OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and genetic characteristics of osteopetrosis (OPT) in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 14 children with OPT. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect pathogenic genes, and clinical phenotypes and genotypic features were summarized. RESULTS: Among the 14 children (10 males and 4 females), the median age at diagnosis was 8 months. Clinical manifestations included systemic osteosclerosis (14 cases, 100%), anemia (12 cases, 86%), infections (10 cases, 71%), thrombocytopenia (9 cases, 64%), hepatosplenomegaly (8 cases, 57%), and developmental delay (5 cases, 36%). Malignant osteopetrosis (MOP) cases had lower platelet counts, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and serum calcium levels, but higher white blood cell counts, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase levels compared to non-MOP cases (P<0.05). Genetic testing identified 15 variants in 12 patients, including 8 variants in the CLCN7 gene (53%), 6 in the TCIRG1 gene (40%), and 1 in the TNFRSF11A gene (7%). Three novel CLCN7 variants were identified: c.2351G>C, c.1215-43C>T, and c.1534G>A. All four patients with TCIRG1 variants exhibited MOP clinical phenotypes. Of the seven patients with CLCN7 variants, 4 presented with intermediate OPT, 2 with benign OPT, and 1 with MOP. CONCLUSIONS Clinical phenotypes of OPT in children are heterogeneous, predominantly involving CLCN7 and TCIRG1 gene variants, with a correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes.
Humans ; Osteopetrosis/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics* ; Child ; Chloride Channels/genetics* ; Mutation ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B

OBJECTIVE: To analyze two families with inherited dysfibrinogenemia, and explore the molecular pathogenic mechanisms. METHODS: The coagulation indexes of the probands and their family members were detected. The FGA, FGB, and FGG exons and their flanking sequences were amplified by PCR, and the mutation sites were identified by sequencing. SIFT, PolyPhen2, LRT, ReVe, MutationTaster, phyloP, and phastCons bioinformatics software were used to predict the functional impact of the mutation sites. Protein structure and amino acid conservation analysis of the variant were conducted using PyMOL and Clustal X software. RESULTS: The thrombin time (TT) of the proband in family 1 was prolonged to 37.00 s, and Fg∶C decreased to 0.52 g/L. The TT of the proband in family 2 was 20.30 s, and Fg∶C was 1.00 g/L, which was lower than the normal range. Genetic analysis revealed that the proband in family 1 had a heterozygous mutation c.80T>C in FGA, resulting in the substitution of phenylalanine 27 with serine (Phe27Ser). The proband in family 2 had a heterozygous mutation c.1007T>A in FGG, resulting in the substitution of methionine 336 with lysine (Met336Lys). Bioinformatics software prediction analysis indicated that both mutations were deleterious variants. PyMOL mutation models revealed that the Aα chain mutation (Phe27Ser) in family 1 and γ chain mutation (Met336Lys) in family 2 resulted in alterations in spatial structure and reduced protein stability. Clustal X results showed that both Aα Phe27 and γMet336 were highly conserved across homologous species. CONCLUSION Heterozygous mutations of FGA gene c.80T>C and FGG gene c.1007T>A are both pathogenic variants, causing inherited dysfibrinogenemia.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Afibrinogenemia/genetics* ; Fibrinogen/genetics* ; Heterozygote ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective： To analyze the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of upper urinary tract calculi patients combined with mild and moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after ureteral stent implantation. Methods： One hundred and six BPH patients who were hospitalized for upper urinary tract calculi and had ureteral stents retained from January 2019 to December 2022 were selected and divided into 2 weeks group and 4 weeks group according to the time of removal of ureteral stents after surgery. Their general clinical data were analyzed and compared. International Prostatic Symptom Scale (IPSS), postoperative ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ), and incidence of adverse events after ureteral stent removal were recorded before and after removal. Results： The scores of IPSS were significantly increased in all patients, and symptoms in urinary tract had improved significantly after discharge (P<0.05). Compared with the 2 weeks group, the USSQ score of the 4 weeks group was significantly increased (P<0.05). And no significant adverse event was observed in the 2 weeks group after the removal of ureteral sten. Conclusion： IPSS score and USSQ score increased significantly during stent implantation in BPH patients with lithiasis. And complications increased significantly over time. Following thorough clinical assessment, early ureteral stent removal demonstrates both safety and efficacy, representing an optimal therapeutic approach in selected cases.