Objective:To identify the genetic causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes in five families and provide a basis for rational guidance on genetic and reproductive counseling.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on five families with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes, where one partner was found to have a cryptic balanced translocation. These cases were identified among pregnant women who underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis at the Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis, Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, from January 2016 to June 2023. Conventional G-banding karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were performed on affected children/fetus samples. Chromosome G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used for parental tracing. Genetic counseling was provided for all cases, and the pregnancy outcomes were followed up. Descriptive analysis was applied in this study. Results:Case 1 involved an eldest son with unexplained intellectual disability, and the CMA results showed an 8.6 Mb deletion in the 4p16.3p16.1 region and a 1.0 Mb duplication in the 7q36.3 region. Unbalanced translocations were detected in the current pregnancies of the other four cases, which were a 6.1 Mb duplication in the 14q32.2q32.33 region with a 1.6 Mb deletion in the 21q22.3 region (Case 2), a 10.8 Mb duplication in the 6q25.3q27 region with a 1.2 Mb deletion in the 15q26.3 region (Case 3), a 1.0 Mb duplication in the 5p15.33 region with a 2.9 Mb deletion in the 6q27 region (Case 4), and a 3.2 Mb deletion in the 1q44 region with a 4.8 Mb duplication in the 19p13.3 region (Case 5). FISH confirmed that either the husband or the wife in each of the five families was a carrier of a cryptic balanced translocation. Further CMA testing on amniotic fluid samples from previous terminated pregnancies of Cases 3 and 4 also indicated unbalanced translocations. Both the current pregnancy of Case 1 and the subsequent pregnancy of Case 2 gave birth to healthy babies after non-abnormal prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling. Cases 3 to 5 are currently preparing for pregnancy.Conclusion:Advances and combined application of genetic technologies will be conducive to improving the diagnosis of cryptic balanced translocations in some families with adverse pregnancy outcomes, providing a sound basis for genetic counseling in future pregnancy.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Objective To explore the differences in curative effect of lanthanum carbonate and calcium carbonate on hyperphosphatemia in patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD)after maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods Patients with hyperphosphatemia after MHD treatment of ESRD were divided into treatment group and control group.Treatment group was given lanthanum carbonate chewable tablet orally,250 mg each time,tid;the control group was given calcium carbonate chewable tablets orally,500 mg each time,bid.Both groups were treated continuously for 3 months.The clinical efficacy,calcium and phosphorus metabolism,vascular sclerosis indexes[brachial ankle pulse wave conduction velocity(baPWV),ankle brachial index(ABI),homocystine(Hcy)],serum renal function indexes[[32 microglobulin(β2-MG),serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)],serum inflammation indexes[hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6)],and the safety was evaluated.Results There were 104 cases in the treatment group and 96 cases in the control group.After treatment,the effective rate of the treatment group was 94.23％(98 cases/104 cases)higher than that of the control group 85.42％(82 cases/96 cases),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the serum phosphorus levels of treatment group and control group were(1.42±0.19)and(1.68±0.20)mmol·L-1,respectively;the serum calcium levels were(2.32±0.30)and(2.49±0.24)mmol·L-1,respectively;the product of calcium and phosphorus were(49.28±6.25)and(52.05±5.60)mg2·dL-2,respectively;the baPWV levels were(1 560.72±114.90)and(1 613.49±109.77)cm·s-1,respectively;ABI levels were 1.20±0.09 and 1.17±0.07,respectively;Hcy levels were(32.02±3.21)and(34.84±2.89)μmol·L-1,respectively.Compared with the control group,there were statistically significant differences in the above indexes in treatment groups(all P＜0.05).After treatment,there was no significant difference in levels of renal function indexes(β2-MG,SCr,BUN)and inflammatory indexes(hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6)between the two groups(all P＞0.05).The adverse drug reactions of the treatment group were mainly diarrhea and rash;and the adverse drug reactions of the control group were mainly diarrhea and hypercalcemia.The difference in incidence of adverse drug reactions between control group and treatment group was not statistically significant(2.88％vs 3.13％,P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with calcium carbonate,improvement effect of lanthanum carbonate is better on phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in MHD patients with ESRD and hyperphosphatemia,which can delay the progression of vascular sclerosis.

