1.Establishment of a pediatric diagnostic model for McCune-Albright syndrome based on bone metabolism indicators and machine learning
Jie LU ; Ni ZHEN ; Wenli LU ; Congcong XIA ; Yunzhe WU ; Jian WEI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(10):823-829
Objective:To develop a multi-parameter diagnostic model for pediatric McCune-Albright syndrome(MAS) using machine learning techniques based on laboratory data from MAS patients, with the goal of providing a rapid and reliable auxiliary diagnostic tool for clinical practice.Methods:In this retrospective study, 232 children diagnosed with MAS at the Department of Pediatrics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from March 2023 to November 2024 were enrolled as the positive group. After removing duplicate or missing data, 119 cases were finally selected for statistical analysis as the positive group. Meanwhile, 113 children with normal physical examinations during the same period were selected as the control group. The clinical manifestations of the classic " triad" in the positive group were documented. Fasting serum samples were obtained from both groups at 8: 00 AM for laboratory testing, including bone metabolism-related and hormone-related indicators, which served as candidate features. Baseline descriptive analysis was conducted on the hormone-related indicators. For the bone metabolism indicators, six machine learning models—support vector machine(SVM), XGBoost, decision tree, random forest, Logistic regression, and K-nearest neighbor(KNN)—were constructed using R software. XGBoost subgroup analysis was performed based on the triad symptoms. The contribution of individual features to model predictions was visualized using SHAP diagrams. Results:SHAP visualization indicated that age, serum phosphorus, osteocalcin, and β-C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen had the greatest average impact on model predictions. Among the six models, the SVM model achieved the highest diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 0.742 9, a specificity of 0.909 1, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.917.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that machine learning models, based on data from the positive patients and normal controls, can effectively distinguish MAS patients from healthy controls. The diagnostic model developed offers clinicians a valuable tool for early detection of MAS in children, contributing to earlier diagnosis, timely intervention, and improved clinical management.
2.ACTH-independent Cushing′s syndrome caused by a GNAS hotspot mutation: Case reports of two rare patients with McCune-Albright syndrome complicated by Cushing′s syndrome and literature review
Ziwei CHEN ; Congcong XIA ; Ning PAN ; Zhuozhou CUI ; Li JIANG ; Ni ZHEN ; Yuan XIAO ; Zhiya DONG ; Xiaoyu MA ; Wenli LU
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(6):497-504
McCune-Albright syndrome(MAS) is a postzygotic somatic mutation disorder caused by activating mutations in the GNAS gene, which encodes the α subunit of the stimulatory G protein. Its clinical features typically include polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, cafe-au-lait skin pigmentation, and endocrine hyperactivity, such as Cushing′s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and growth hormone excess. Here, we report two rare cases of MAS complicated with adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)-independent Cushing syndrome, and provide a review and analysis of previously reported MAS cases associated with Cushing′s syndrome.