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Stents ; Ureter/surgery* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Calculi/surgery* ; Ureteral Calculi/surgery*

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

This article summarizes the unique viewpoints and experience application of the famous and veteran Chinese medicine practitioner,Professor Wang Xinzhi,in treating emotional diseases from the perspective of gallbladder theory.Based on the physiologi-cal functions and characteristics of the gallbladder in Chinese medicine,it is proposed that the"heart mind-gallbladder-viscera"axis dominates the generation and changes of emotions,and it is believed that gallbladder failure is the key pathogenesis of emotional disor-ders.The treatment of clinical syndromes should be based on the type of gallbladder,and emotional diseases can be divided into types of insufficient gallbladder qi,unfavorable Shaoyang,gallbladder and heat excess,timidity-deficiency,and heart-gallbladder indeci-sion,according to clinical manifestations;based on the basic principle of adjusting the functions of the heart,spleen,liver,gallblad-der,kidney and other organs,treatment methods such as tonifying the spleen and kidneys,increasing gallbladder qi,resolving Shaoy-ang,clearing gallbladder heat,warming yang and replenishing qi,calming the mind,resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis should be used,highlighting the joint treatment of the heart and the gallbladder,and the simultaneous regulation of the liver and gall-bladder,so that the mind can be at ease,the gallbladder can be decisive,and the emotions can be harmonious.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of diabetes in the elderly aged ≥60 years in Liaoning Province from 2017 to 2019 and analyze the impact of blood glucose control on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.Methods:A survey was conducted in the elderly aged ≥60 years in Liaoning from 2017 to 2019 to collect the information about the prevalence of diabetes and other chronic diseases in the diabetes patients. The mortality of the enrolled subjects was investigated in September 2023. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between blood glucose control in the elderly with diabetes and the risks of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality.Results:The crude prevalence of diabetes in the elderly aged ≥60 years was 20.2% (2 014/9 958) in Liaoning from 2017 to 2019, and the standardized prevalence rate was 19.9%. The prevalence rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and overweight/obesity in the diabetes patients were 77.0%, 51.7%, and 67.5% respectively. The median follow-up time was 5.5 years, and the all-cause mortality and CVD mortality rates in the diabetes patients were 244.3/10 000 person-years and 142.9/10 000 person-years, respectively. The results of the Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that compared with non-diabetic individuals, diabetes patients had an increased risk of all-cause mortality by 1.68 times [hazard ratio ( HR)=1.68, 95% CI: 1.44-1.94] and an increased risk of CVD mortality by 1.56 times ( HR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.29-1.89). The differences in risks of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality between the diabetes patients with normal fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels and people without diabetes were not significant (all P>0.05). The failure to meet either the FPG or HbA1c target increased the risk of all-cause mortality (all P<0.05). For individuals who failed to meet the HbA1c target, there was an increased risk of CVD mortality (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The comorbidity rate of chronic diseases was higher in the elderly with diabetes than in the elderly without diabetes in Liaoning. Elderly diabetes patients can benefit from good blood glucose control.

