Objective:To explore the clinical feature and genetic variation of NPHS1 variant-associated nephropathy ( NPHS1-VAN) in Chinese patients. Methods:This study was a case-series analysis. Patients with NPHS1-VAN, who were treated and/or followed in the Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University between 2018 and 2023 were recruited into this study. Genotype, phenotype and their relationship were analyzed. Results:Nine NPHS1-VAN patients from 8 non-consanguineous Chinese families were collected, including 5 males and 4 females. There were 7 cases with an onset age within 3 months and 2 cases with an onset age of 6 months and 13 years, respectively. Seven patients harbored compound heterozygous variants, two had homozygous variants, including 8 missense variations,3 frameshift variants, and 1 splicing site variant. Four patients in 3 families harbored missense variant c.928G>A, two of them experienced spontaneous remission of proteinuria at the age of 1 year and 2 years, respectively, another one had persistent proteinuria and entered end stage renal disease (ESRD) at 11 years old. The other one had an onset age of 6 months with no response to steroids initially. She got complete remission by tacrolimus administered, but relapse frequently and partially responded to steroids later. Two patients of this group died, one of them died of respiratory failure 3 days after birth. Excessive amniotic fluid and fetal edema were acknowledged at 28 weeks of gestational age. He harbored compound heterozygous variants of NPHS1, c.1135C>G (R379G) and c.1339G>A (E447K). His mother previously experienced fetal death at 28 weeks gestational age for her first pregnant and stillborn at 36 weeks of gestational age for her second pregnant, respectively. One patient in this study who harbored homozygous variant of c.1339G>A (E447K) presented with a mild phenotype, onset age was 13 years old and didn't progress to ESRD yet at 21 years. Thus, variant E447K was hypothesized to be weakly pathogenic, while R379G may be strongly pathogenic with a risk of death. Five novel variants were identified in this group of patients, 3 missense variants (c.1135C>G, c.1157A>T, c.3197T>A) and 2 frameshift variants (c.709_710delCT, c.3193delG). Renal biopsy was performed in 4 cases, of whom two were focal segmental glomerular sclerosis and another two were minimal change disease. Conclusions:NPHS1-VAN possesses remarkable clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Five novel variants were identified. Missense variant is the most common variant type and c.928G>A is the most common one in this group of patients, in consistent with previous report in China. Children harbor c.928G>A may have a mild phenotype with possible spontaneous remission and may be response to steroids and calcineurin inhibitor. Variant c.1135C>G (R379G) may have a strong pathogenicity, and patient who harbors this variant may have a severe phenotype.

Joubert syndrome is a rare primary ciliopathy characterized by hypoplasia of the midbrain and vermis cerebellum, with or without extracerebral organs involvement. This article reports a case of Joubert syndrome with RPGRIP1L mutation, presented with anemia, renal dysfunction, growth retardation, and mental retardation. The patient reached end-stage renal disease at the age of 13 years old. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed slight elongation of the superior cerebellar peduncles, mild hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, and the characteristic "molar tooth sign". Elevated transaminase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were detected at the age of 14 years old. Genetic analysis showed a compound heterozygous mutation in the RPGRIP1L gene (c.1290_1291delGT, c.3764T>C). Joubert syndrome is a clinically heterogeneous disorder and easy to be missed. Early diagnosis and standard treatment contribute to a better prognosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical feature and genetic variation of NPHS1 variant-associated nephropathy ( NPHS1-VAN) in Chinese patients. Methods:This study was a case-series analysis. Patients with NPHS1-VAN, who were treated and/or followed in the Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University between 2018 and 2023 were recruited into this study. Genotype, phenotype and their relationship were analyzed. Results:Nine NPHS1-VAN patients from 8 non-consanguineous Chinese families were collected, including 5 males and 4 females. There were 7 cases with an onset age within 3 months and 2 cases with an onset age of 6 months and 13 years, respectively. Seven patients harbored compound heterozygous variants, two had homozygous variants, including 8 missense variations,3 frameshift variants, and 1 splicing site variant. Four patients in 3 families harbored missense variant c.928G>A, two of them experienced spontaneous remission of proteinuria at the age of 1 year and 2 years, respectively, another one had persistent proteinuria and entered end stage renal disease (ESRD) at 11 years old. The other one had an onset age of 6 months with no response to steroids initially. She got complete remission by tacrolimus administered, but relapse frequently and partially responded to steroids later. Two patients of this group died, one of them died of respiratory failure 3 days after birth. Excessive amniotic fluid and fetal edema were acknowledged at 28 weeks of gestational age. He harbored compound heterozygous variants of NPHS1, c.1135C>G (R379G) and c.1339G>A (E447K). His mother previously experienced fetal death at 28 weeks gestational age for her first pregnant and stillborn at 36 weeks of gestational age for her second pregnant, respectively. One patient in this study who harbored homozygous variant of c.1339G>A (E447K) presented with a mild phenotype, onset age was 13 years old and didn't progress to ESRD yet at 21 years. Thus, variant E447K was hypothesized to be weakly pathogenic, while R379G may be strongly pathogenic with a risk of death. Five novel variants were identified in this group of patients, 3 missense variants (c.1135C>G, c.1157A>T, c.3197T>A) and 2 frameshift variants (c.709_710delCT, c.3193delG). Renal biopsy was performed in 4 cases, of whom two were focal segmental glomerular sclerosis and another two were minimal change disease. Conclusions:NPHS1-VAN possesses remarkable clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Five novel variants were identified. Missense variant is the most common variant type and c.928G>A is the most common one in this group of patients, in consistent with previous report in China. Children harbor c.928G>A may have a mild phenotype with possible spontaneous remission and may be response to steroids and calcineurin inhibitor. Variant c.1135C>G (R379G) may have a strong pathogenicity, and patient who harbors this variant may have a severe phenotype.

