Objective:To investigate the correlation between thyroid function and the total cerebral small vessel disease score in the elderly.Methods:This cross-sectional study included elderly people who underwent physical examinations at the Geriatrics Department of Beijing Hospital from April 2019 to December 2020. Participants were devided into 5 groups based on the total score of cerebral small vessel disease: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. General clinical data were collected through physical examination reports and outpatient medical records. All participants underwent a 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scan and data were collected to calculate the total cerebral small vessel disease score. Fasting venous blood samples were taken in the morning to measure thyroid hormone levels. Relationships between thyroid hormone levels and lacunar infarcts, microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), enlarged perivascular spaces, and total cerebral small vessel disease score were analyzed using Spearman correlation. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was also used to analyze factors associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score.Results:A total of 545 elderly individuals were included, with a mean age of (75.16±9.18) years, and 505 (92.7%) were male. The number of subjects with a total cerebral small vessel disease score of 0 were 207 (38.0%), 1 were 182 (33.4%), 2 were 99 (18.2%), 3 were 41 (7.5%), and 4 were 16 (2.9%). Statistical significant differences were found in age, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and the proportion of hypertensive patients among the groups (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that TT3 ( r=-0.138, P=0.001) and FT3 ( r=-0.213, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with total cerebral small vessel disease score. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that age was independently and positively associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score ( OR=1.139, 95% CI: 1.087-1.193, P<0.001), while FT3 was independently and negatively associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score ( OR=0.331, 95% CI: 0.118-0.929, P=0.009). Conclusion:In the elderly population, FT3 levels are independently and negatively associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score.

Objective:To validate the usefulness of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) in detecting the deletion/duplication of the DMD gene in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)/Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) patients. Methods:One hundred and seventy-seven cases who visited the Department of Medical Genetics, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology/the First People′s Hospital of Yunnan Province from April 2018 to November 2023 were collected. All patients had previously accepted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect the deletion/duplication of the DMD gene, including 90 cases of normal control with a negative result of MLPA and 87 cases with the deletion or duplication of the DMD gene (61 cases of DMD and 26 cases of BMD). CNV-seq was performed in a single-blind manner to detect DMD gene deletion or duplication for all of 177 cases to obtain the detection efficiency of CNV-seq in comparison with MLPA. Results:Comparing to MLPA, CNV-seq had a coincidence rate of 88.7% (157/177) for detecting DMD gene deletion/duplication, with a sensitivity of 77.0% (67/87), a specificity and a positive predictive value of both 100.0% (90/90 and 67/67, respectively), a negative predictive value of 81.8% (90/110), and a Kappa value of 0.773. Of the 87 patients with the deletion or duplication of the DMD gene, CNV-seq detected 67 cases with DMD gene deletion/duplication, including 62 cases with deletion and 5 cases with duplication, with fragment ranging from 150 to 750 kb. While CNV-seq missed 23.0% (20/87) of positive cases, mainly due to the involved fragments spanning only 1 to 4 exons, and with a variation size less than 50 kb, below the resolution (100 kb) of CNV-seq. The detection rate of CNV-seq in BMD cases (84.6%, 22/26) was a little higher than that in DMD cases (73.8%, 45/61), but there was no significant difference between 2 subgroups ( χ2=1.211, P=0.271). The results of CNV-seq in normal controls were all negative, and consistent with the results of MLPA. Conclusion:CNV-seq can detect 77.0% (67/87) of deletion/duplication of the DMD gene in patients with DMD/BMD, while the deletion/duplication less than 100 kb may be inevitably unidentified, therefore it is recommended as an assistant screening technique in prenatal diagnosis for DMD gene deletion or duplication.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between thyroid function and the total cerebral small vessel disease score in the elderly.Methods:This cross-sectional study included elderly people who underwent physical examinations at the Geriatrics Department of Beijing Hospital from April 2019 to December 2020. Participants were devided into 5 groups based on the total score of cerebral small vessel disease: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. General clinical data were collected through physical examination reports and outpatient medical records. All participants underwent a 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scan and data were collected to calculate the total cerebral small vessel disease score. Fasting venous blood samples were taken in the morning to measure thyroid hormone levels. Relationships between thyroid hormone levels and lacunar infarcts, microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), enlarged perivascular spaces, and total cerebral small vessel disease score were analyzed using Spearman correlation. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was also used to analyze factors associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score.Results:A total of 545 elderly individuals were included, with a mean age of (75.16±9.18) years, and 505 (92.7%) were male. The number of subjects with a total cerebral small vessel disease score of 0 were 207 (38.0%), 1 were 182 (33.4%), 2 were 99 (18.2%), 3 were 41 (7.5%), and 4 were 16 (2.9%). Statistical significant differences were found in age, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and the proportion of hypertensive patients among the groups (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that TT3 ( r=-0.138, P=0.001) and FT3 ( r=-0.213, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with total cerebral small vessel disease score. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that age was independently and positively associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score ( OR=1.139, 95% CI: 1.087-1.193, P<0.001), while FT3 was independently and negatively associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score ( OR=0.331, 95% CI: 0.118-0.929, P=0.009). Conclusion:In the elderly population, FT3 levels are independently and negatively associated with total cerebral small vessel disease score.

