Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of a family with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3(MODY3) and assess its association with the novel HNF1A-c.47T>A variant.Methods:A genetic pedigree of the MODY3 family was constructed, and clinical data were collected. Whole-exome sequencing combined with Sanger sequencing was used, followed for familial co-segregation analysis. Bioinformatics tools, including multiple sequence alignment–based conservation analysis and protein structural prediction, were conducted to validate the association between the novel HNF1A-c.47T>A variant and MODY3.Results:Seven MODY3 patients were diagnosed in this family, all harboring the HNF1A-c.47T>A heterozygous variant. AlphaFold2 protein structure prediction indicated that the HNF1A-c.47T>A variant altered the conformation of the first pair of α-helices within the protein dimerization domain.Conclusion:Based on co-segregation analysis, sequence conservation assessment, protein structure prediction, and classification based on American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG) Guidelines, the HNF1A-c.47T>A variant was determined to be pathogenic for MODY3. This study reports this novel pathogenic variant, expanding the mutational spectrum of MODY3. By revealing its disruptive effect on the protein dimerization domain, the findings provide a potential molecular basis for the diagnosis and management of patients carrying similar variants.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic value of visual endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (vERAT) in pediatric patients with acute suppurative appendicitis (ASA).Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 55 ASA patients who underwent vERAT at the Pediatric Department of the Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University between November 2023 and January 2025 were selected and divided into groups based on the presence or absence of fecaliths: fecalith group and non-fecalith group. The baseline characteristics, initial treatment success rates, treatment costs, hospital stay duration, procedure time, and recurrence rates between two groups were compared. Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to evaluate group differences. Results:A total of 55 ASA patients were enrolled, including 38 males and 17 females, with the age of 11.2 (9.2, 13.1) years. Based on the presence of fecaliths, patients were divided into two groups: fecalith group (32 cases) and non-fecalith group (23 cases). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, gender, duration of abdominal pain, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, diameter of appendix, thickness of appendix clinical symptoms or signs (all P>0.05). The initial treatment success rates were 91% (29/32) in fecalith group and 96% (22/23) in non-fecalith group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.632). However, significant differences were noted in stent placement ( χ2=5.85, P=0.026) and procedure time ( Z=4.75, P<0.001). The follow-up duration time was 6.0 (2.0, 12.0) and 7.0 (2.0, 8.5) months for the fecalith and non-fecalith groups, respectively, with no significant difference ( Z=0.05, P=0.962). The recurrence rates were 14% (4/29) in fecalith group and 5% (1/22) in non-fecalith group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.375). Conclusions:vERAT can safely and effectively treat pediatric ASA, regardless of the presence or absence of fecaliths. It can provide a new treatment option for ASA.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of a family with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3(MODY3) and assess its association with the novel HNF1A-c.47T>A variant.Methods:A genetic pedigree of the MODY3 family was constructed, and clinical data were collected. Whole-exome sequencing combined with Sanger sequencing was used, followed for familial co-segregation analysis. Bioinformatics tools, including multiple sequence alignment–based conservation analysis and protein structural prediction, were conducted to validate the association between the novel HNF1A-c.47T>A variant and MODY3.Results:Seven MODY3 patients were diagnosed in this family, all harboring the HNF1A-c.47T>A heterozygous variant. AlphaFold2 protein structure prediction indicated that the HNF1A-c.47T>A variant altered the conformation of the first pair of α-helices within the protein dimerization domain.Conclusion:Based on co-segregation analysis, sequence conservation assessment, protein structure prediction, and classification based on American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG) Guidelines, the HNF1A-c.47T>A variant was determined to be pathogenic for MODY3. This study reports this novel pathogenic variant, expanding the mutational spectrum of MODY3. By revealing its disruptive effect on the protein dimerization domain, the findings provide a potential molecular basis for the diagnosis and management of patients carrying similar variants.