OBJECTIVE: To analyze a Chinese pedigree affected with Non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness type 12 (NFNB12), validate the function of candidate variants, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A NFNB12 pedigree presented at Henan Provincial People's Hospital in February 2023 was selected as the study subject. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of the pedigree members. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the level of mRNA transcription in the peripheral blood samples from the pedigree members, and protein expression was evaluated with Western blotting assay. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2019-134). RESULTS: WES analysis revealed that the proband has harbored homozygous c.6688delG (p.Ala2230Profs*4) variant of the CDH23 gene, for which both parents were identified as heterozygous carriers. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the sole presence of the variant mRNA in the proband, and both the variant and wild-type mRNAs in both parents. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis indicated that the proband had exclusively expressed the truncated CDH23 protein, while both the normal and truncated forms of the protein were noted in her parents. CONCLUSION The c.6688delG (p.Ala2230Profs*4) variant of the CDH23 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of NFNB12 in this pedigree. The loss of function of the CDH23 gene resulting from this variant is not related with nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, but rather production of a truncated protein. Above finding has not only enriched the mutational spectrum of the CDH23 gene and offered a method for investigating the function of its variants using peripheral blood samples, but also delineated the molecular basis for the loss of function, which has provided crucial evidence for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this family.
Humans ; Pedigree ; Male ; Female ; Asian People/genetics* ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Deafness/genetics* ; Mutation ; China ; Adult ; Cadherin Related Proteins ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; East Asian People

Objective To measure and compare the cerebral blood flow(CBF)of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD),global developmental delay(GDD),and ASD with GDD groups via arterial spin labeling(ASL)technique,and to evaluate the diag-nostic value of CBF values.Methods ASL images of ASD,GDD,and ASD with GDD groups of children were firstly acquired,and the CBF values of frontal lobe,temporal lobe,parietal lobe,occipital lobe,striatum and thalamus region of interest(ROI)were fur-ther measured,respectively.One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the differences in CBF values among these three groups,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the efficacy of CBF values in distinguishing ASD with GDD from without GDD.Results ASD with GDD had significantly lower CBF values in the left and right frontal lobes than those with ASD or GDD alone,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The CBF values in the left and right frontal lobes effectively distinguished ASD with GDD from without GDD[area under the curve(AUC)>0.7].Conclusion ASL technique can noninvasively assess CBF in children with or without GDD,helping to understand the pathophysiology of ASD with GDD and improving diagnostic accuracy.

Objective To observe the difference and clinical significance of expression levels of microRNA-155(miR-155)mRNA and interleukin-6(IL-6)in very preterm neonates with preeclampsia.Methods Twenty-eight cases of very preterm newborns(gestational age<32 weeks and/or body weight<1500 g)from preeclampsia pregnant women admitted to the department of obstetrics of Liaocheng People's Hospital from January to December 2021 were selected as the observation group,and 26 cases of very preterm neonates hospitalized for other reasons during the same period were selected as the control group.Electronic medical record clinical data related to children were collected,and the differences between the two groups were compared,including general conditions of preterm infants and pregnant mothers(gender,gestational age,birth weight,preeclampsia or not),proportion of invasive ventilation,proportion of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD),incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)and early-onset sepsis,white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil count(NEUT),and expression of miR-155 mRNA and IL-6 levels in the serum of umbilical arterial blood after birth.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miR-155 and IL-6 levels Results The birth body weight of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(kg:1.21±0.22 vs.1.32±0.33,P<0.05),the proportion of invasive ventilation,the proportion of BPD,the incidence of ARDS and sepsis were significantly higher than those in the control group[the proportion of invasive ventilation:75.0%(21/28)vs.57.7%(15/26),the proportion of BPD:35.7%(10/28)vs.11.5%(3/26),incidence of ARDS:100.0%(28/28)vs.84.6%(22/26),incidence of sepsis:71.4%(20/28)vs.53.8%(14/26),all P<0.05],the level of miR-155 mRNA expression and IL-6 were significantly higher than those in the control group[miR-155 mRNA(2-ΔΔCt):0.93±0.18 vs.0.17±0.03,IL-6(ng/L):73.84(33.44,429.00)vs.19.05(9.30,47.20),both P<0.05].Pearson correlation analysis showed that miR-155 and IL-6 levels were significantly positively correlated(r=0.782,P<0.01).With the extension of birth time,both WBC and NEUT gradually decreased in the two groups,and there were statistically significant differences in WBC and NEUT at each time point after birth,with counts significantly lower at 48 hours and 72 hours compared to 24 hours after birth(both P<0.05).The WBC of the observation group at 24,48 and 72 hours after birth was significantly lower than that of the control group(×109/L:7.85±2.44 vs.12.28±6.81 at 24 hours after birth,7.31±3.53 vs.10.98±7.91 at 48 hours after birth,4.97±2.05 vs.7.82±4.65 at 72 hours after birth,all P<0.05),NEUT in observation group was significantly lower than of control group at 24 hours and 48 hours after birth(×109/L:24 hours after birth was 4.13±1.93 vs.7.45±5.67,48 hours after birth was 3.96±2.64 vs.6.89±6.24,both P<0.05).Conclusion The expression level of miR-155 mRNA and IL-6 in very preterm neonates with preeclampsia is significantly up-regulated at the time of birth,and the inflammatory response of the body is disturbed,which has certain value for early assessment of the disease.