Joubert syndrome is a rare primary ciliopathy characterized by hypoplasia of the midbrain and vermis cerebellum, with or without extracerebral organs involvement. This article reports a case of Joubert syndrome with RPGRIP1L mutation, presented with anemia, renal dysfunction, growth retardation, and mental retardation. The patient reached end-stage renal disease at the age of 13 years old. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed slight elongation of the superior cerebellar peduncles, mild hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, and the characteristic "molar tooth sign". Elevated transaminase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were detected at the age of 14 years old. Genetic analysis showed a compound heterozygous mutation in the RPGRIP1L gene (c.1290_1291delGT, c.3764T>C). Joubert syndrome is a clinically heterogeneous disorder and easy to be missed. Early diagnosis and standard treatment contribute to a better prognosis.

Objective To explore the activation of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)signaling pathway and the expressions of the associated inflammatory factors in NPHP1-defective renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods A human proximal renal tubular cell(HK2)model of lentivirus-mediated NPHP1 knockdown(NPHP1KD)was constructed,and the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors CXCL5,CCL20,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1 were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A small interfering RNA(siRNA)was transfected in wild-type and NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and the changes in the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors were examined.Results NPHP1KDHK2 cells showed significantly increased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,C/EBPβ,CXCL5,IL-1β,and IL-6(P<0.05),protein expressions of phospho-p38 and C/EBPβ(P<0.05),and IL-6 level in the culture supernatant(P<0.05),and these changes were significantly blocked by transfection of cells with siRNA-C/EBPβ(P<0.05).Conclusion TNF-α signaling pathway is activated and its associated inflammatory factors are upregulated in NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and C/EBPβ may serve as a key transcription factor to mediate these changes.

