OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic variants and phenotypic characteristics of patients with Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). METHODS: Twenty two NF1 patients who presented at Enze Medical (Center) Group in Taizhou between 2018 and 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical phenotype and family history were collected for the patients. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the 22 probands to screen the variants of NF1 gene. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of their family members. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: K20230902). RESULTS: The 22 probands were diagnosed between the age of 5 months to 47 years old, and have all shown cafe au lait spots on their skin. Seventeen patients exhibited the phenotype at birth, and 11 had various degrees of neurofibromatosis. Among them, probands 1 and 13 underwent surgical resection of the tumor but had recurred, while proband 12 had amputation due to the huge size and serious impact of the neurofibroma and had no recurrence. Five patients had various degrees of scoliosis. In total 22 germline mutations and one somatic mutation were identified among the 22 families, with 5 variants unreported previously, including 1 nonsense mutation c.1603C>T (Q535*), 3 frameshift mutations [c.7268_7269delCA (Thr2423fs), c.2293del (Arg765Alafs*26), and c.5433_5438delinsGC (Phe1812ArgfsTer50)], and 1 deletion involving exons 41-44 of the NF1 gene and adjacent introns. Proband 13 was found to harbor germline mutation c.6796C>T (Gln2266Ter) and somatic mutation c.1019_1020del (Ser340Cysfs Ter12) in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue, respectively. Among the 22 NF1 probands, 6 had received treatment due to severe illness. Proband 1 had tumor resection in the right upper limb, but was found to have malignant lung tumor and died during follow-up. Proband 12 had multiple recurrence of neurofibroma in the left ring finger. Proband 4 underwent spinal correction surgery due to severe scoliosis. Proband 11 had died due to a central nervous system disease. Among the 22 germline mutations, 6 had led to the occurrence of truncated proteins, which may have a more severe impact on the phenotype. CONCLUSION This study investigated the genetic variants and clinical phenotypes of 22 NF1 families and identified 5 novel variants of the NF1 gene, which has expanded the genotypic and phenotypic spectra of the NF1. Preliminary studies have identified an association between truncated mutations, young age, and severe phenotypes, which may provide important clues for prognosis evaluation. For the clinical diagnosis and treatment of NF1, it is necessary to consider the phenotypic characteristics and genetic testing in combination with genetic counseling and long-term follow-up.
Humans ; Neurofibromatosis 1/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Pedigree ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Infant ; Young Adult ; Neurofibromin 1/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Asian People/genetics* ; Mutation ; Exome Sequencing ; East Asian People

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of exercise on anxiety and depression in cancer patients during chemotherapy, as well as the optimal exercise dosage. MethodsA PICO framework was constructed, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of exercise on anxiety and depression in cancer patients during chemotherapy were retrieved from databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang data, from the establishment to November, 2023. The quality of the literature was evaluated with Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Data were synthesized and analyzed using RevMan 5.3, and the risk of bias was evaluated using Stata 18.0. ResultsA total of 13 RCTs involving 1 340 subjects were included. The scores of PEDro scale were five to eight. Exercise interventions significantly improved anxiety (SMD = -0.70, 95%CI -1.18 to -0.22, P = 0.004) and depression (SMD = -0.89, 95%CI -1.43 to -0.34, P = 0.002) compared to the control group. Subgroup analyses showed that, the exercise effect on anxiety was less than 45 minutes a time (SMD = -0.26, 95%CI -0.46 to -0.05, P = 0.01), more than three times a week (SMD = -0.26, 95%CI -0.46 to -0.05, P = 0.01), and less than twelve weeks (SMD = -0.21, 95%CI -0.36 to -0.07, P = 0.005). For depression, it was less than 45 minutes a time (SMD = -0.69, 95%CI -1.29 to -0.08, P = 0.03), more than three times a week (SMD = -0.69, 95%CI -1.29 to -0.08, P = 0.03), and less than twelve weeks (SMD = -0.52, 95%CI -0.92 to -0.13, P = 0.01). Moderate to high-intensity exercise interventions significantly outperformed the control group in improving anxiety (SMD = -0.21, 95%CI -0.37 to -0.06, P = 0.007) and depression (SMD = -0.21, 95%CI -0.41 to -0.01, P = 0.04). ConclusionExercise interventions can effectively improve anxiety and depression in cancer patients during chemotherapy, and it suggests for high-intensity exercise, less than 45 minutes a time, more than three times a week, and less than twelve weeks.

