Objective To elucidate the molecular genetic etiology of patients with disorders of sex development(DSD)using whole exome sequencing(WES),thereby enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of sexual development abnormalities.Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 60 DSD patients diagnosed in the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province between March 2008 and August 2021,with an additional family study for one proband.Genomic DNA was extracted from patients for WES analysis.Single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)and insertions/deletion(InDel)tests were identified using SAMtools software in conjunction with established SNP and InDel databases.Copy number variations(CNVs)at the exon level were detected using ExomeDepth,while the potential pathogenicity of mutations was predicted with PolyPhen-2,Mutation taster and PyMol software,with Sanger sequencing employed for confirmation.Results The study included 22 patients with 46,XX DSD and 38 with 46,XY DSD.Among the 46,XX DSD patients,the SRY gene was detected in 14 patients.In the remaining 8 patients and a proband's families,single nucleotide site variations(SNVs)of NR5A1,PROKR2 and ANOS1 genes were identified in 2 patients,and CNVs in CYP21A2 gene were found in 4 patients.The pathogenicity of CYP21A2 EX1 Dup has been previously reported,while the remaining 3 CNVs were of uncertain significance,and no DSD-related mutations were detected in 2 patients.In the WES analysis of 46,XY DSD patients,10 pathogenic or likely pathogenic SNVs across 5 genes(SRY,AR,SRD5A2,CYP17A1,and NR5A1)were identified in 14 patients.Additionally,5 likely pathogenic CNVs involving the CYP21A2,AKR1C2,CBX2,and NR5A1 genes were detected in 5 patients,comprising 3 deletions and 2 duplications.Novel SNVs in NR5A1(c.722G>T,c.48C>G)and ANOS1 c.564A>T were identified,with no prior reports in relevant databases.The pathogenicity of CYP21A2 EX1 Dup is documented in related databases,while the remaining CNVs have not been previously reported.Conclusion The utilization of WES technology has enhanced the diagnostic potential for DSD,broadened the spectrum of known DSD-related gene mutations,and deepened our comprehension of DSD pathogenesis,offering valuable support for genetic counseling.

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hypertension among adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and to provide clues for exploring the role of genetic and environmental factors on hypertension. Methods: A total of 69 220 (34 610 pairs) of twins aged 18 and above with hypertension information were selected from CNTR registered from 2010 to 2018. Random effect models were used to describe the population and regional distribution of hypertension in twins. To estimate the heritability, the concordance rates of hypertension were calculated and compared between monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ). Results: The age of all participants was (34.1±12.4) years. The overall self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 3.8%(2 610/69 220). Twin pairs who were older, living in urban areas, married, overweight or obese, current smokers or ex-smokers, and current drinkers or abstainers had a higher self-reported prevalence of hypertension (P<0.05). Analysis within the same-sex twin pairs found that the concordance rate of hypertension was 43.2% in MZ and 27.0% in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The heritability of hypertension was 22.1% (95%CI: 16.3%- 28.0%). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hypertension in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. The heritability of hypertension was higher in female participants. Conclusions: There were differences in the distribution of hypertension among twins with different demographic and regional characteristics. It is indicated that genetic factors play a crucial role in hypertension in different genders, ages, and regions, while the magnitude of genetic effects may vary.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Alcohol Drinking ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hypertension/genetics* ; Twins, Dizygotic/genetics* ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hyperlipidemia in adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and explore the effect of genetic and environmental factors on hyperlipidemia. Methods: Twins recruited from the CNTR in 11 project areas across China were included in the study. A total of 69 130 (34 565 pairs) of adult twins with complete information on hyperlipidemia were selected for analysis. The random effect model was used to characterize the population and regional distribution of hyperlipidemia among twins. The concordance rates of hyperlipidemia were calculated in monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ), respectively, to estimate the heritability. Results: The age of all participants was (34.2±12.4) years. This study's prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 1.3% (895/69 130). Twin pairs who were men, older, living in urban areas, married,had junior college degree or above, overweight, obese, insufficient physical activity, current smokers, ex-smokers, current drinkers, and ex-drinkers had a higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia (P<0.05). In within-pair analysis, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia was 29.1% (118/405) in MZ and 18.1% (57/315) in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. Further, in within-same-sex twin pair analyses, the heritability of hyperlipidemia was 13.04% (95%CI: 2.61%-23.47%) in the northern group and 18.59% (95%CI: 4.43%-32.74%) in the female group, respectively. Conclusions: Adult twins were included in this study and were found to have a lower prevalence of hyperlipidemia than in the general population study, with population and regional differences. Genetic factors influence hyperlipidemia, but the genetic effect may vary with gender and area.