Objective To investigate the impact of early surgical intervention on mid-term prognosis in patients with Hirschsprung's disease(HSCR)and to evaluate the risk of Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis(HAEC).Methods From February 2016 to February 2022,230 children with HSCR who underwent one-stage radical Soave surgery in our hospital were divided into two groups according to the surgical age:the ≤4 months old group(126 cases)and the＞4 months old group(104 cases).The basic conditions of the two groups were compared.The mid-term defecation function of the children was evaluated using the Kelly scoring system.The clinical outcomes were analyzed to assess the risk of HAEC.Results There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative defecation function between the two groups of children(P＞0.05).The incidence of postoperative HAEC was 10.32％in the ≤4 months age group and 21.15％in the＞4 months age group.There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＜0.05).The length of intestinal resection,operation time and postoperative hospital stay in the ≤4 months age group were 19.00 cm,83.10 minutes and 6.30 days,respectively;those in the＞4 months age group were 22.83 cm,129.37 minutes and 8.40 days,respectively.There were statistically significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Early surgical intervention for HSCR has no significant impact on mid-term postoperative bowel function.However,early surgery can reduce the extent of bowel resection,expedite the surgical process,shorten postoperative hospital stay and overall disease course,and effectively decrease the incidence of HAEC.

Objective:To explore the genotype-phenotype relationship in a child with Opitz G/BBB syndrome (OS) with mild clinical phenotype.Methods:A child with motor developmental delay as the initial symptom admitted to Xi ′an Children′s Hospital on June 10, 2021 was selected for this study. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the child and his mother. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify genetic variant in the child. Candidate variant were verified by Sanger sequencing to assess inheritance patterns and pathogenicity. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the variant on mRNA and protein expression, respectively, using recombinant expression plasmids generated in vitro. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xi′an Children′s Hospital (Ethics No. 20240045).Results:① The child, a 9-month-and-7-day-old boy, presented with a low nasal bridge, hypertelorism, and difficulty sitting independently. Echocardiography revealed an atrial septal defect. ② WES identified a homozygous variant in the MIDI gene, c. 1483C>T (p.R495X), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and found to be inherited from the mother.③ Recombinant expression plasmids were successfully constructed. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the variant significantly reduced MIDI gene mRNA expression, while WB results indicated that the variant led to the production of a truncated protein. Conclusion:The mild clinical phenotype of OS in this child may be attributed to the mRNA degradation escape mechanism induced by the nonsense variant c. 1483C>T(p.R495X) in the MIDI gene. These findings provide valuable diagnostic insights for this pedigree and contribute to the understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation in OS.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genotype-phenotype relationship in a child with Opitz G/BBB syndrome (OS) with mild clinical phenotype. METHODS: A child with motor developmental delay as the initial symptom admitted to Xi'an Children's Hospital on June 10, 2021 was selected for this study. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the child and his mother. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify genetic variant in the child. Candidate variant were verified by Sanger sequencing to assess inheritance patterns and pathogenicity. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the variant on mRNA and protein expression, respectively, using recombinant expression plasmids generated in vitro. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xi'an Children's Hospital (Ethics No. 20240045). RESULTS: The child, a 9-month-and-7-day-old boy, presented with a low nasal bridge, hypertelorism, and difficulty sitting independently. Echocardiography revealed an atrial septal defect. WES identified a homozygous variant in the MIDI gene, c.1483C>T (p.R495X), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and found to be inherited from the mother.Recombinant expression plasmids were successfully constructed. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the variant significantly reduced MIDI gene mRNA expression, while WB results indicated that the variant led to the production of a truncated protein. CONCLUSION The mild clinical phenotype of OS in this child may be attributed to the mRNA degradation escape mechanism induced by the nonsense variant c.1483C>T (p.R495X) in the MIDI gene. These findings provide valuable diagnostic insights for this pedigree and contribute to the understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation in OS.