Objective·To investigate the predictive value of the Clinical Frailty Scale(CFS)in the long term outcomes in acute myocardial infarction(AMI)patients who completed in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation(CR).Methods·A total of 501 AMI patients treated in the Cardiology Center of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University of Medicine from May 2020 to May 2022 were prospectively enrolled,with their baseline clinical data collected.The patients completed graded in-hospital CR and were assessed by CFS based on their completion of CR before discharge.Patients were then categorized into three groups(norm group,vulnerable group and frail group)according to their CFS level.The difference in 1-year major cardiovascular event(all-cause death and re-hospitalization for heart failure)rates among the three groups was investigated.Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the effective risk factors relevant to the outcomes,and receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to analyze the prognostic value.Finally,an optimal prediction model was developed.Results·The CFS level in AMI patients who completed CR was positively correlated with age and peak pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(peak proBNP),and inversely correlated with gender difference(P<0.05).Accompanied with the elevated CFS level,the incidence of both outcomes increased,and there were significant differences in all-cause death(2.6%,5.6%and 15.2%,P=0.002),and while no significant differences in re-hospitalization for heart failure among the three groups(19.6%,22.2%and 24.2%).All-cause death of the frail group was significantly higher than that of the norm group(P=0.004),while there was no significant difference between the vulnerable group and the norm group.CFS could sensitively predict the 1-year all-cause death in AMI patients(β=1.89,OR=6.61,P=0.001),and the risk model combined with CFS had the best predictive effect(AUC=0.845,P=0.000).Conclusion·Assessment by CFS in AMI patients who completed in-hospital CR contributes to identifying AMI patients with high risk of all-cause death in 1 year.

During coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, the treatment of severe trauma has been impacted. The Consensus on emergency surgery and infection prevention and control for severe trauma patients with 2019 novel corona virus pneumonia was published online on February 12, 2020, providing a strong guidance for the emergency treatment of severe trauma and the self-protection of medical staffs in the early stage of the epidemic. With the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council renaming "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection" and the infection being managed with measures against class B infectious diseases since January 8, 2023, the consensus published in 2020 is no longer applicable to the emergency treatment of severe trauma in the new stage of epidemic prevention and control. In this context, led by the Chinese Traumatology Association, Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association, Trauma Medicine Branch of Chinese International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Traumatology, the Chinese expert consensus on emergency surgery for severe trauma and infection prevention during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic ( version 2023) is formulated to ensure the effectiveness and safety in the treatment of severe trauma in the new stage. Based on the policy of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council and by using evidence-based medical evidence as well as Delphi expert consultation and voting, 16 recommendations are put forward from the four aspects of the related definitions, infection prevention, preoperative assessment and preparation, emergency operation and postoperative management, hoping to provide a reference for severe trauma care in the new stage of the epidemic prevention and control.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke history have a high risk of cardiovascular events despite anticoagulation therapy. It is unclear whether catheter ablation (CA) has further benefits in these patients. METHODS: AF patients with a previous history of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study between August 2011 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio to CA or medical treatment (MT) based on propensity score. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke (IS)/SE. RESULTS: During a total of 4.1 ± 2.3 years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 111 patients in the CA group (3.3 per 100 person-years) and in 229 patients in the MT group (5.7 per 100 person-years). The CA group had a lower risk of the primary outcome compared to the MT group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74, P < 0.001]. There was a significant decreasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001), IS/SE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, P = 0.033), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.54, P < 0.001) and AF recurrence (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001) in the CA group compared to that in the MT group. Sensitivity analysis generated consistent results when adjusting for time-dependent usage of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS In AF patients with a prior stroke history, CA was associated with a lower combined risk of all-cause death or IS/SE. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the benefits of CA in these patients.

The scientific basis of acupuncture on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating ischemic stroke (IS) is discussed. MSCs transplantation has great potential for the treatment of tissue damage caused by early stage inflammatory cascade reactions of IS, but its actual transformation is limited by various factors. How to improve the homing efficiency of MSCs is the primary issue to enhance its efficacy. As such, the possible mechanisms of acupuncture and MSCs transplantation in inhibiting inflammatory cascade reactions induced by IS are explored by reviewing literature, and a hypothesis that acupuncture could promote the secretion of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) from ischemic foci to regulate SDF-1α/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis, thereby improving the homing efficiency of MSCs transplantation, exerting its neuroprotective function, and improving the bed transformation ability, is proposed.
Humans ; Ischemic Stroke ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Inflammation