This comprehensive review synthesizes the latest advancements in understanding inflammatory disorders affecting cerebral small vessels, a distinct yet understudied category within cerebral small vessel diseases (SVD). Unlike classical SVD, these inflammatory conditions exhibit unique clinical presentations, imaging patterns, and pathophysiological mechanisms, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Highlighting their heterogeneity, this review spans primary angiitis of the central nervous system, cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation, systemic vasculitis, secondary vasculitis, and vasculitis in autoinflammatory diseases. Key discussions focus on emerging insights into immune-mediated processes, neuroimaging characteristics, and histopathological distinctions. Furthermore, this review underscores the importance of standardized diagnostic frameworks, individualized immunomodulation approaches, and novel targeted therapies to address unmet clinical demands.
Humans ; Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases/pathology* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy/pathology* ; Vasculitis, Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Vasculitis/pathology*

Objective To explore the effectiveness of"near peer learning"(NPL)in the electromyo-graphy(EMG)teaching module for neurology residents.Methods The Department of Neurology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital implemented an NPL instructional design for a course on EMG for residents from November 2020 to March 2024.This teaching session was held annually,in which senior residents in-structed juniors who were 1 or 2 years earlier in their training.The residents participated in the pre-course/post-course tests and completed a feedback survey at the end of the session.This evaluation method was used to un-derstand the effectiveness of the NPL intervention in EMG teaching.Results Over four years,a total of 83 residents participated.Among them,there were 24 postdoctoral students,52 postgraduates and 7 junior resi-dents.The results showed that the post-course test scores were significantly improved compared with pre-course test scores(74.33±2.43 vs.70.11±2.49,P=0.005),with the most remarkable improvements seen for"tu-tees"(73.84±20.53 vs.70.29±21.46,P=0.020),postgraduates(74.04±22.51 vs.68.97±21.40,P=0.009),first-year residents(70.19±4.02 vs.63.59±3.59,P=0.040)and first-time participating resi-dents(65.23±3.24 vs.60.97±3.21,P=0.030).The post-program feedback showed that both tutors and tu-tees thought highly of NPL,believing that it enabled them to gain knowledge and helped them to improve teaching skills.Conclusions The NPL intervention is suitable for the teaching of EMG,because of its contri-bution to knowledge acquisition and basic clinical skills improvement.The NPL is worth replicating in other teaching and learning programs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the types of genetic variants in six Chinese pedigrees affected with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and analyze their clinical characteristics and molecular pathogenesis. METHODS: Six MFS pedigrees presented at the Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of pedigrees were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the probands and their family members for the extraction of genomic DNA. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variants of the FBN1 gene were verified by Sanger sequencing. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), pathogenicity of the candidate variants was assessed. AlphaFold3 and PyMOL software were used for homology modeling of the FBN1 protein and analysis of its three-dimensional structure and amino acid sequence conservation. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) (Ethics No. 20231002). RESULTS: Cardiovascular system abnormalities were noted in all pedigrees, ocular abnormalities were present in pedigrees 2 and 5, skeletal system abnormalities were presented in pedigrees 1, and 4 to 6. FBN1 gene mutations were identified in all pedigrees, including c.1957_1958dupGT (p.Asp654fs), c.5014T>A (p.Cys1672Ser), c.8135delC (p.Pro2712fs), c.2302G>T (p.Glu768*), c.3473A>G (p.Glu1158Gly) and c.6169C>T (p.Arg2057*), with each involving a different exon. Four variants were rated as pathogenic, one as likely pathogenic, and one as variant of uncertain significance. Among these, c.5014T>A (p.Cys1672Ser), c.1957_1958dupGT (p.Asp654fs), c.8135delC (p.Pro2712fs), and c.2302G>T (p.Glu768*) were unreported previously. Bioinformatic analysis with SIFT and PolyPhen-2 predicted that the c.5014T>A (p.Cys1672Ser) and c.3473A>G (p.Glu1158Gly) variants were deleterious. Protein homologous sequence alignment analysis revealed that the four novel mutation sites are highly conserved across various species. Homology modeling of the FBN1 protein three-dimensional structure indicated that the six variant sites in the amino acid sequence are all close to hydrogen bonds and may alter the secondary and tertiary structures to varying degrees, thereby confirmed the relationship between the variants and MFS. CONCLUSION Four novel variants of the FBN1 gene have been discovered in this study, which has enriched the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of MFS and provided a basis for disease diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; China ; East Asian People/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Fibrillin-1/genetics* ; Marfan Syndrome/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Retrospective Studies ; Adipokines

