16 years old with IM who were hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, and the patients were divided into antiviral treatment group and non-antiviral treatment group. The duration of hospitalization day, fever duration, ratio of lymphocytes and duration for normalization of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) markers were compared between the two groups through single factor and propensity score matching analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted by independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method. Results:A total of 274 cases were enrolled and 176 cases (64.23%) were divided into antiviral treatment group and 98 cases (35.77%) into non-antiviral treatment group. The proportion of male (56.25%(99/176) vs 56.12%(55/98)), age (21.0(18.0, 26.0) years old vs 21.0(18.0, 27.0) years old), the ratio of fever (98.30%(173/176) vs 93.88%(92/98)), sore throat (90.34%(159/176) vs 88.78%(87/98)), lymphocyte ratio (0.648(0.568, 0.707) vs 0.663(0.581, 0.711)), atypical lymphocyte ratio (0.150(0.100, 0.235) vs 0.135(0.060, 0.250)) and serum EBV DNA level (2.71(2.70, 3.47) lg copies/mL vs 2.70(2.70, 3.28) lg copies/mL) were comparable between two groups at admission, and the differences were all not statistically significant(all P>0.05). The durations of hospitalization and fever in antiviral treatment group were 14.0(10.0, 18.0) d and (14.91±7.24) d, respectively, which were both significantly longer than those in non-antiviral treatment group (11.0(7.0, 15.0) d and (9.95±5.67) d, respectively). The differences were both statistically significant ( Z=-3.294 and t=-5.035, respectively, both P<0.01). Twenty-six patients each in the antiviral treatment group and non-antiviral treatment group were included in the propensity score matching assessment. The fever days of the two groups were 15.0(10.0, 18.0) d and 7.5(5.0, 12.5) d, respectively, and the hospitalization days were (15.4±5.5) d and (12.0±5.7) d, respectively. The differences were both statistically significant ( Z=-3.781 and t=-2.187, respectively, both P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the time required for the ratio of lymphocytes returning to normal, the time required for the ratio of atypical lymphocytes decreasing to <0.100, and the time required for serum EBV DNA becoming negative(all P>0.05). Conclusion:The antiviral treatment could not improve the prognosis of adolescent and adult IM patients.