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Metabolic Diseases ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the effect of berberine on programmed necrosis of hepatocytes induced by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in mice and its related molecular mechanism. Methods: Twenty male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 in each group): control group (S), fatty liver group (H), berberine group(B), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 inhibitor group (Nrf2), and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) group (A). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations were detected at the end of week 12 to calculate fatty liver index (liver mass/body mass ratio). Liver tissue was stained with HE, Masson and Oil Red O, and SAF score was used to evaluate the degree of liver injury. The expression levels of hepatic programmed necrosis-related proteins, namely receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), phosphorylated mixed series protease-like domain (p-MLKL) and Nrf2 were detected by Western blot method. One-way ANOVA was used for intragroup comparisons and LSD-t tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Results: Compared with S group, H group serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-1β levels and fatty liver index were significantly increased. The liver tissue was filled with vacuolar-like changes and inflammatory cell infiltration. Numerous red lipid droplets were observed with oil red O staining. Collagen fiber hyperplasia was evident with Masson staining. SAF scores (6.60 ± 0.55 and 0.80 ± 0.45) were significantly increased. The expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were up-regulated. Nrf2 level was relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with H group, berberine intervention group liver biochemical indexes, lipid levels, pro-inflammatory mediator expression, fatty liver index, and SAF score were significantly reduced, and the expression of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were down-regulated, while Nrf2 levels were further increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with B group, treatment with Nrf2 inhibitor had antagonized the protective effect of berberine on fatty liver. Serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC and TNF-α, IL-1β levels, fatty liver index, and SAF scores were significantly increased and the expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Berberine can significantly improve the metabolic-associated fatty liver disease injury in mice, and its mechanism is related to activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of programmed necrosis of hepatocytes.
Animals ; Berberine/therapeutic use* ; Fatty Liver ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Necrosis

ObjectiveTo explore the intervention effect of Baofeikang granule （BFK） on the rat model of pulmonary fibrosis through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MethodAfter adaptive feeding for one week， 50 healthy rats were randomly divided into a blank group （n=8） and an experimental group （n=42）. After anesthesia， the rats in the experimental group were injected with bleomycin sulfate solution （5 mg·kg^-1） into the trachea for the induction of the pulmonary fibrosis model. Those in the blank group were injected with the same amount of normal saline under the same manipulation. On the 7^th day after modeling， one of the remaining 33 rats alive was randomly removed， and the other 32 model rats were assigned into a model group （n=8）， a prednisone acetate （1.17 mg·kg^-1） group （n=8）， a low-dose BFK （13.59 g·kg^-1） group （n=8）， and a high-dose BFK （27.18 g·kg^-1） group （n=8）. The rats in the groups with drug intervention were treated correspondingly by gavage once per day for 21 days， and those in the blank group and the model group received the same amount of normal saline. The pulmonary compliance and ventilatory function， the scores of pathological changes and fibrosis， the levels of type Ⅰ collagen （Col Ⅰ） in lung tissues and hydroxyproline （HYP） in the serum， and the relative expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin protein in lung tissues were compared. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed reduced pulmonary function indexes， such as forced vital capacity （FVC）， peak expiratory flow （PEF）， the resistance of lung （RL）， and dynamic compliance （Cdyn） （P<0.05， P<0.01）， severely damaged lung tissue morphology， massive formed continuous fibrous foci， increased fibrosis score （P<0.01）， elevated levels of Col Ⅰ in lung tissues and HYP in the serum （P<0.01）， and up-regulated expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin （P<0.01）. FVC， PEF， and Cdyn levels in the prednisone acetate group and the BFK groups were higher than those in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological changes were improved in the groups with drug intervention， and fibrosis scores were decreased as compared with the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The scores in the BFK groups were lower than that in the prednisone acetate group （P<0.01）. The levels of Col Ⅰ and HYP in the groups with drug intervention were lower than those in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The level of Col Ⅰ in the prednisone acetate group was higher than that in the high-dose BFK group （P<0.01）. The levels of serum HYP