Objective:To establish an animal model of trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis in SD rats.Methods:A self-designed V-shaped distraction device(distractor)was fabricated with the traction force(N)of 0,1.3,2.2,3.0,4.3 and 5.0 corresponding to the distraction length(mm)of 5,4,3,2,1 and 0 respectively,meeting the trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis requirements in skull of 5-week-old SD rats.The distractor was plased into the sagittal suture of 12 SD rats.Continuous sampling was conducted 1,3,5 and 7 days respectively(n=3)after operation.The tissue changes in the trans-sutural distraction area were observed by HE and Masson's trichrome staining.Inflammation levels were determined using Arg-1 immunofluorescence staining.The early angiogenesis was clarified through co-staining with CD31 and EMCN.Results:A stable trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis model was estab-lished,5 mm distraction osteogenesis width was observed completely within 7 days of distraction.Significant new bone formation was observed at 7 days after operation.Arg-1 expression increased and was concentrated at the bone margins,overlapping with the areas of new bone formation.EMCN expression gradually decreased,and by day 7 CD31 was predominant,indicating the basic maturation of blood vessels.Conclusion:This study successfully constructed a stable and effective trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis animal model,and provides an experimental basis for the investigation of its early continuous histological changes.

To explore the effectiveness of "near peer learning" (NPL) in the electromyography(EMG)teaching module for neurology residents.

We presented an adolescent with recurrent intracranial hemorrhage and skin lesion. The diagnosis was unclear and the treatment was difficult. Through a multidisciplinary effort type Ⅰ interferon disease was suspected and later, an interferon-stimulated gene was further detected. Considering the high morbidity and fatality rate of recurrent intracranial hemorrhage, tofacitinib and hydroxychloroquine were administered. After treatment, the livedo reticularis was significantly regressed. Unfortunately, the intracranial hemorrhage recurred due to a pre-existing cerebral aneurysm, leading to death of the patient. The diagnosis and treatment of this case highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of difficult and rare diseases.

Objective A retrospective analysis was conducted on standardized laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy in liver resection (LLLR) using the "Two Step Two Endo-GIA" procedure.The aim of the study was to improve safety and efficacy of the operation.Methods All patients who underwent LLLR in Department of General Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from May 2014 to July 2018 were included in the study.All patients were divided into laparoscopic group (n=56) and open group (n=44).The operative plan followed the standardized procedure used in our department.Results Of 56 patients,there were 28 males and 28 females.No hepatic hilar occlusion was required and no case was converted to laparotomy.The average age was (55.7± 13.0),tumor diameter (6.3±3.7) cm,liver dissection time (30.0± 10.9) min,intraoperative blood loss (142.3±22.8) ml,and postoperative length of hospital stay (6.1±2.4) d.The average follow-up was (36.6± 10.1) months.One patient developed mild bile leakage and recovered after drainage.The other patients had no serious postoperative complications.The laparoscopic group was superior to the open group in operation time (90.0±17.0 vs.129.3±38.8) min,fasting time (1.5±1.0 vs.2.1±1.1) d,TBil (13.0±2.6 vs.19.0±3.1) μmol/L and ALT (80.0±19.3 vs.200.0±32.1) U/L.Conclusion A standardized LLLR has the advantages of short operation time,good reproducibility and short learning curve.It can be used as a standard procedure at all hospital levels.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Encephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is rare but sometimes fatal. Early diagnosis is difficult using routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, while next-generation sequencing (NGS) is increasingly being used for the detection and characterization of pathogens. METHODS: This study set up and applied unbiased NGS to detect L. monocytogenes in CSF collected from three cases of clinically suspected listeria meningoencephalitis. RESULTS: Three cases of patients with acute/subacute meningoencephalitis are reported. Magnetic resonance imaging and blood cultures led to a suspected diagnosis of L. monocytogenes, while the CSF cultures were negative. Unbiased NGS of CSF identified and sequenced reads corresponding to L. monocytogenes in all three cases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report highlighting the feasibility of applying NGS of CSF as a diagnostic method for central nervous system (CNS) L. monocytogenes infection. Routine application of this technology in clinical microbiology will significantly improve diagnostic methods for CNS infectious diseases.
Central Nervous System ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Encephalitis ; Humans ; Listeria monocytogenes* ; Listeria* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis, Listeria ; Meningoencephalitis* ; Methods