3.Imaging characteristics of fibrous dysplasia in children with McCune-Albright syndrome and its correlation with serum bone metabolism markers
Naiyi ZHU ; Congcong XIA ; Lan ZHU ; Qiyuan BAO ; Ni ZHEN ; Wenli LU ; Xiaolei ZHU
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(9):755-760
Objective:To investigate the imaging characteristics of fibrous dysplasia(FD) in children with McCune-Albright syndrome(MAS) and the correlation between FD severity and bone metabolism markers, so as to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A total of 46 children(38 females and 8 males) with MAS with FD who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2010 to December 2016 were included in the retrospective study, and all of them met the diagnostic criteria for either the MAS triad or dual manifestations. The extent and characteristics of FD lesions were evaluated by imaging analysis(X-ray and CT). The distribution of café-au-lait spots and endocrine abnormalities were recorded. The serum bone metabolism levels [total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide(TP1NP), osteocalcin, β-C-terminal telopeptide(β-CTX), alkaline phosphatase(ALP)], and other related indicators such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and fibroblast growth factor(FGF23) levels were detected, and the association between FD severity and indicators was evaluated by Spearman correlation analysis.Results:Among the 46 children, there were 24 cases of triad(FD+ café-au-lait spots + precocious puberty) and 22 cases of dual manifestations(11 cases of FD+ café-au-lait spots or precocious puberty). The age of onset of FD patients(24 cases) with bilateral long bones and skull FD was significantly earlier than that in the unilateral FD group [(3.33±1.34)years vs(5.26±2.34)years, P<0.01], and all of them had extensive café-au-lait spots across the midline. Polyostotic FD accounted for 71.7%(33/46), mainly cystic expansive lesions involving the femur(30 cases) and tibia(24 cases), and skull FD(25 cases) mostly showed ground-glass changes; Monostotic FD(13 cases) was more common in the skull(5 cases) and phalanges(5 cases). FD severity was significantly positively correlated with ALP( ρ=0.554, P=0.002), and negatively correlated with serum phosphorus( ρ=-0.522, P=0.006). All 6 children with severe fractures had FGF23-mediated hypophosphatemia [(1.03±0.12) mmol/L vs control(1.52±0.15) mmol/L, P=0.003]. Conclusions:Extensive café-au-lait spots(across the midline) in children with MAS are strongly associated with early-onset polyostotic FD; FD severity was strongly associated with bone turnover markers(TP1NP, β-CTX, ALP) and FGF23-mediated hypophosphatemia. Early comprehensive skeletal assessment and regular FGF23 monitoring are recommended for children with MAS presenting with extensive cutaneous café-au-lait spots.
4.Xiaoyukang Capsule Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Apoptosis After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rats by JNK/c-JUN Signaling Pathway
Wenli CUI ; Yae CHANG ; Yuanhang XU ; Ni ZHAO ; Yafeng WANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(2):192-199
Objective To investigate the effects of Xiaoyukang capsule on neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis after Intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)in rats by regulating JNK/c-JUN signaling pathway.Methods Adult male SD rats were intrastriatally injected with bacterial collagenase Ⅶ to induce an ICH model and they were randomly divided into blank control group,model control group,Xiaoyukang capsule small dose group,medium dose group,and large dose group.Neurobehavioral tests,body mass measurements,hematoma volume statistics,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,immunofluorescence,deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and Western Blotting were performed after 3 and 5 days,respectively.Results Compared with the blank control group,the rats in the model control group had severe neurobehavioral defects and weight loss(P<0.05).The arrangement of neurons in brain tissue was disordered,and there was microglia/macrophages activation,neutrophil infiltration,neuronal apoptosis(P<0.05).The levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and the expression of p-JNK,p-c-JUN,Bax,Caspase-3 and Cleaved Caspase-3 protein around hematoma were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model control group,Xiaoyukang capsule large dose group significantly improved the neurobehavioral function of rats,promoted weight recovery and hematoma absorption(P<0.05).Reduce the pathological injury of brain tissue,inhibition of microglia/macrophages activation,neutrophil infiltration and neuronal apoptosis(P<0.05).In addition,the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and the expression of p-JNK,p-c-JUN,Bax,Caspase-3,Cleaved Caspase-3 protein around hematoma were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Xiaoyukang capsule can improve neurobehavioral defects in ICH rats,promote body mass recovery and hematoma absorption,reduce pathological damage of brain tissue,inhibit microglia/macrophage activation and neutrophil infiltration,its mechanism may be achieved by inhibiting JNK/c-JUN-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis.