Objective To analyze the application of pelvic floor ultrasound combined with pelvic floor muscle strength detection in the evaluation of postpartum pelvic floor function and prediction of pelvic floor dysfunction three years after delivery.Methods A total of 192 women at 42 days postpartum were enrolled,including 85 in the vaginal delivery group and 107 in the cesarean section group.The abnormal rates and levels of the indicators related to pelvic floor muscle strength detection and pelvic floor ultrasound were compared.The patients were followed up for three years,and the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence were analyzed.Results The results of pelvic floor ultrasound were abnormal in 102 patients(53.13%).The abnormal rate of fatigue of typeⅠmuscle fibers was highest(85.94%)in pelvic floor muscle strength detection.The abnormal rates of bladder neck mobility,bladder posterior angle opening,cystocele,levator ani muscle injury,levator hiatus area,perineal body activity,and vaginal dynamic pressure were significantly higher in the vaginal delivery group than those of the cesarean section group(P<0.05).There were significant between-group differences in the mean values of bladder neck movement,levator hiatus area,distances from the bladder neck to the lower margin of the pubic symphysis and from the ampulla of the rectum to the lower margin of the pubic symphysis during the Valsalva movement,vaginal dynamic pressure,and muscle strength(P<0.05).After the 3-year follow-up,the incidences of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary inconti-nence were significantly higher in the vaginal delivery group than in the cesarean section group(P<0.05).In the patients with pelvic floor dysfunction,the results of pelvic floor ultrasound and pelvic floor muscle strength detection were both abnormal at 42 days postpartum.Conclusion The patients with abnormal results of pelvic floor ultrasound and pelvic floor muscle strength detection at 42 days post-partum are more likely to have pelvic floor dysfunction in the future.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Suanzaoren Tang combined with Ziwu Liuzhu acupuncture on the vertebral artery hemodynamics， inflammatory cytokines， and neurotrophic factors in the patients with cervical insomnia with syndrome of deficiency of both heart and spleen. MethodThe random number table method was employed to assign 164 patients with cervical insomnia with syndrome of deficiency of both heart and spleen treated in the First Clinical Medical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to June 2021 into a control group and an observation group. The control group was orally administrated with 1-2 mg estazolam tablets before bed for 4 weeks， and the observation group with Suanzaoren Tang combined with Ziwu Liuzhu acupuncture for 4 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy and safety were observed. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） score， polysomnography monitoring results， hemodynamics parameters of vertebral artery， and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors were compared before and after treatment. ResultExcept 4 dropouts， the remaining 160 patients were included in this study， with 80 patients in each group. The observation group had higher total effective rate than the control group ［92.50% （74/80） vs. 80.00% （64/80）， χ²=5.270， P<0.05］. Compared with that before treatment， the therapies in both groups decreased the PSQI score， sleep latency time， awakening time， awakening times， serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， C-reactive protein （CRP）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， they increased the proportion of rapid-eye-movement （REM） sleep， the diastolic blood flow velocity （Vd）， systolic blood flow velocity （Vs）， and mean blood flow velocity （MFV） of vertebral artery， as well as the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group had lower PSQI score， sleep latency time， awakening time， awakening times， and serum IL-1β， CRP， and TNF-α levels （P<0.01） and higher proportion of REM sleep， Vd， Vs， MFV of vertebral artery， and serum BDNF and GDNF levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the control group. ConclusionZiwu Liuzhu acupuncture combined with Suanzaoren Tang can improve blood circulation of vertebral artery， reduce the serum levels of inflammatory cytokine， and increase the serum levels of neurotrophic factors to improve the sleep quality of the patients with cervical insomnia with syndrome of deficiency of both heart and spleen.