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic value of visual endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (vERAT) in pediatric patients with acute suppurative appendicitis (ASA).Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 55 ASA patients who underwent vERAT at the Pediatric Department of the Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University between November 2023 and January 2025 were selected and divided into groups based on the presence or absence of fecaliths: fecalith group and non-fecalith group. The baseline characteristics, initial treatment success rates, treatment costs, hospital stay duration, procedure time, and recurrence rates between two groups were compared. Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to evaluate group differences. Results:A total of 55 ASA patients were enrolled, including 38 males and 17 females, with the age of 11.2 (9.2, 13.1) years. Based on the presence of fecaliths, patients were divided into two groups: fecalith group (32 cases) and non-fecalith group (23 cases). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, gender, duration of abdominal pain, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, diameter of appendix, thickness of appendix clinical symptoms or signs (all P>0.05). The initial treatment success rates were 91% (29/32) in fecalith group and 96% (22/23) in non-fecalith group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.632). However, significant differences were noted in stent placement ( χ2=5.85, P=0.026) and procedure time ( Z=4.75, P<0.001). The follow-up duration time was 6.0 (2.0, 12.0) and 7.0 (2.0, 8.5) months for the fecalith and non-fecalith groups, respectively, with no significant difference ( Z=0.05, P=0.962). The recurrence rates were 14% (4/29) in fecalith group and 5% (1/22) in non-fecalith group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.375). Conclusions:vERAT can safely and effectively treat pediatric ASA, regardless of the presence or absence of fecaliths. It can provide a new treatment option for ASA.

Objective:To investigate the effects of modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (mERAT) on the treatment of children with different severities of acute appendicitis.Methods:This study was a case-control study. A total of 586 children with acute appendicitis, who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University between January 2019 and November 2023, were selected as the research subjects. According to the severity of the disease, the patients were divided into simple appendicitis group, suppurative appendicitis group and perforated appendicitis group. The baseline data, hospitalization treatment and costs, outcomes, and recurrence in each group were analyzed, and the difference in the effectiveness of mERAT between the groups were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ2 test. Results:Among 586 children, there were 338 males and 248 females. The age at onset was 7.0 (4.6, 9.4) years. There were 475 cases of simple appendicitis, 78 cases of suppurative appendicitis, and 33 cases of perforated appendicitis. There were no significant differences in age and gender among the three groups ( F=0.59, χ2=3.31, both P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in body temperature, white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, nausea or vomiting, right lower abdominal pain, umbilical pain, right lower abdominal tenderness, and right lower abdominal rebound pain ( H=7.56, 161.52, 169.11, and 169.61, χ2=12.05, 13.82, 12.05, 7.74, 20.35, and 94.61, all P<0.05). Also, the treatment time, postoperative hospital stay, total hospital stay, and cost showed statistically significant differences ( H=4.70, 33.66, 34.99, 30.37, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the initial treatment success rate (98.1% (466/475) vs. 98.7% (77/78) vs. 90.9% (30/33), P=0.057). During the 30 (23, 36) months of follow-up, the recurrence rate was 7.9% (35/433) in the simple appendicitis group, 20.8% (15/72) in the suppurative appendicitis group, and 30.0% (9/30) in the perforated appendicitis group, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=23.56, P<0.001). Among the children with recurrent appendicitis, 15 cases still chose mERAT, of them 11 cases (31.2%) had simple appendicitis, 2 cases (2/15) had suppurative appendicitis, and 2 cases (2/9) had perforated appendicitis.The latest time to recurrence in the 3 groups was 32, 35 and 10 months, respectively. Conclusion:Treatment with mERAT has a good effect in pediatric simple appendicitis, but has a higher recurrence rate despite a better initial treatment success rate in suppurative appendicitis and perforated appendicitis.