Humans ; Male ; Infant ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Microtubule Proteins/genetics* ; Craniosynostoses/genetics* ; Hypospadias/genetics* ; Codon, Nonsense/genetics* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Female ; RNA Stability/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; Esophagus/abnormalities* ; Hypertelorism

Objective:To explore the clinical value of the three-dimensional fat suppression fast spoiled gradient echo (3D-FS-FSPGR) MRI sequence in the preoperative evaluation of congenital radial polydactyly.Methods:The data of children with congenital radial polydactyly who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Orthopedics at Shanxi Children’s Hospital from May 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative X-ray examinations and MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequence scans were performed on the children. Radiologists first described the morphological characteristics of the articular cartilage, and then orthopedic surgeons performed the Wassel classification based on the X-ray and MRI imaging result, focusing on the bifurcation level, morphology, and articular surface of the phalangeal and metacarpal cartilage. The corresponding surgical method was selected according to the Wassel classification, and intraoperative incision exploration was used as the gold standard. Six months after surgery, the surgical outcome was evaluated using the modified Tada scoring system [with a total score of 0-7, and classified as excellent: >5 points, good: 3-5 points, and poor: <3 points; the excellent and good rate = (excellent + good) cases/total number of cases × 100%]. The appearance, function and recurrence of the operated finger were evaluated 1 year after surgery. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS 26.0 software, and the Kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the consistency of the Wassel classification result between radiographs, MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequences and intraoperative exploration respectively.Results:A total of 45 children (55 fingers) with congenital radial polydactyly were enrolled, including 25 males and 20 females, aged 5 to 60 months, with the median age of 9 months. Unilateral findings were seen in 35 cases and bilateral findings in 10 cases. MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR imaging sequences clearly demonstrated the level of cartilage bifurcation and bone tissue growth and development, which were consistent with intraoperative exploration findings. The accuracy of the MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR Wassel classification was 100% (55/55), and the accuracy of the X-ray Wassel classification was 81.8% (45/55). Disagreements were found in the classifications of five fingers: three with X-ray classifications of Wassel type Ⅳ but actually classified as type Ⅲ, and two with X-ray classifications of Wassel type Ⅳ but actually classified as type Ⅴ. The Kappa coefficients were all >0.85. All patients were followed up for 1 year. The modified Tada score showed excellent in 41 fingers, good in 6 fingers, and poor in 8 fingers, for an excellent and good rate of 85.5% (47/55). At final follow-up, the reconstructed thumbs showed significant improvement in appearance, with normal bone axis restoration, no deviation of the digits, and normal nail appearance. There was no significant scarring or contracture. Functions of thumb flexion, extension, grasping, and opposition were good. There was no postoperative deformity or recurrence.Conclusion:MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequences can accurately classify congenital radial polydactyly preoperatively, optimize the surgical incision and osteotomy alignment, and achieve excellent surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND:In our previous experiments,it was found that transplantation of young adipose stem cells into aged mice would have weight loss effect and improve the inflammatory state in aged mice. Therefore,we speculate that insulin-like growth factor 1 may play an important role in aging and obesity. OBJECTIVE:To explore the anti-obesity effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 in naturally aging mice. METHODS:(1) Bioinformatics analysis:Sequencing of adipose tissue from obese patients in the GEO database and transcriptomic sequencing of young mouse adipose stem cells and old adipose stem cells were conducted to analyze insulin-like growth factor 1 expression. (2) Animal experiment verification:Six young C57BL/6J mice and twelve aged C57BL/6J mice (20 months old) were selected. Abdominal adipose tissue and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 expression in young and aged mice were examined by ELISA and qRT-PCR. All the 12 aged mice were randomly divided into two groups with 6 mice in each group:the experimental group was given insulin-like growth factor 1 (50 μg/kg) for 4 continuous weeks,while the control group was given the same amount of phosphate buffer saline. The body mass changes of mice were monitored regularly,glucose tolerance was measured at the end of the experiment,and serum inflammatory factors and inflammatory factors in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes in the mouse liver,kidney and abdominal white adipose tissue. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by qRT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Obese patients showed lowly expressed insulin-like growth factor 1 in adipose tissue,but the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 increased after weight loss surgery. Insulin-like growth factor 1 expressed lowly in aged adipose stem cells. Insulin-like growth factor 1 also showed a low expression in adipose tissue and serum of aged mice. Injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein could significantly reduce the body mass of aged mice and improve insulin resistance. Pathological sections of the liver of aged mice revealed fat accumulation. After injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein,fat accumulation was significantly improved and the size of fat droplets in adipose tissue was significantly reduced. Insulin-like growth factor 1 injection significantly reduced the expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 6 in aged mice,and significantly increased the expression of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in adipose tissue of aged mice. To conclude,exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 can reduce body mass,reduce fat droplet size in adipose tissue,and improve liver fat accumulation in aged mice,thereby improving their inflammatory status. Exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 may activate the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to improve the inflammatory symptoms in aged mice,thereby improving obesity in naturally aging mice.