Objective: To understand the study method and the baseline characteristics of the survey subjects of Shandong hilly rural natural population cohort study, and provide reference for the research of the prevalence and risk factors of common chronic and non-communicable diseases. Methods: Baseline survey, including questionnaire survey, physical examination, biochemical index examination and blood and saliva collection, was conducted in local residents aged 20-79 years in Kongcun and Xiaozhi townships of Pingyin county, Shandong province, from 2017 to 2019. Shandong hilly rural natural population cohort was established and main baseline characteristics of the study subjects were statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 10 296 study subjects aged 54.45 years were included in the study, in whom 40.6% were males. Among the study subjects, 88.3% had education level of junior high school or below, 62.1% were famers, and 90.7% were married. Smokers accounted for 45.6% of men and 0.9% of women, and drinkers accounted for 65.8% of men and 3.0% of women, respectively. The self-reported rates of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and tumors were 19.8%, 3.2%, 2.8%, 2.7% and 1.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The Shandong hilly rural cohort natural population study provided important evidence for assessing the risk for common chronic and non-communicable diseases and disease prevention and control in hilly rural areas.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Cohort Studies ; Noncommunicable Diseases ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Report

Gualou-Xiebai-Banxia decoction has a long history of medical use for treating cardiovascular diseases in China. In this study, we investigated the protective effect and underlying mechanisms GXB in type II diabetes with acute myocardial ischemia (T2DM-AMI) rats. We hypothesized that GXB may display its protective effect on T2DM-AMI by reducing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) apoptosisviaactivating PI3K (phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase)/Akt (serine/threonine protein kinase B)/eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) signaling. Rats were challenged with a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce a model of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary ligation to induce acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Changes in metabolites were assessed via enzyme-linked immunoassay and biochemical examination. The number and apoptosis rate of EPCs in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Target mRNAs and proteins in EPCs were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that GXB treatment decreased T2DM-AMI-associated changes in plasma fasting blood glucose, muscular enzymes, and blood lipids, and reduced oxidative stress. Furthermore, EPC apoptosis was increased in T2DM-AMI rats and was associated with decreased mRNA and protein levels of PI3K, Akt, and eNOS compared to the controls. Conversely, T2DM-AMI rats treated with GXB exhibited more circulating EPCs and downregulated levels of cell apoptosis, combined with increased mRNA and protein levels of PI3K, Akt, and eNOS compared to those of untreated T2DM-AMI rats. Our study showed that GXB treatment mitigated EPC apoptosis and promoted PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling in T2DM-AMI rats.

ObjectiveGut microbiota plays an important role in Parkinson′s disease, but the mechanisms behind this remain unknown. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of intestinal microbiota in patients with Parkinson′s disease, and to study the changes of intestinal Prevotella_copri and their role in this disease.Methods The study was carried out in 46 patients with Parkinson′s disease and their spouses. The spouse has been living with the patient for a long time, not suffering from any disease. Fecal samples from all subjects were collected using sterile containers. The bacterial DNA was extracted on ice following the Kit protocol. We used the BGISEQ-500 high-throughput sequencing platform to conduct metagenomic shotgun sequencing, to explore the changes of patients′ intestinal microbiota through bioinformatics, and to analyze the function and role of differential microorganisms in disease.ResultsCompared to healthy spouse, the gut microbiota of patients with Parkinson′s disease was significantly changed, which was characterized by decreased Prevotellaceae and Prevotella_copri, but by significantly elevated Bacteroides_stercoris and Escherichia_coli. Prevotella_copri was decreased with age increasing. The correlation analysis showed a significantly negative correlation between the abundance of Prevotella_copri and age, H-Ystage, UPDR total score, and UPDRS Ⅲ score. Results of the random forest model indicated five items including Prevotella_copri had good predictive value for the disease. The functional analysis stated pathways associated with super-pathway of thiamin diphosphate biosynthesis, 4-aminobutanoate degradation. The glucose-1-phosphate degradation and methyl phosphonate degradation significantly increased in patients, while pathways associated with aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, chorismate biosynthesis, thiamin formation, and pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides salvage significantly decreased. Pathways of Prevotella_copri were mainly concentrated in UMP biosynthesis, S-adenosyl-L-methionine cycle, and guanosine ribonucleotides de novo biosynthesis.ConclusionStructural composition and metabolic functions of gut microbiota were significantly changed in patients with Parkinson′s disease. Prevotella_copri plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of the disease and can be used as a potential biomarker for Parkinson′s disease.