5.Xiaoyukang Capsule Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Apoptosis After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rats by JNK/c-JUN Signaling Pathway
Wenli CUI ; Yae CHANG ; Yuanhang XU ; Ni ZHAO ; Yafeng WANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(2):192-199
Objective To investigate the effects of Xiaoyukang capsule on neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis after Intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)in rats by regulating JNK/c-JUN signaling pathway.Methods Adult male SD rats were intrastriatally injected with bacterial collagenase Ⅶ to induce an ICH model and they were randomly divided into blank control group,model control group,Xiaoyukang capsule small dose group,medium dose group,and large dose group.Neurobehavioral tests,body mass measurements,hematoma volume statistics,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,immunofluorescence,deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and Western Blotting were performed after 3 and 5 days,respectively.Results Compared with the blank control group,the rats in the model control group had severe neurobehavioral defects and weight loss(P<0.05).The arrangement of neurons in brain tissue was disordered,and there was microglia/macrophages activation,neutrophil infiltration,neuronal apoptosis(P<0.05).The levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and the expression of p-JNK,p-c-JUN,Bax,Caspase-3 and Cleaved Caspase-3 protein around hematoma were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model control group,Xiaoyukang capsule large dose group significantly improved the neurobehavioral function of rats,promoted weight recovery and hematoma absorption(P<0.05).Reduce the pathological injury of brain tissue,inhibition of microglia/macrophages activation,neutrophil infiltration and neuronal apoptosis(P<0.05).In addition,the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and the expression of p-JNK,p-c-JUN,Bax,Caspase-3,Cleaved Caspase-3 protein around hematoma were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Xiaoyukang capsule can improve neurobehavioral defects in ICH rats,promote body mass recovery and hematoma absorption,reduce pathological damage of brain tissue,inhibit microglia/macrophage activation and neutrophil infiltration,its mechanism may be achieved by inhibiting JNK/c-JUN-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis.
6.Establishment of a pediatric diagnostic model for McCune-Albright syndrome based on bone metabolism indicators and machine learning
Jie LU ; Ni ZHEN ; Wenli LU ; Congcong XIA ; Yunzhe WU ; Jian WEI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(10):823-829
Objective:To develop a multi-parameter diagnostic model for pediatric McCune-Albright syndrome(MAS) using machine learning techniques based on laboratory data from MAS patients, with the goal of providing a rapid and reliable auxiliary diagnostic tool for clinical practice.Methods:In this retrospective study, 232 children diagnosed with MAS at the Department of Pediatrics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from March 2023 to November 2024 were enrolled as the positive group. After removing duplicate or missing data, 119 cases were finally selected for statistical analysis as the positive group. Meanwhile, 113 children with normal physical examinations during the same period were selected as the control group. The clinical manifestations of the classic " triad" in the positive group were documented. Fasting serum samples were obtained from both groups at 8: 00 AM for laboratory testing, including bone metabolism-related and hormone-related indicators, which served as candidate features. Baseline descriptive analysis was conducted on the hormone-related indicators. For the bone metabolism indicators, six machine learning models—support vector machine(SVM), XGBoost, decision tree, random forest, Logistic regression, and K-nearest neighbor(KNN)—were constructed using R software. XGBoost subgroup analysis was performed based on the triad symptoms. The contribution of individual features to model predictions was visualized using SHAP diagrams. Results:SHAP visualization indicated that age, serum phosphorus, osteocalcin, and β-C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen had the greatest average impact on model predictions. Among the six models, the SVM model achieved the highest diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 0.742 9, a specificity of 0.909 1, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.917.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that machine learning models, based on data from the positive patients and normal controls, can effectively distinguish MAS patients from healthy controls. The diagnostic model developed offers clinicians a valuable tool for early detection of MAS in children, contributing to earlier diagnosis, timely intervention, and improved clinical management.
7.ACTH-independent Cushing′s syndrome caused by a GNAS hotspot mutation: Case reports of two rare patients with McCune-Albright syndrome complicated by Cushing′s syndrome and literature review
Ziwei CHEN ; Congcong XIA ; Ning PAN ; Zhuozhou CUI ; Li JIANG ; Ni ZHEN ; Yuan XIAO ; Zhiya DONG ; Xiaoyu MA ; Wenli LU
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(6):497-504
McCune-Albright syndrome(MAS) is a postzygotic somatic mutation disorder caused by activating mutations in the GNAS gene, which encodes the α subunit of the stimulatory G protein. Its clinical features typically include polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, cafe-au-lait skin pigmentation, and endocrine hyperactivity, such as Cushing′s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and growth hormone excess. Here, we report two rare cases of MAS complicated with adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)-independent Cushing syndrome, and provide a review and analysis of previously reported MAS cases associated with Cushing′s syndrome.