Objective To explore the activation of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)signaling pathway and the expressions of the associated inflammatory factors in NPHP1-defective renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods A human proximal renal tubular cell(HK2)model of lentivirus-mediated NPHP1 knockdown(NPHP1KD)was constructed,and the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors CXCL5,CCL20,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1 were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A small interfering RNA(siRNA)was transfected in wild-type and NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and the changes in the expressions of TNF-α,p38,and C/EBPβ and the inflammatory factors were examined.Results NPHP1KDHK2 cells showed significantly increased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,C/EBPβ,CXCL5,IL-1β,and IL-6(P<0.05),protein expressions of phospho-p38 and C/EBPβ(P<0.05),and IL-6 level in the culture supernatant(P<0.05),and these changes were significantly blocked by transfection of cells with siRNA-C/EBPβ(P<0.05).Conclusion TNF-α signaling pathway is activated and its associated inflammatory factors are upregulated in NPHP1KDHK2 cells,and C/EBPβ may serve as a key transcription factor to mediate these changes.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous translumial septal myocardial ablation in dogs using laser and radiofrequency.Methods:Twelve healthy adult Beagle dogs (males or females) were randomly divided into two groups, namely, group laser and group radiofrequency (6 dogs each group). Under ultrasound guidance, laser fiber or radiofrequency ablation needle was respectively inserted into the basal and middle segments of the interventricular septa via the percutaneous transapical approach to perform ablation. The Beagle dogs received radiologic examination, laboratory tests and pathological detection before ablation, immediately after ablation, at 1 week after ablation, and at 1 month after ablation, respectively. The efficacy and safety of the two ablation procedures were compared.Results:All dogs survived after ablation. The peak gradient of LVOT decreased immediately after ablation using either laser or radiofrequency ( P<0.05), but it increased at 1 week after ablation than before ( P<0.05). At 1 month after ablation, no significant differences were found in the peak gradient of LVOT compared with that before surgery ( P<0.05). The interventricular septum thickness was increased immediately after ablation using either laser or radiofrequency than before ( P<0.05), but it decreased at 1 week and at 1 month after surgery than before ( P<0.05). The ablation zone using radiofrequency was slightly larger than that of using laser[(372.50±69.06)mm 3 vs (116.65±20.15)mm 3, P<0.001], and the surgical time of the former was significantly shorter than that of using laser [(56.00±3.22)s vs (260.00±65.39)s, P<0.05)]. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided percutaneous translumial septal myocardial ablation is feasible, safe and effective using either laser or radiofrequency. Comparatively speaking, radiofrequency ablation is more simple and convenient.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of Lowe syndrome, as well as OCRL1 gene mutation and its relationship with phenotype. Methods:Children diagnosed with Lowe syndrome during their visit to Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University (4 cases) and the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (3 cases) from January 2009 to January 2019 were included. The clinical data and peripheral blood samples were collected, and the sequence analysis of OCRL1 was performed after genomic DNA extraction. Then the clinical features of the children and the relationship between OCRL1 mutation and clinical phenotype were analyzed. Results:Seven patients from 6 families who presented with Lowe syndrome were included. All of them had different degrees of ocular-neural-renal symptoms. Six cases from 5 families had congenital cataract and neonatal hypotonia, one case from another family only had a thin lens without cataract. Four cases had nystagmus and 2 cases had glaucoma. Six cases from 6 families had psychomotor retardation and had proximal tubular impairment, included low-molecular-weight proteinuria (LMWP). Serum aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were increased in all 6 patients who were tested. Mutations of OCRL1 were detected in all the 6 families, which located in exon 10, 13, 16, 18, 22 and 23 respectively. The mutations of c.891 G>T, c.1682_1683insAA and c.2564_2567del are novel. Conclusions:Three OCRL1 novel mutations in 6 Chinese Lowe syndrome families are identified. The clinical manifestations in different mutations of OCRL1 are heterogeneous. The mutations of c.891 G>T in exon 10 without congenital cataract is rare in clinical.

Objective To explore the expression of zinc finger protein 217 (ZNF217) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its correlation with prognosis of patients. Methods A total of 120 NSCLC patients in Chongqing Three Gorges Central Hospital from January 2012 to October 2013 were selected. Immunohistochemical method was used to test the expression of ZNF217 in NSCLC tissues and paracancerous tissues. The correlation of ZNF217 expression with patient's clinicopathological features was analyzed. At the same time, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model multiple factor analysis method were used to explore the factors affecting the prognosis of patients after NSCLC radical operations. Results ZNF217 mainly existed in cell nucleus of NSCLC. The positive expression rate of ZNF217 in the cancer tissues was higher than that in the paracancerous tissues [52.5％ (63/120) vs. 20.1％ (25/120), χ 2 = 25.909, P < 0.05]. The positive expression rate of ZNF217 increased with the increase of tumor T stage (χ 2 = 7.333, P = 0.026), N stage (χ 2 = 7.782, P = 0.020) and TNM stage (χ 2 = 11.557, P = 0.003). The overall survival (P = 0.007) and progression-free survival (P = 0.004) of patients with positive ZNF217 were poorer than those of patients with negative ZNF217. Cox multiple factor analysis showed that ZNF217 was an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of NSCLC. Conclusion ZNF217 is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of NSCLC, and it may be a potential target for accurate treatment of NSCLC.

Objective To observe the protective effects of FTY720 on the Con A-induced mouse hepatic fibrosis injury,and to find the possible mechanisms of protective effects.Methods The pathologic models of hepatic fibrosis injury in the mice caused by Con A were set up.Forty mice were randomly divided into control group, model group,high dose of FTY720 (4 mg·kg-1 )group and low dose of FTY720 (1 mg·kg-1 )dose group (n=10).The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and asparate aminotransferase (AST)activities,hepatic index and pathological changes of hepatic tissue were detected .Results Compared with model group,the serum ALT and AST activities in low and high doses of FTY720 groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).The optical microscope results showed that there were inflammatory cells and hepatocellular necrosis in model group. The masson staining results showed that there were surrounding fiber bundle and hepatic lobule fusion in model group;compared with model group,the damage degree in low and high doses of FTY720 groups was reduced.The protective effects of FTY720 on hepatic injury showed linear relation to the drug dose.Conclusion FTY720 could decrease the levels of ALT/AST,thus FTY720 alleviate hepatic damage degree and delay the process of hepatic fibrosis.The protective effects of FTY720 on hepatic injury in experimental hepatic fibrosis mice may be related to the mechanisms mentioned above.