OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of 46 Chinese pedigrees affected with Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) and provide genetic counseling and reproductive intervention. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were carried out on 87 patients from the 46 pedigrees to analyze the variants of EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Pathogenicity of the variants was assessed based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP). Prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) were provided for couples with identified pathogenic mutations. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: LL-SC-SG-2014-010). RESULTS: In total 17 and 22 pathogenic variants were respectively identified in the EXT1 and EXT2 genes, among which 5 EXT1 and 12 EXT2 variants were unreported previously. Three patients with no family history were found to harbor de novo variants of the EXT1 gene. Twenty nine couples had opted for PGT or underwent prenatal diagnosis following natural conception, and 17 healthy babies were born. CONCLUSION This study has clarified the genetic etiology of 45 HME pedigrees and identified 17 novel variants, which has enriched the mutational spectrum of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Reproductive intervention through PGT and prenatal diagnosis have prevented the recurrence of HME in these families.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Pedigree ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary/diagnosis* ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics* ; Adult ; Exostosin 1 ; Asian People/genetics* ; Genetic Testing ; Exostosin 2 ; Mutation ; China ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Pregnancy ; Genetic Counseling ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; Exome Sequencing ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE To form an expert consensus on the clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors （DTIs） in patients during the perioperative period. METHODS Led by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital （the Affiliated Hospital of UESTC）， a multidisciplinary working group was established. Through literature review and the Delphi method， clinical questions related to the rational perioperative use of parenteral DTIs were identified. A structured design was adopted using the “Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome” framework； systematic searches were conducted in CNKI， Medline， Embase and other databases. Relevant evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was included and synthesized. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment，Development and Evaluation （GRADE） approach， and recommendations were formulated through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys and expert consensus meetings. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS Seven recommendations （each with an expert consensus rate exceeding 90%） on the use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative patients were developed. These recommendations specify drug selection， dosing ranges， key monitoring points， and safety management strategies for parenteral DTIs in various scenarios， including the perioperative period of ventricular assist device implantation， the perioperative period of cardiac surgery， perioperative patients with lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease， the perioperative period of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome， the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid stenosis， the perioperative period of patients with right heart thrombosis， and patients who develop related thrombosis and dysfunction after a central venous catheter insertion. In addition， warning and management pathways for perioperative bleeding and thrombotic events were proposed. This expert consensus， which is formulated based on the best available evidence， provides evidence-based guidance for standardized and individualized use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative period.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant imatinib in the treatment of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

Background/Aims: Chronic constipation is prevalent yet under-diagnosed across Asia, compromising quality of life and burdening healthcare systems. Cultural stigma, varied diets, and limited access to standardized diagnostic tools delay timely care. Methods: The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable in November 2024, brought together experts from 11 Asian countries. The group reviewed epidemiological data, analyzed multinational questionnaire on clinical practice pattern, and conducted structured discussions to identify key barriers and propose region-specific recommendations. Results: Chronic constipation prevalence varies across Asia, ranging from 1.8% in India to 16.6% in Japan, with women and the elderly disproportionately affected. Under-reporting persists owing to cultural taboos and widespread self treatment with laxatives and traditional medications. Although the Rome IV criteria remains the global standard, they may not fully reflect Asian symptom profiles, and diagnosis is limited by scarce motility laboratories. First line therapies such as dietary-fiber optimization and osmotic laxatives are widely available, but newer pharmacotherapies (prucalopride, linaclotide, lubiprostone, and elobixibat) remain costly and unevenly accessible. Biofeedback for dyssynergic defecation is underutilized due to limited availability. Experts recommend expanded regional research on to refine diagnostic criteria, coupled with enhanced physician education and public awareness. They advocate accessibility to second-line and novel therapies that incorporate culturally attuned regional guidelines, and improved access to gastrointestinal motility testing. Conclusions The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable highlighted Asia’s need for region specific diagnostics and management. Addressing diagnostic and treatment gaps will improve outcomes, while ongoing researcher clinician policy collaboration must standardize guidelines, advance research, and ensure equitable care across Asia.

Objective We reviewed and analyzed the epidemiological data of 83 imported dengue fever cases reported in Fengtai District, Beijing, from 2007 to 2025, to delineate their epidemiological characteristics and guide the dengue fever prevention and control strategy in the future. Methods Data on dengue fever cases in Fengtai District from 2007 to 2025 were collected to identify the epidemic factors and characteristics using descriptive epidemiological method. Results All 83 dengue fever cases reported in this region over the past two decades have been imported from abroad or other domestic areas, with Southeast Asian countries being identified as the primary source of imported infections, accounting for 42 cases (50.60%), followed by 15 cases (18.07%) from Chinese provinces other than Beijing. The remaining import sources included 13 cases from South Asia,8 from African countries, and each from Oceania, South America, and Europe. Disease onset was found concentrated between May and November. The sex ratio (male-to-female) is 1.59:1. The age of onset ranged from 14 to 61 years old, with a median age of 36. The largest proportion of cases was observed among cadres and office workers (31 cases, 37.35%), followed by businessmen (13 cases, 15.67%), and householders or the unemployed (10 cases,12.05%). Travel visit was identified as the primary reason for their exposure history. Conclusions All dengue fever cases reported in Fengtai from 2007 to 2025 were imported, with an increasing trend of imported cases in Beijing originating from other Chinese provinces. It is essential to strengthen health education for foreign travelers and returning residents, enhance clinical diagnosis and treatment training for medical personnel, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and reduce mosquito density through active patriotic health campaigns.

Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.

Objective:To explore the influencing factors for skin pruritus and to construct a nomogram prediction model in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:It was a retrospective cross-sectional investigation study. The PD patients who were regularly followed up between July, 2023 and April, 2024 in PD center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were enrolled in this study. The pruritus status was evaluated by the 14-Item UP-Dial Scale. The general demographic data and clinical data were collected. The patients were divided into pruritus group and non-pruritus group according to the presence or absence of skin itching. The differences of clinical data and laboratory results were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associated factors for pruritus in PD patients. The nomogram model was constructed by R software. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test were used to evaluate the performance of the model, and its clinical effectiveness was evaluated using the calibration curve.Results:A total of 315 PD patients were enrolled in this study, with age of (48.0±12.9) years, including 134 females (42.5%). Among them, 161 patients (51.1%) experienced skin pruritus. Of whom, 111 patients (68.9%) had mild pruritus, 34 patients (21.1%) had moderate pruritus, 16 patients (9.9%) had severe pruritus. The age ( t=-2.266, P=0.024), proportion of diabetes mellitus ( χ2=3.910, P=0.048), Charson comorbidity index ( Z=-2.458, P=0.014), blood eosinophil percentage ( Z=-2.385, P=0.017), C-reactive protein ( Z=-2.590, P=0.010), serum phosphorus ( Z=-3.233, P=0.001) and β2 microglobulin ( Z=-2.756, P=0.006) level in the pruritus group were higher than those in the non-pruritus group, and the measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) level ( Z=-3.708, P<0.001) of patients in the pruritus group was lower than that in the non-pruritus group. There were 262 patients in the training set and 53 patients in the validation set. The multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training set revealed that advanced age ( OR=1.032, 95% CI 1.010-1.054, P=0.004), lower mGFR ( OR=0.758, 95% CI 0.648-0.886, P<0.001), higher serum phosphorus ( OR=2.761, 95% CI 1.282-6.024, P=0.010), and elevated blood eosinophil percentage ( OR=1.098, 95% CI 1.012-1.191, P=0.025) were independent factors associated with pruritus in PD patients. The nomogram model constructed based on these indicators demonstrated good discrimination and calibration. In the training set, the area under the ROC curve ( AUC) was 0.757 (95% CI 0.699-0.816), with Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ2=4.979, P=0.760. In the validation set, the AUC was 0.779 (95% CI 0.651-0.907), and Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ2=12.938, P=0.114. Conclusions:The prevalence of skin pruritus is 51.1% in PD patient. Advanced age, lower mGFR, higher serum phosphorus and higher blood eosinophil percentage are the independent influencing factors for pruritus in PD patients. The nomogram model constructed based on these indicators shows excellent predictive performance for skin pruritus in PD patients.

Objective:To analyze the relationship between social function and family support in young and middle-aged patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, the patients undergoing maintenance PD therapy for more than 3 months at the Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, from May to October 2023 were recruited retrospectively. The social dysfunction screening scale and family support self-rating scale were used to evaluate the social dysfunction and family support of PD patients, respectively. The social demographic and clinical data of the patients were collected. Logistic regression analysis model was used to identify associated factors of social dysfunction in PD patients.Results:A total of 359 PD patients were recruited with age of (42.6±9.5) years old. Among them, 197 patients (54.9%) were males, and 33 patients (9.2%) were complicated with diabetes. The dialysis age was 28.8 (13.5, 56.3) months. The score of social function was 2 (1, 4), and the score of family support was (10.5±2.2). There were 199 patients (55.4%) having social dysfunction. There were 224 patients (62.4%) employed after PD. Compared with the normal social function group, the social dysfunction group had significantly lower score in family support ( Z=-2.613, P=0.009), serum potassium ( t=-2.725, P=0.007), urea clearance index ( Z=-2.346, P=0.019) and proportions of married status ( χ2=6.847, P=0.009), pre-dialysis employment ( χ2=3.996, P=0.046) and post-dialysis employment ( χ2=8.331, P=0.004), and higher serum creatinine ( Z=2.175, P=0.030), and proportions of annual household income < 100 000 yuan ( χ2=6.270, P=0.012) and diabetes mellitus ( χ2=4.400, P=0.036). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that family support ( OR=0.828, 95% CI 0.733-0.935, P=0.002), diabetes mellitus ( OR=3.551, 95% CI 1.456-8.658, P=0.005) and serum potassium ( OR=0.559, 95% CI 0.374-0.835, P=0.005) were independent correlated factors of social dysfunction in young and middle-aged PD patients. Conclusions:The prevalence of social dysfunction is 55.4%, and the employment rate is 62.4% in young and middle-aged PD patients. Poor family support, diabetes mellitus and decreased serum potassium level are independently associated with social dysfunction in young and middle-aged PD patients.