in the BFK groups was lower than that in the prednisone acetate group （P<0.01）. The protein expression of Wnt3a in lung tissues of the high-dose BFK group was lower than that of the model group （P<0.05）. The protein expression of β-catenin in the prednisone acetate group and the BFK groups was lower than that in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression level in the high-dose BFK group was lower than that in the prednisone acetate group （P<0.01）. ConclusionBFK can relieve bleomycin sulfate-induced pulmonary fibrosis， reduce collagen deposition， improve pulmonary compliance， and enhance pulmonary ventilatory function in rats. One of its mechanisms is presumedly the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect and antioxidant mechanism of Xiaochuanning granule on psychological stress-related asthma in rats. MethodThe 6-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group， asthma group， stress group， stress-related asthma group， western medicine group （atomization of budesonide suspension） and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） group （Xiaochuanning granule 2.48 g·kg^-1）. The asthma model was established during 28 days by intraperitoneal injection of 10% ovalbumin（OVA）on the 1^st and 8^th days and inhaling of vapourized 1% OVA started at the 15^th day. Stress group， stress-related asthma group， western medicine group and TCM group were given restraint stimulation during the 28 days to establish the psychological stress-related asthma model. Rats in each group were administered with corresponding drug for 14 days from the 15^th day. The sucrose preference test and open field test were performed at the 15^th and 28^th days. At the end of experiment， the body weight， serum interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5） and interleukin-13 （IL-13） levels， as well as the levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione （GSH） in lung tissues were detected by assay kits. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was conducted to observe the pathological changes in lung tissues. Meanwhile， Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） and hemeoxygenase-1 （HO-1） in lung tissues. ResultCompared with the stress-related asthma group， the body weight， sugar water consumption rate and open field distance in the TCM group were significantly increased （P<0.05）， and the serum IL-4， IL-5， IL-13 levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， the levels of SOD and GSH in lung tissues increased significantly （P<0.05）， while the level of MDA decreased significantly （P<0.05）. HE staining showed that the bronchial mucosal injury， inflammatory cell infiltration， gland hyperplasia， epithelial degeneration and necrosis were significantly ameliorated in the TCM group than in the stress-related asthma group. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein in lung tissues also increased significantly （P<0.05）. ConclusionXiaochuanning Granule can regulate the psychological stress state of stress-related asthmatic rats， alleviate airway inflammatory reaction， and suppress oxidation， which is related to its up-regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 protein expression.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Sangmei Zhike granule （SMZK） on airway inflammation in rats with cough variant asthma（CVA）. MethodSix-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， and SMZK （2.48 g·kg^-1） group. The rats in the model group and the SMZK group received intraperitoneal injection of a mixed solution containing 10% ovalbumin （OVA） and aluminium hydroxide on the 1^st and 8^th days and aerosol inhalation of 1% OVA solution from the 15^th day for CVA model induction. The intervention lasted for two weeks from the 15^th day. At the end of animal manipulation， the lung function was detected and inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood were counted. The serum interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） levels were determined. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed on the lungs. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） and its inhibitor α（IκBα） in lung tissues. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced forced expiratory volume in the first 0.1 second （FEV_0.1），FEV_0.1/forced vital capacity （FVC），and forced expiratory flow 50% （FEF50%） （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased white blood cells and eosinophils （P<0.01）， and up-regulated serum IL-4， IL-5， and IL-10 （P<0.01）. As revealed by HE staining， the model group displayed shed epithelial cells of the bronchus， airway stenosis， hyperplasia and expansion of mucous glands， disarrangement of layer structures， disorderly arranged cells， and extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells. The protein expression of NF-κB p65 was higher （P<0.01） and that of IκBα was lower （P<0.01） in the lung tissues of the model group than that in the normal group. Compared with the model group， the SMZK group showed increased FEV_0.1，FEV_0.1/FVC，and FEF50% （P<0.05）， decreased white blood cells and eosinophils in the peripheral blood （P<0.01）， and declining serum IL-4， IL-5， IL-10 （P<0.01）. HE staining demonstrated mild bronchial mucosal injury and relieved inflammatory cell infiltration， gland hyperplasia， and epithelial degeneration and necrosis in the SMZK group. The protein expression of NF-κB p65 was decreased （P<0.05） and that of IκBα was increased （P<0.05） in lung tissues of the SMZK group than that in the model group. ConclusionSMZK can improve lung function and inhibit airway inflammation in rats with CVA. The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of IκBα/NF-κB protein expression in the lungs.