Objective:To discuss the anti-fatigue effect of Wujia Shengmai Yin,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:Thirty-six male ICR mice were randomly devided into control group(equivalent volume of distilled water),Shengmai Yin group(500 mg·kg?1 of Shengmai Yin),and Wujia Shengmai Yin group(600 mg·kg?1 of Wujia Shengmai Yin).The body weights of the mice in various groups were detected every 7 d,and the mental states were observed.The rotating rod test and exhaustive swimming test were used to detect the duration on the rod and the swimming time to exhaustion of the mice in various groups,respectively;the levels of urea nitrogen(BUN)and lactate(LA),and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in serum,the levels of liver glycogen(LG),muscle glycogen(MG),and malondialdehyde(MDA),and activities of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in muscle tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by kits;the expression levels of glucose metabolism-related proteins in liver tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:Compared with before experiment,the body weights after experiment of the mice in various groups showed a increasing trend but the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The rotating rod test results showed that compared with control group,the duration on the rod of the mice in Wujia Shengmai Yin group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The exhaustive swimming test results showed that compared with control group,the swimming time to exhaustion of the mice in Shengmai Yin group and Wujia Shengmai Yin group was significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the levels of BUN in serum of the mice in Shengmai Yin group and Wujia Shengmai Yin group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the activities of LDH were significantly increased(P<0.01);the level of LA of the mice in Wujia Shengmai Yin group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with Shengmai Yin group,the levels of BUN and LA in the serum and LDH activity of the mice in Wujia Shengmai Yin group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the levels of LG in liver tissue and the levels of MG in muscle tissue of the mice in Shengmai Yin group and Wujia Shengmai Yin group were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with Shengmai Yin group,the level of LG in liver tissue and the level of MG in muscle tissue of the mice in Wujia Shengmai Yin group were increased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the activities of GSH-Px and SOD in muscle tissue of the mice in Shengmai Yin group and Wujia Shengmai Yin group were significantly increased,and the levels of MDA in Shengmai Yin group and Wujia Shengmai Yin group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with Shengmai Yin group,the activities of GSH-Px and SOD in muscle tissue of the mice in Wujia Shengmai Yin group were significantly increased and the level of MDA was decreased(P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-AKT),phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta(p-GSK3β),and glycogen synthase(GS)proteins in liver tissue of the mice in Shengmai Yin group and Wujia Shengmai Yin group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with Shengmai Yin group,the expression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,p-GSK3β,and GS proteins in liver tissue of the mice in Wujia Shengmai Yin group were significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Wujia Shengmai Yin enhances the anti-fatigue effect by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta(GSK3β)signaling pathways,and improves the body's antioxidant capacity,and increases the glycogen synthesis.

Objective:To establish a linkage prediction model for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DPA1-DPB1 and validate it by using clinical data and follow-up data from unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation donors and recipients, and to explore the clinical application value of the prediction model in transplantation prognosis.Methods:This is a retrospective study. Leveraging the artificial neural network algorithm of NetMHCⅡpan and the DPA1-DPB1 haplotype linkage database of the Chinese population established in our previous research, and incorporating the amino acid FASTA data of DPA1-DPB1 of all known sequences newly published by the Latest International Immunogenetics/Human Leukocyte Antigens, 47 DPA1-DPB1 linkage models were established. Employing next-generation sequencing technology based on the hybridization capture library construction method, HLA genotyping tests for HLA-A, -B, -C, DRB1, DQB1, DQA1, DRB3/4/5, DPB1, and DPA1 (9 loci) were performed on 250 donor-recipients pairs who underwent unrelated-donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Department of Hematology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2016 and September 2021. HLA typing data and clinical information of transplant donors and recipients were retrospectively analyzed to assess and predict the impact of permissive and non-permissive linkage mismatches of DPA1-DPB1 on transplantation prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test was applied to compare the survival curves of overall survival (OS) rates between different groups. Additionally, a competing risks model was utilized to compare the cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease and non-relapse mortality (NRM) across groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to compare the predictive performance of the established prediction model with that of the T-cell epitope (TCE) model.Results:According to the different hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of amino acids, the DPA1-DPB1 linkage model is categorized into types Ⅰ-Ⅳ: type I consists of 6 hydrophobic types at P1-P8 plus hydrophilic type at P9; type Ⅱ includes 17 hydrophobic types; type Ⅲ comprises 9 amphiphilic types; and type Ⅳ consists of 15 hydrophilic types. According to the prediction model, DPA1-matched and DPB1-mismatched donor-recipient cases were classed into P1-matched or P1-mismatched groups. Compared with fully matched DPA1 and DPB1 cases, P1-mismatched patients had a 2-year OS rate of 75% (12/16) versus 96.2%(25/26) (χ2=4.13, P=0.04), and a NRM rate of 4/16 versus 0 (χ2=7.05, P<0.