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants have made COVID-19 convalescents susceptible to re-infection and have raised concern about the efficacy of inactivated vaccination in neutralization against emerging variants and antigen-specific B cell response. To this end, a study on a long-term cohort of 208 participants who have recovered from COVID-19 was conducted, and the participants were followed up at 3.3 (Visit 1), 9.2 (Visit 2), and 18.5 (Visit 3) months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. They were classified into three groups (no-vaccination (n = 54), one-dose (n = 62), and two-dose (n = 92) groups) on the basis of the administration of inactivated vaccination. The neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers against the wild-type virus continued to decrease in the no-vaccination group, but they rose significantly in the one-dose and two-dose groups, with the highest NAb titers being observed in the two-dose group at Visit 3. The NAb titers against the Delta variant for the no-vaccination, one-dose, and two-dose groups decreased by 3.3, 1.9, and 2.3 folds relative to the wild-type virus, respectively, and those against the Omicron variant decreased by 7.0, 4.0, and 3.8 folds, respectively. Similarly, the responses of SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific B cells and memory B cells were boosted by the second vaccine dose. Results showed that the convalescents benefited from the administration of the inactivated vaccine (one or two doses), which enhanced neutralization against highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants and memory B cell responses. Two doses of inactivated vaccine among COVID-19 convalescents are therefore recommended for the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccination guidelines and policies need to be updated.

Objective To observe the effects of the intercellular gap junction (GJIC) composed of connexin 43(Cx43) in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different sources and their signals on the biological behavior of multiple myeloma (MM) lateral population cells (SP cells), and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different sources were isolated and cultured. SP cells of MM cell line RPMI 8266 were sorted by flow cytometry. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Cx43 gene and protein in MSCs, RPMI 8266 and SP cells from different sources. The effects of MSCs from different sources on SP cell cycle, Cx43 protein expression, colony formation ability in vitro, stem cell related gene expression, cytokine secretion and drug resistance were observed. Results There was no significant difference in morphology and phenotype between MM-MSCs and ND-MSCs. Both MM-MSCs and RPMI 8266 cells expressed a higher level of Cx43. Co-culture with MM-MSCs induced more SP cells to enter G0 phase (P<0.001). The expressions of c-myc, Kif4 and Sox2 genes in SP cells were significantly up-regulated, while the expression of Oct-4 gene was down-regulated. After adding α-GA, c-myc, Kif4 and Sox2 were down-regulated in varying degrees, but there was no significant difference. The expression of Cx43 was up-regulated by (31.00±2)% and (39.00±2)%, respectively. The colony formation ability in vitro was up-regulated, and the addition of α-GA could partially inhibit this effect. A small amount of c-myc, Kif4, Sox2 and Oct-4 genes were expressed in RPMI 8266. These genes were significantly up-regulated in SP cell subpopulation. MM-MSCs secreted high levels of interleukin (IL)-6. After co-culture with SP cells, the expressions of IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β in the supernatant of MM-MSCs were up-regulated (P=0.0072, P=0.037). bFGF and IL-17 had no significant change. After adding α-GA, the levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β in the supernatant decreased. MM cells were sensitive to bortezomib (BTZ) induced apoptosis, but SP cells were less sensitive. Co-culture with MM-MSCs significantly reduced BTZ-mediated apoptosis. The addition of α-GA partially restored the sensitivity of MM cells to bortezomib. Conclusion MM-MSCs and multiple myeloma SP cells up-regulate the expression of Cx43 protein, form more GJIC, and promote the proliferation and drug resistance of SP cells by changing the cytokine secretion profile of MSCs, which may be one of the reasons for the recurrence of MM.