ObjectiveTo compare and evaluate the clinical efficacy of five classical prescriptions for acute attack of bronchial asthma （BA） and cough variant asthma （CVA） in children， and to further compare and assess the effect of them on cold-induced asthma or heat-induced asthma. MethodRandomized controlled trials （RCT） on the treatment of acute attack of asthma with five classical prescriptions （Sanzi Yangqintang， Maxing Shigantang， Shegan Mahuangtang， Xiao Qinglongtang， and Dingchuantang） were retrieved from China Science and Technology Journal Database （VIP）， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， and Wanfang Data （from establishment to August 15， 2021）. The eligible RCT were evaluated and the data were extracted for network Meta-analysis by Stata 16.0. ResultA total of eligible 47 RCT were screened out， involving 5 114 children with acute attack of asthma and 10 intervention measures. Among them， 16 RCT （1 912 children， 6 intervention measures） were about the cold-induced asthma and 10 RCT （1 054 cases， 4 intervention measures） focused on the heat-induced asthma. According to the Meta-analysis， among the 10 interventions， Maxing Shigantang + routine treatment of western medicine demonstrated the most significant effect， and the effect of the interventions was in the following order： Maxing Shigantang + routine treatment of western medicine > routine treatment of western medicine， Shegan Mahuangtang + routine treatment of western medicine> Xiao Qinglongtang + routine treatment of western medicine > Shegan Mahuangtang > Dingchuantang + routine treatment of western medicine. For the cold-induced asthma， the effect of Shegan Mahuangtang + routine treatment of western medicine was remarkable， and for the heat-induced asthma， the corresponding intervention was Dingchuantang + routine treatment of western medicine. Shegan Mahuangtang was outstanding in improving the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second in predicted value （FEV₁%）. ConclusionThe combination of western medicine with the five prescriptions was more effective than the western medicine alone， particularly the combination with Maxing Shigantang. The combination of Shegan Mahuangtang and western medicine was outstanding in the treatment of cold-induced asthma， while the corresponding intervention for heat-induced asthma was the combination of Dingchuantang and western medicine. However， a large number of RCT with scientific design and higher quality are still needed to verify the conclusion.

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of type 2 diabetes in twins in Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR), provide clues and evidence for revealing the influence of genetic and environmental factors for type 2 diabetes. Methods: Of all twins registered in the CNTR during 2010-2018, a total 18 855 twin pairs aged ≥30 years with complete registration information were included in the analysis. The random effect model was used to describe the population and area distribution characteristics and concordance of type 2 diabetes in twin pairs. Results: The mean age of the subjects was (42.8±10.2) years, the study subjects included 10 339 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and 8 516 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. The self-reported prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes was 2.2% in total population and there was no sighificant difference between MZ and DZ. Intra-twin pairs analysis showed that the concordance rate of type 2 diabetes was 38.2% in MZ twin pairs, and 16.0% in DZ twin pairs, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The concordance rate of type 2 diabetes in MZ twin parts was higher than that in DZ twin pairs in both men and women, in different age groups and in different areas (P<0.05). Further stratified analysis showed that in northern China, only MZ twin pairs less than 60 years old were found to have a higher concordance rate of type 2 diabetes compared with DZ twin pairs (P<0.05). In southern China, the co-prevalence rate in male MZ twin pairs aged ≥60 years was still higher than that in DZ twin pairs (P<0.05). Conclusion: The twin pairs in this study had a lower self-reported prevalence of type 2 diabetes than the general population. The study results suggested that genetic factors play a role in type 2 diabetes prevalence in both men and women, in different age groups and in different areas, however, the effect might vary.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Registries ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of coronary heart disease in adult twins recruited from Chinese Twin Registry (CNTR), and provide clues and evidence for the effect of genetic and environmental influences on coronary heart disease. Methods: By using the data of CNTR during 2010-2018, a total of 34 583 twin pairs aged ≥18 years who completed questionnaire survey and had related information were included in the current study to analyze the population and area distribution characteristics of coronary heart disease. Random effect models were used to compare the differences between groups. The concordane rate of coronary heart disease were calculated respectively in monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs to estimate the heritability. Results: The twin pairs included in this analysis were aged (34.2±12.4) years. The overall prevalence rate of coronary heart disease in twin pairs was 0.7%. Twin pairs who were women, older, obese and lived in northern China had higher prevalence of coronary heart disease (P<0.05). Intra-pair analysis in the same-sex twin pairs found that the concordane rate of coronary heart disease was higher in MZ twin pairs (25.3%) than in DZ twins (7.4%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The overall heritability of coronary heart disease was 19.3% (95%CI: 11.8%-26.8%). Stratified by gender, age and area, the concordane rate was still higher in MZ twin pairs than in DZ pairs. Participants who were women, aged 18-30 years or ≥60 years and lived in northern China had a higher heritability of coronary heart disease. Conclusion: The distribution of coronary heart disease in twin pairs differed in populations and areas. The prevalence of coronary heart disease was affected by genetic factors, but the effect varied with age, gender and area.
Adolescent ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Coronary Disease/genetics* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*