BACKGROUND:In our previous experiments,it was found that transplantation of young adipose stem cells into aged mice would have weight loss effect and improve the inflammatory state in aged mice. Therefore,we speculate that insulin-like growth factor 1 may play an important role in aging and obesity. OBJECTIVE:To explore the anti-obesity effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 in naturally aging mice. METHODS:(1) Bioinformatics analysis:Sequencing of adipose tissue from obese patients in the GEO database and transcriptomic sequencing of young mouse adipose stem cells and old adipose stem cells were conducted to analyze insulin-like growth factor 1 expression. (2) Animal experiment verification:Six young C57BL/6J mice and twelve aged C57BL/6J mice (20 months old) were selected. Abdominal adipose tissue and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 expression in young and aged mice were examined by ELISA and qRT-PCR. All the 12 aged mice were randomly divided into two groups with 6 mice in each group:the experimental group was given insulin-like growth factor 1 (50 μg/kg) for 4 continuous weeks,while the control group was given the same amount of phosphate buffer saline. The body mass changes of mice were monitored regularly,glucose tolerance was measured at the end of the experiment,and serum inflammatory factors and inflammatory factors in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes in the mouse liver,kidney and abdominal white adipose tissue. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by qRT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Obese patients showed lowly expressed insulin-like growth factor 1 in adipose tissue,but the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 increased after weight loss surgery. Insulin-like growth factor 1 expressed lowly in aged adipose stem cells. Insulin-like growth factor 1 also showed a low expression in adipose tissue and serum of aged mice. Injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein could significantly reduce the body mass of aged mice and improve insulin resistance. Pathological sections of the liver of aged mice revealed fat accumulation. After injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein,fat accumulation was significantly improved and the size of fat droplets in adipose tissue was significantly reduced. Insulin-like growth factor 1 injection significantly reduced the expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 6 in aged mice,and significantly increased the expression of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in adipose tissue of aged mice. To conclude,exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 can reduce body mass,reduce fat droplet size in adipose tissue,and improve liver fat accumulation in aged mice,thereby improving their inflammatory status. Exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 may activate the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to improve the inflammatory symptoms in aged mice,thereby improving obesity in naturally aging mice.