Dental pulp can initiate its damage repair after an injury of the pulp-dentin complex by rearrangement of odontoblasts and formation of newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is one of the gap junction proteins that participates in multiple tissue repair processes. However, the role of Cx43 in the repair of the dental pulp remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the function of Cx43 in the odontoblast arrangement patterns and odontoblastic differentiation. Human teeth for in vitro experiments were acquired, and a pulp injury model in Sprague-Dawley rats was used for in vivo analysis. The odontoblast arrangement pattern and the expression of Cx43 and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) were assessed. To investigate the function of Cx43 in odontoblastic differentiation, we overexpressed or inhibited Cx43. The results indicated that polarized odontoblasts were arranged along the pulp-dentin interface and had high levels of Cx43 expression in the healthy teeth; however, the odontoblast arrangement pattern was slightly changed concomitant to an increase in the Cx43 expression in the carious teeth. Regularly arranged odontoblast-like cells had high levels of the Cx43 expression during the formation of mature dentin, but the odontoblast-like cells were not regularly arranged beneath immature osteodentin in the pulp injury models. Subsequent in vitro experiments demonstrated that Cx43 is upregulated during odontoblastic differentiation of the dental pulp cells, and inhibition or overexpression of Cx43 influence the odontoblastic differentiation. Thus, Cx43 may be involved in the maintenance of odontoblast arrangement patterns, and influence the pulp repair outcomes by the regulation of odontoblastic differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Connexin 43 ; Dental Pulp ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Odontoblasts ; Phosphoproteins ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To investigate the value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) combined with bedside echocardiography in diagnosis and treatment of neonatal sepsis with cardiac dysfunction.Methods:A total of 56 children diagnosed with neonatal sepsis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Liaocheng People′s Hospital from July 2016 to July 2017 were enrolled and divided into 2 groups, namely, the cardiac dysfunction group (26 cases) and the non-cardiac dysfunction group (30 cases). Children with general infection (45 cases) hospita-lized at the same period were taken as the control group.The clinical characteristics, related laboratory indexes and prognosis were compared among 3 groups.The related factors of neonatal sepsis with cardiac dysfunction were analyzed by the multivariate Logistic regression approach, and the value of related indexes in the early prediction neonatal sepsis with cardiac dysfunction was analyzed by using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results:The onset age of sepsis patients with cardiac dysfunction [63.0 h (30.5 h, 185.6 h)] was significantly earlier than that of the patients without cardiac dysfunction [65.0 h (34.5 h, 170.6 h)] and the control group [80.0 h (45.5 h, 202.3 h)] ( P<0.05). The main primary site of the disease was the lung, which was not statistically significant among the 3 groups ( P>0.05). The NT-proBNP level and the high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)/albumin (ALB) ratio in the cardiac dysfunction group [20 230.6 ng/L (15 890.0 ng/L, 35 000.0 ng/L); 0.33(0.29, 0.81)] were significantly higher than those in the control group [7 324.5 ng/L (2 426.5ng/L, 13 890.0 ng/L); 0.06(0, 0.21)] (all P<0.05). The right ventricular diameter and the Tei index of the cardiac dysfunction group [(8.74±2.42) mm; 0.52±0.03] were significantly higher than those in the control group [(8.55±1.41)mm; 0.30±0.04], while the EF of the cardiac dysfunction group [(62.61±2.56)%] was significantly lower than that in the control group [(70.03±0.35)%] (all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that NT-proBNP and the Tei index could effectively predict sepsis with cardiac dysfunction.Specifically, NT-proBNP had a cutoff value of 12 291.5 ng/L, with sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 79%, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.81.The Tei index had a cutoff value of 0.45, with sensitivity of 74%, specificity of 77%, and the AUC of 0.78. Conclusions:NT-proBNP can be used as a marker of early cardiac dysfunction.Its combination with the Tei index of bedside echocardiography can quickly diagnose cardiac dysfunction of children with sepsis, better guide clinicians in drug use, improve cardiac function of patients and enhance the treatment effect.