8.Imaging characteristics of fibrous dysplasia in children with McCune-Albright syndrome and its correlation with serum bone metabolism markers
Naiyi ZHU ; Congcong XIA ; Lan ZHU ; Qiyuan BAO ; Ni ZHEN ; Wenli LU ; Xiaolei ZHU
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(9):755-760
Objective:To investigate the imaging characteristics of fibrous dysplasia(FD) in children with McCune-Albright syndrome(MAS) and the correlation between FD severity and bone metabolism markers, so as to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A total of 46 children(38 females and 8 males) with MAS with FD who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2010 to December 2016 were included in the retrospective study, and all of them met the diagnostic criteria for either the MAS triad or dual manifestations. The extent and characteristics of FD lesions were evaluated by imaging analysis(X-ray and CT). The distribution of café-au-lait spots and endocrine abnormalities were recorded. The serum bone metabolism levels [total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide(TP1NP), osteocalcin, β-C-terminal telopeptide(β-CTX), alkaline phosphatase(ALP)], and other related indicators such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and fibroblast growth factor(FGF23) levels were detected, and the association between FD severity and indicators was evaluated by Spearman correlation analysis.Results:Among the 46 children, there were 24 cases of triad(FD+ café-au-lait spots + precocious puberty) and 22 cases of dual manifestations(11 cases of FD+ café-au-lait spots or precocious puberty). The age of onset of FD patients(24 cases) with bilateral long bones and skull FD was significantly earlier than that in the unilateral FD group [(3.33±1.34)years vs(5.26±2.34)years, P<0.01], and all of them had extensive café-au-lait spots across the midline. Polyostotic FD accounted for 71.7%(33/46), mainly cystic expansive lesions involving the femur(30 cases) and tibia(24 cases), and skull FD(25 cases) mostly showed ground-glass changes; Monostotic FD(13 cases) was more common in the skull(5 cases) and phalanges(5 cases). FD severity was significantly positively correlated with ALP( ρ=0.554, P=0.002), and negatively correlated with serum phosphorus( ρ=-0.522, P=0.006). All 6 children with severe fractures had FGF23-mediated hypophosphatemia [(1.03±0.12) mmol/L vs control(1.52±0.15) mmol/L, P=0.003]. Conclusions:Extensive café-au-lait spots(across the midline) in children with MAS are strongly associated with early-onset polyostotic FD; FD severity was strongly associated with bone turnover markers(TP1NP, β-CTX, ALP) and FGF23-mediated hypophosphatemia. Early comprehensive skeletal assessment and regular FGF23 monitoring are recommended for children with MAS presenting with extensive cutaneous café-au-lait spots.
9.Effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor combined with rosuvastatin on lipid levels and short-term prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Xiaoya ZHOU ; Guofang CHEN ; Wenli ZHANG ; Hui NI ; Weiwei LIU ; Hui XU ; Chen WANG ; Yinsheng CHEN ; Jue WANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(6):625-633
Objective:To observe the effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor combined with rosuvastatin on lipid levels and short-term prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and to explore the optimal therapeutic regimen in terms of efficacy and safety, so as to provide a basis for clinical practice.Methods:Consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction within 72 hours of onset and lipids≥2.6 mmol/L admitted to Xuzhou Central Hospital from April 2022 to March 2023 were included in the study, and the randomized numeric table method was used to divide them into 3 groups of different treatment regimens, group A (rosuvastatin 20 mg, once a day), group B (rosuvastatin 10 mg, once a day+alirocumab 75 mg, once 2 weeks) and group C (rosuvastatin 20 mg, once a day+alirocumab 75 mg, once 2 weeks). General baseline data, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, modified Rankin Scale score on day 90 and the occurrence of adverse events and serious adverse events were collected from the 3 groups. The primary efficacy outcome was the degree of reduction in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline on day 90. The secondary efficacy outcomes were recurrence rate and time to recurrence in stroke patients within 90 days,etc. The primary safety outcome was hepatic insufficiency (transaminase elevation≥3 times normal) within 90 days. The secondary safety outcomes were death due to stroke within 90 days and fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction.Results:A total of 501 patients were included, 166 patients in group A, 167 patients in group B, and 168 patients in group C. The differences in the baseline data of the 3 groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). LDL-C was reduced from baseline on day 90 in groups A, B, and C, with the differences of -1.5 (-1.7, -1.4) mmol/L, -2.2 (-2.5, -2.1) mmol/L and -2.2 (-2.6, -2.1) mmol/L, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups ( H=1.497, P<0.001); the differences between the group A and group B, and between the group A and group C, were statistically significant ( Z=-11.125, P=0.006; Z=-9.475, P=0.012), while the difference between the group B and group C was not statistically significant ( Z=1.650, P=0.946). The numbers of 90-day stroke recurrence cases (recurrence rate) in patients in the groups A, B, and C were 12 (7.2%), 4 (2.4%), and 5 (3.0%), respectively, without statistically significant difference among the 3 groups ( χ 2=5.773, P>0.05); the recurrence time of patients in the groups A, B and C was (43.0±7.4) d, (66.0±8.3) d and (62.2±5.6) d, respectively, and the differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant ( F=14.096, P=0.001). Compared with the group A, patients in the groups B and C had a prolonged time to stroke recurrence within 90 days ( Z=-3.108, P=0.002; Z=-2.871, P=0.004), whereas the difference in the time to stroke recurrence within 90 days between patients in the groups B and C was not statistically significant ( Z=0.397, P=0.692). The time to stroke recurrence within 90 days was positively correlated with the level of LDL-C on day 90 ( β=0.850, P=0.031). Ten patients (6.0%) in the group A developed hepatic insufficiency, 1 patient (0.6%) in the group B, and 9 patients (5.4%) in the group C. The differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant (χ 2=7.622, P=0.022); and the difference between the group B and group C was statistically significant ( P=0.011). The differences of secondary safety endpoints, death due to stroke within 90 days [1 case (0.6%) in the group A, 0 case (0) in the group B, and 1 case (0.6%) in the group C], fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction within 90 days [3 cases (1.8%) in the group A, 1 case (0.6%) in the group B, and 1 case (0.6%) in the group C], were not statistically significant among the 3 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In patients with acute ischemic stroke, PCSK9 inhibitor combined with rosuvastatin (both medium and high doses) significantly reduced LDL-C levels compared with baseline, and at the same time prolonged the time to stroke recurrence, reduced adverse effects such as hepatic insufficiency, and had a high degree of safety. PCSK9 inhibitor combined with medium-dose rosuvastatin had a better effect.
10.Characterization of inulosucrase and the enzymatic synthesis of inulin.
Dawei NI ; Wei XU ; Ziwei CHEN ; Wenli ZHANG ; Wanmeng MU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2021;37(1):266-275
As a type of prebiotics and dietary fiber, inulin performs plenty of significant physiological functions and is applied in food and pharmaceutical fields. Inulosucrase from microorganisms can use sucrose as the substrate to synthesize inulin possessing higher molecular weight than that from plants. In this work, a hypothetical gene coding inulosucrase was selected from the GenBank database. The catalytic domain was remained by N- and C- truncation strategies, constructing the recombinant plasmid. The recombinant plasmid was expressed in E. coli expression system, and after purifying the crude enzyme by Ni²⁺ affinity chromatography, a recombinant enzyme with a molecular weight of approximately 65 kDa was obtained. The optimal pH and temperature of the recombinant enzyme were 5.5 and 45 °C, respectively, when sucrose was used as the sole substrate. The activity of this enzyme was inhibited by various metal ions at different degrees. After purifying the produced polysaccharide, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis was used to determine that the polysaccharide was inulin connected by β-(2,1) linkages. Finally, the conditions for the production of inulin were optimized. The results showed that the inulin production reached the maximum, approximately 287 g/L after 7 h, when sucrose concentration and enzyme dosage were 700 g/L and 4 U/mL, respectively. The conversion rate from sucrose to inulin was approximately 41%.
Escherichia coli/genetics*
;
Hexosyltransferases/genetics*
;
Inulin
;
Oligosaccharides
;
Sucrose

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