Objective:To investigate clinical efficacy of curved fenestration and drainage procedure for the treatment of nail root abscess.Methods:From June 2018 to October 2020, 72 patients with nail root abscess were included in Department of Dermatology, Henan Armed Police Corps Hospital. According to the size, location and severity of the abscess, minimally invasive curved fenestration and drainage procedure was performed under nerve block anesthesia to reduce the pressure and drain the pus. Dressing change was strengthened after surgery, and wound healing was monitored.Results:Among the 72 patients, there were 37 males and 35 females, and their ages varied from 39 to 80 years (average: 63 years) . They all received curved fenestration and drainage procedure. Fifteen days after surgery, 66 cases were cured, 6 obtained marked improvement, and the response rate was 100%. Lesions did not completely subside in 1 patient due to poor blood glucose control and small exposure area at the fenestration site, while the condition of other patients was effectively controlled. Telephone follow-up was conducted 3 months after surgery, and no obvious nail defects or deformed appearance was observed in any of the cases.Conclusion:Curved fenestration and drainage procedure is a simple approach for nail root abscess, with satisfactory efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the improvement effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) fosinopril, perindopril and benazepril on ventricular remodeling in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to evaluate its safety. METHODS: A total of 96 AMI patients selected from our hospital during Jan. 2014-Oct. 2016 were divided into group A, B, C according to random number table, with 32 cases in each group. All patients received symptomatic treatment, underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, and then given ACEI after blood vessels recanalization and keeping blood pressure stable. Group A was given Fosinopril sodium tablets 10 mg, qd; group B was given Perindopril tert-butylamine tablets 4 mg, qd; group C was given Benazepril hydrochloride tablets 10 mg, qd. All groups were treated for consecutive 6 months. Cardiac structure and function indexes (LVESD, LVEDD, IVSD, LVPWD, LVEF, CO), hemodynamic indexes (SBP, DBP, HR) and related lab indexes (FPG, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, AST, ALT, Scr, BUN) of 3 groups were observed before and after treatment. The occurrence of ADR was recorded. RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no statistical significance in cardiac structure and function indexes, hemodynamic indexes or related lab indexes among 3 groups (P＞0. 05). After treatment, the levels of LVESD, LVEDD, LVPWD, CO, HR, FPG, TG, TC and LDL-C in 3 groups were decreased significantly, while the levels of LVEF and SBP were increased significantly, with statistical significance (尸＜0. 05). There was no statistical significance in above indexes among 3 groups after treatment (P＞0. 05). After treatment, the level of Scr in group B was significantly increased and higher than group A and C, with statistical significance (P＜0. 05). There was no statistical significance in the levels of IVSD, DBP, HDL-C, AST, ALT or BUN among 3 groups before and after treatment as well as the level of Scr between group A and C (P＞ 0. 05). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR among 3 groups(P＞0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Fosinopril, perindopril and benazepril can significantly improve ventricular remodeling in AMI patients, narrowing the heart cavity, increasing systolic pressure, lowering heart rate, reducing the oxygen consumption of the ventricle, with similar effects. Perindopril may increase the level of Scr, so fosinopril and benazepril are safe and suitable for AMI patients with renal function disorder.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the marrow edema and general clinical index,quadriceps muscle area,and the meniscus grade of knee osteoarthritis(OA).Methods 72 patients were collected with knee OA in our hospital, underwent X-ray and routine MRI examination of knee, and the same X-ray and MRI were reviewed at 12 months later in different time point.The K-L grading, bone marrow edema score, meniscal grading and VAS score of each knee joint were evaluated.The t-test and Rank-sum test were used to compare the two groups of general data, Spearman was used to perform bivariate correlation analysis.Results The age and VAS score of bone marrow edema group at the initial follow-up were significantly lower than those without edema group(P<0.05),the degree of marrow edema was moderately correlated with age and VAS score, and was not significantly correlated with other indexes.12 months later, BMI and the area of quadriceps femoris in the group with marrow edema were different from those in the group without bone marrow edema(P<0.05), the degree of marrow edema was moderately correlated with age, quadriceps area and VAS.Conclusion The range of marrow edema was related to age, quadriceps area, BMI index and VAS score in MRI.The MRI measurement could reflect the progression of knee OA more than that of X-ray.It also revealed some factors related to the progression of knee OA.