Objective:To investigate the current nutrition support status of hospitalized small for gestational age infants born late preterm in hospitals of Beijing, and analyze the influencing factors.Methods:Clinical data of late preterm infants from 25 medical units in Beijing between October 2015 and October 2017 was collected and analyzed. Infants were assigned into two groups according to the relationship between their gestational age and birth body weight as small for gestational age(SGA) group and not small for gestational age(non-SGA) group, to compare their nutritional status and explore the related influential factors.Results:Totally, 1 347 late preterm infants were enrolled, including 730 males and 617 females, 151 in SGA group and 1 196 in non-SGA group. The data showed that the rate of exclusive breast-feeding was higher (5.3% vs 4.5%, P<0.01), and the increasing of milk volume was slower [11.0 vs 12.1 ml/(kg·d), P=0.003] in SGA group. More parenteral nutrition was used (77.5% vs 53.1%, P<0.01), and the duration of parenteral nutrition was longer (5.0 vs 2.0 days, P<0.01) in SGA group. The birth weight(1 940 vs 2 490 g, P<0.01), the lowest body weight(1 890 vs 2 400 g, P<0.01) and the discharged body weight(2 135 vs 2 530 g, P<0.01)were lower in SGA group. The SGA group showed lower body weight loss(3.1% vs 8.0%, P=0.015), slower weight growth(13.3 vs 33.0 g/d, P<0.01), and longer length of hospital stay (11.0 vs 8.0 days, P<0.01). In SGA group, the milk volume at discharge [145.6 vs 122.2 ml/(kg·d), P<0.01] and the caloric of enteral feeding at discharge [443.9 vs 384.1 kJ/(kg·d), P<0.01] were higher, the rate of infants who regained their birth weight during hospitalization(78.8% vs 57.9%, P<0.01) was higher, and the rate of ones who achieve full enteral feeding (31.8% vs 16.6%, P<0.01) was higher. A Cox regression analysis in which we set infants can achieve full enteral feeding as goal showed that independent factors associated with full enteral feeding at discharge in SGA group included the increasing of enteral feeding, the duration of parenteral nutrition, whether the length of hospital stay longer than 7 days or not whether exclusive breastfeeding and whether the mothers of enrolled infants were diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus or placental abruption during pregnancy ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Infants in SGA group show slower increasing of milk volume and lower caloric amount of enteral feeding. More parenteral nutrition is used, and the duration of parenteral nutrition is longer in SGA group. Due to the longer length of hospital stay in SGA group, the milk volume and the caloric of enteral feeding at discharge are higher, more infants regain their birth weight during hospitalization, and more infants achieve full enteral feeding at discharge. Despite of higher portion of parenteral nutrition, infants in SGA group show slower weight growth and lower body weight at discharge.

Objective:To investigate the status and influencing factors of enteral nutrition support in late preterm infants (34-36 +6 gestational weeks) treated in different grades of hospitals in Beijing. Methods:This was a prospective study involving late preterm infants treated in 25 hospitals in Beijing from October 2015 to October 2017. Data about nutritional management and nutrition-related complications were recorded. Exclusive breastfeeding status of the infants by gestational age(GA) and hospital levels was analyzed. The achievement of full enteral feeding and the potential influencing factors were also analyzed. t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Logistic regression and Cox regression analysis were used in multivariate analysis. Results:(1) A total of 1 463 late preterm infants with GA of 35.6±0.8 (ranging from 34.9 to 36.1) weeks was enrolled in this study. Compared with the infants with GA of 35-35 +6 and 36-36 +6 weeks, those born at 34-34 +6 gestational weeks had longer hospital stay [10 (8-13) vs 8 (7-10) and 7 (6-9) d, both P<0.05], greater loss of minimum weight [4.3% (2.6%-6.3%) vs 3.8% (2.0%-5.6%) and 3.3% (1.9%-5.5%), both P<0.05], higher incidence of apnea [5.3% (20/369) vs 2.1% (12/566) and 1.3% (7/528), both P<0.05] and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) [7.1% (28/369) vs 3.0% (17/566) and 3.2% (17/528), both P<0.05], and lower percentage of failure to regain birth weight at discharge [32.5% (120/369) vs 38.7% (219/566) and 47.9% (253/528), both P<0.05]. Only the incidence of premature rupture of membranes among all maternal complications during pregnancy had statistical difference between 