Objective:To explore the genotype-phenotype relationship in a child with Opitz G/BBB syndrome (OS) with mild clinical phenotype.Methods:A child with motor developmental delay as the initial symptom admitted to Xi ′an Children′s Hospital on June 10, 2021 was selected for this study. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the child and his mother. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify genetic variant in the child. Candidate variant were verified by Sanger sequencing to assess inheritance patterns and pathogenicity. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the variant on mRNA and protein expression, respectively, using recombinant expression plasmids generated in vitro. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xi′an Children′s Hospital (Ethics No. 20240045).Results:① The child, a 9-month-and-7-day-old boy, presented with a low nasal bridge, hypertelorism, and difficulty sitting independently. Echocardiography revealed an atrial septal defect. ② WES identified a homozygous variant in the MIDI gene, c. 1483C>T (p.R495X), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and found to be inherited from the mother.③ Recombinant expression plasmids were successfully constructed. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the variant significantly reduced MIDI gene mRNA expression, while WB results indicated that the variant led to the production of a truncated protein. Conclusion:The mild clinical phenotype of OS in this child may be attributed to the mRNA degradation escape mechanism induced by the nonsense variant c. 1483C>T(p.R495X) in the MIDI gene. These findings provide valuable diagnostic insights for this pedigree and contribute to the understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation in OS.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of zoledronic acid in patients with Paget′s disease of bone based on clinical data from a single medical center.Methods:This retrospective study included 24 patients diagnosed with Paget′s disease of bone and treated with zoledronic acid at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2009 and June 2020. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, treatment efficacy, and safety outcomes were collected. The primary efficacy measure was serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP) levels. Treatment was considered effective if ALP levels returned to normal or decreased by more than 75% from baseline in the difference between the ALP level and its normal median value.Results:Among the 24 patients with Paget′s bone disease, the most commonly affected site was the skull(in 17 cases). All patients received a single 5 mg intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid. Serum ALP levels significantly decreased after treatment. Among the 15 patients who completed at least 3 months of follow-up, all achieved treatment success. The median time for serum ALP levels to reach the target was 13.1(9.4, 26.1) weeks. In 12 patients, ALP levels normalized within a medium of 16.9(11.5, 37.3) weeks, and remained stable over a medium follow-up of 4.56(2.42, 5.71) years. The most common side effects were hypocalcemia(21 cases, 87.5%) and flu-like symptoms(17 cases, 70.8%). Seven patients had severe hypocalcemia(serum calcium<1.75 mmol/L), and they had higher baseline levels of ALP, calcium, and phosphorus compared to those with mild hypocalcemia.Conclusions:Zoledronic acid 5 mg intravenous infusion effectively controlled disease activity in patients with Paget′s disease of bone. Generally, Most patients achieved treatment goals within 3-4 months, with sustained remission for a median of 4 years. Hypocalcemia was the most frequent side effect, underscoring the importance of timely calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

Objective:To investigate the ameliorative effects of N-acetyl-D-mannosamine(ManNAc) on glucose and lipid metabolic disorders in obese mice.Methods:In vivo experiments were conducted using 21 four-week-old C57BL/6JGpt mice, randomly divided into three groups( n=7 per group): a normal control group, a high-fat diet(HFD) control grooup, and a ManNAc treatment group(400 mg·kg -1·d -1). The intervention lasted for 20 weeks. Body weight, food intake, and fasting blood glucose levels were monitored weekly. Glucose tolerance tests(GTT), insulin sensitivity tests(ITT), and respiratory metabolism monitoring were performed in the 17th, 18th, and 19th weeks, respectively. At the end of the experiment, whole-body fat distribution was assessed, and serum lipid profiles were measured. Liver and adipose tissue weights were recorded, and histological analyses including HE staining of liver, adipose and pancreatic tissues were performed. Liver transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR) were conducted to evaluate hepatic gene expression. In vitro, a hepatic steatosis model was established by inducing HepG2 cell with 0.4 mmol/L oleic acid, followed by treatment with 500 μg/mL ManNAc. Lipid accumulation was assessed using BODIPY staining, and the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was quantified by qPCR. Results:ManNAc administration attenuated HFD-induced weight gain, reduced total body fat volume, and decreased liver and adipose tissue weights as well as intracellular lipid accumulation. Pancreatic islet numbers increased, while fasting blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity significantly improved. Serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels were decreased, accompanied by enhanced energy expenditure. Additionally, hepatic expression of Cd36, Fabp3, and Scd1 was downregulated. In vitro, ManNAc significantly reduced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and downregulated the expression of Cd36, Fabp3, and Scd1 genes.Conclusion:ManNAc may improve glucose and lipid metabolism by modulating the PPARs-mediated fatty acid metabolic pathway, reducing lipogenesis, promoting fatty acid oxidation and energy expenditure, and enhancing insulin sensitivity, ultimately ameliorating disorders in obese mice.