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the 2-year OS and NRM rates compared to DPA1 and DPB1 cases ( P>0.05). The prediction model established in this study demonstrated a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting the 2-year OS rate compared with the DPB1 TCE model ( Z=0.71, P=0.48). In donor-recipient cases where both DPA1 and DPB1 were mismatched, the 2-year OS rates decreased and the NRM increased in both P1-matched and P1-mismatched cases compared with fully matched DPA1 and DPB1. Moreover, P1-mismatched patients had a worse prognosis compared to P1-matched patients. Conclusion:The DPA1-DPB1 linkage prediction model established based on high-throughput next-generation sequencing technology can be used to predict the impact of HLA-DP mismatches on OS and NRM in transplantation, and the prediction performance is superior to the TCE model.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of oral contrast ultrasound in patients with esophageal hiatal hernia (EHH), to screen the diagnostic criteria for EHH diagnosis by oral contrast ultrasound and to evaluate their diagnostic values.Methods:Sixty-one patients who visited the Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery Department of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2023 to December 2023 for symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, belching, recurrent epigastric pain, chest pain, and cough, and who were clinically suspected of EHH and underwent oral contrast ultrasound were retrospectively collected. The internal diameter of the esophageal hiatus, the length of the intraabdominal esophagus (IAEL), the angle of His, the supradiaphragmatic hernia sac, the sign of gastric wall sliding, and the sign of esophageal-gastric ring uplift were recorded by oral contrast ultrasound. All ultrasonographic data were retrospectively analyzed, and the diagnosis of EHH by surgery or with the simultaneous diagnosis of EHH by barium meal examination and gastroscopy were used as the gold standard. The diagnostic criteria of oral contrast ultrasound for EHH were obtained and their diagnostic values were evaluated by ROC curve analysis.Results:The indicators of EHH diagnosed by oral contrast ultrasound were analyzed according to ROC curves as follows: internal diameter of esophageal hiatus >15 mm (AUC=0.913), IAEL≤33 mm (AUC=0.776), angle of His > 90° (AUC=0.735), supradiaphragmatic hernia sac (AUC=0.913), gastric wall sliding sign (AUC=0.827), upward displacement of the esophagogastric ring (AUC=0.721). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, AUC, and 95% CI of the diagnosis of EHH using the internal diameter of the esophageal hiatus >15 mm or the presence of a supradiaphragmatic hernia sac as the diagnostic criterion for the diagnosis of EHH by oral contrast ultrasound were 86.5%, 100%, 88.5%, 100%, 56.3%, 0.933, and 0.838-0.981, respectively. Conclusions:The optimal diagnostic criterion for EHH diagnosis by oral contrast ultrasound is esophageal hiatal internal diameter >15 mm or the presence of supradiaphragmatic hernia sac, which has 100% specificity and positive predictive value. It is recommended to be widely used as a screening test for EHH in the clinic.

Objective To investigate the relationship between nestin expression and microvessel density(MVD)and its value as a potential prognostic marker of glioblastoma(GBM).Methods A retrospective trial was conducted on 50 GBM patients undergoing craniotomy under general an-esthesia in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2020 to March 2023.According to the median nestin H score(Nestin staining intensity × percentage of positive cells),they were divided into H score ≥80.0 group(28 cases)and H score＜80.0 group(22 cases).After 2 years of follow-up,they were also divided into a death group(23 cases)and a survival group(27 cases).The expression of nestin was determined by immunohistochemical staining,and MVD was quantified by von Willebrand factor(vWF)and CD105 immunohistochem-ical staining.Spearman rank test was used to analyze the correlation between nestin expression level and MVD formation,multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was em-ployed to identify the influencing factors for overall survival in the GBM patients,and Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted to analyze the 2-year survival rate of the patients.Results The nestin H score was positively correlated with vWF-MVD(Rho=0.701,P＜0.01)and CD105-MVD(Rho=0.753,P＜0.01).There were no significant differences between the H score ≥80.0 group and the H score＜80.0 group in terms of gender,age,isocitric dehydrogenase-1 mutation,tumor site,tumor location,brain necrosis,tumor volume,edema volume,preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status score,and extent of tumor resection(P＞0.05).The survival group had larger proportions of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 mutation and maximal resection,and lower nestin H score than the death group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Cox proportional hazards regression showed that partial resection/biopsy(HR=4.781,95％CI:2.066-11.060,P=0.001)and increased nestin H score(HR=1.007,95％CI:1.001-1.013,P=0.032)were independent influencing factors for worsening overall survival in the GBM patients.Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis indicated that the cumulative survival rate was lower in the H score ≥80.0 group than the H score＜80.0 group(log rank x2=8.147,P=0.004).Conclusion Nestin overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in GBM patients,indicating more microangiogenesis,which may be a therapeutic target for GBM patients.