34-34 +6, 35-35 +6 and 36-36 +6 GA groups [6.2% (23/369) vs 12.7% (72/566) and 11.9% (63/528), χ2=10.244, P=0.007]. (2) The rate of enteral feeding increment in hospital was 13.7 (10.5-17.3) ml/(kg·d) and 46.0% (673/1 463) of the infants were fed formula. The exclusive breastfeeding rate increased from 4.5% (66/1 463) during hospitalization to 14.4% (211/1 463) at discharge. The breastfeeding rate at discharge varied widely among the 25 hospitals ( χ2=327.893, P<0.001) ranging from 32% to 0. (3) Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that gestational diabetes mellitus ( OR=2.426, 95% CI: 1.075-5.437, P=0.033) and premature rupture of membranes ( OR=8.726, 95% CI: 1.193-63.802, P=0.033) were the prenatal risk factors influencing the exclusive breastfeeding in late preterm infants. Enteral nutrition achieving 150 ml/(kg·d) and 120 kcal/(kg·d) (1 kcal=4.184 kJ) were noted for 28.4% (416/1 463) and 19.2% (281/1 463) of the late preterm infants at discharge, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that hospital grades ( HR=1.470, 95% CI: 1.030-2.098, P=0.034), the length of hospital stay ( HR=1.162, 95% CI: 1.097-1.231, P<0.001), birth weight ( HR=0.946, 95% CI: 0.898-0.995, P=0.003), exclusive breastfeeding ( HR=2.354, 95% CI:1.031-5.374, P=0.042), feeding intolerance ( HR=3.677, 95% CI: 1.201-11.253, P=0.023), parenteral nutrition ( HR=1.900, 95% CI: 1.379-2.616, P<0.001), and the rate of enteral feeding advancement ( HR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.369-1.484, P<0.001) were independent factors associated with full enteral feeding at discharge. Conclusions:Exclusive breastfeeding rate in late preterm infants is low and enteral nutrition support varies greatly in different hospitals. The rate of enteral feeding increment is slow for hospitalized late preterm infants and most fail to achieve full enteral feeding at discharge. Gestational diabetes mellitus and premature rupture of membranes are prenatal risk factors affecting breastfeeding of late preterm infants. Those with low birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding in hospital, feeding intolerance, parenteral nutrition support, longer hospital stay or rapid enteral feeding advancement are more likely to achieve full enteral feeding at discharge.

Objective To investigate the effects of transient receptor potential cation channel 6 (TRPC6) on the expression of nephrin, desmin and caspase 9 and on the apoptosis of podocytes in a mouse model of podocyte injury induced by TGF-β1.Methods Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into four groups: control, TGF-β1 treatment, TGF-β1+PGPU6/GFP/Neo-TRPC6-mus-581 (TRPC6 knockdown) and TGF-β1+PGPU6/GFP/Neo-NC (negative control).Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of nephrin, desmin and caspase 9 at mRNA and protein levels, respectively.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptotic rate of podocytes.DAPI fluorescent staining was used to observe the morphological changes of apoptotic podocytes.Results Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing podocytes at 48 hours after transfection were significantly more than those at 24 hours after transfection.The level of TRPC6 in mouse podocytes transfected with PGPU6/GFP/Neo-TRPC6-mus-581 was significantly decreased as compared with that of the control group (P<0.05).No significant difference in the expression of TRPC6 was observed between the negative control group and the control group.Compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 treatment group showed increased expression of desmin and caspase 9 at both mRNA and protein levels (P<0.01), but decreased expression of nephrin at mRNA and protein levels at 48 hours after TGF-β1 intervention (P<0.05).The up-regulated desmin and caspase 9 and the down-regulated nephrin induced by TGF-β1 could be inhibited by the means of TRPC6 knockdown.The apoptosis rate of podocytes in TGF-β1 treatment group was (14.0±2.1)%, while that in TRPC6 knockdown was (10.90±0.56)% (P<0.05).The apoptosis rate of podocytes in negative control group was higher than that in TGF-β1 treatment group (P>0.05).More apoptotic cells with typical morphological features of apoptosis were observed after exposure to TGF-β1 for 48 hours.Conclusion TGF-β1 could induce the apoptosis of podocytes, inhibit the expression of nephrin and enhance the expression of caspase 9 and desmin, the possible mechanisms of which may be related to TRPC6 signal pathway.These changes in TGF-β1-treated podocytes could be alleviated by inhibiting the expression of TRPC6, which might have a protective effect on podocyte injury.