Objective:To validate the usefulness of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) in detecting the deletion/duplication of the DMD gene in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)/Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) patients. Methods:One hundred and seventy-seven cases who visited the Department of Medical Genetics, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology/the First People′s Hospital of Yunnan Province from April 2018 to November 2023 were collected. All patients had previously accepted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect the deletion/duplication of the DMD gene, including 90 cases of normal control with a negative result of MLPA and 87 cases with the deletion or duplication of the DMD gene (61 cases of DMD and 26 cases of BMD). CNV-seq was performed in a single-blind manner to detect DMD gene deletion or duplication for all of 177 cases to obtain the detection efficiency of CNV-seq in comparison with MLPA. Results:Comparing to MLPA, CNV-seq had a coincidence rate of 88.7% (157/177) for detecting DMD gene deletion/duplication, with a sensitivity of 77.0% (67/87), a specificity and a positive predictive value of both 100.0% (90/90 and 67/67, respectively), a negative predictive value of 81.8% (90/110), and a Kappa value of 0.773. Of the 87 patients with the deletion or duplication of the DMD gene, CNV-seq detected 67 cases with DMD gene deletion/duplication, including 62 cases with deletion and 5 cases with duplication, with fragment ranging from 150 to 750 kb. While CNV-seq missed 23.0% (20/87) of positive cases, mainly due to the involved fragments spanning only 1 to 4 exons, and with a variation size less than 50 kb, below the resolution (100 kb) of CNV-seq. The detection rate of CNV-seq in BMD cases (84.6%, 22/26) was a little higher than that in DMD cases (73.8%, 45/61), but there was no significant difference between 2 subgroups ( χ2=1.211, P=0.271). The results of CNV-seq in normal controls were all negative, and consistent with the results of MLPA. Conclusion:CNV-seq can detect 77.0% (67/87) of deletion/duplication of the DMD gene in patients with DMD/BMD, while the deletion/duplication less than 100 kb may be inevitably unidentified, therefore it is recommended as an assistant screening technique in prenatal diagnosis for DMD gene deletion or duplication.

Objective:Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure have a high probability of ventilation failure using conventional non-invasive positive pressure ventilation(NPPV).This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of high intensity NPPV(HI-NPPV)for the treatment of AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure. Methods:The data of patients with AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure(blood gas analysis pH≤7.25)treated with NPPV in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from July 2013 to July 2023 were collected to conduct a retrospective case-control study.The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the inspired positive airway pressure(IPAP)used during the NPPV treatment:a NPPV group(IPAP<20 cmH2O,1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa)and a HI-NPPV group(20 cmH2O≤IPAP<30 cmH2O).Ninety-nine and 95 patients were included in the NPPV group and the HI-NPPV group,respectively.A total of 86 pairs of data were matched using propensity score matching(PSM)for data matching.The primary outcome indexes(mortality and tracheal intubation rate)and secondary outcome indexes[blood gas analysis pH,arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2),adverse reaction rate,and length of hospitalization]were compared between the 2 groups. Results:The tracheal intubation rates of the NPPV group and the HI-NPPV group were 6.98％and 1.16％,respectively,and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant(χ2=4.32,P<0.05);the mortality of the NPPV group and the HI-NPPV group was 23.26％and 9.30％,respectively,and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant(χ2=11.64,P<0.01).The PaO2 at 24 h and 48 h after treatment of the HI-NPPV group was higher than that of the NPPV group,and the PaCO2 of the HI-NPPV group was lower than that of the NPPV group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The differences of pH at 24 h and 48 h after treatment between the 2 groups were not statistically significant(both P>0.05).The differences between the 2 groups in adverse reaction rate and hospitalization length were not statistically significant(both P>0.05). Conclusion:HI-NPPV can reduce mortality and tracheal intubation rates by rapidly improving the ventilation of patients with AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure.This study provides a new idea for the treatment of patients with AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure.

Objective:To analyze the genetic mutation characteristics of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among infants in Kunming.Methods:A total of 15 533 infants (7 994 males and 7 539 females) born in Kunming from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020, with an age range of 2 to 44 days, were selected. G6PD enzyme activity and gene mutation types were detected using fluorescence quantitative analysis, multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA), and Sanger sequencing. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used for quantitative analysis of a newly identified variant family to determine the mutant allele proportion in family members. Meanwhile,the protein structure model and pathogenicity prediction of the novel variant were analyzed.Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0. Specifically, chi-square tests were used for the detection rates of G6PD enzyme activity and gene mutations between different genders. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the comparison of enzyme activity among different mutation types.Results:Among 15 533 infants, 143 cases (129 males and 14 females) were tested positive for G6PD activity, with a detection rate of 0.92% (143/15 533). The difference in detection rates between males and females was statistically significant (χ 2=96.76, P<0.001). Out of 89 enzyme activity-positive cases (83 males and 6 females) underwent genetic testing, 77 (72 males and 5 females) were detected by MMCAand other 12 negative samples were underwent further Sanger sequencing, revealing mutations in 6 samples, all of which were males. Among the 83 individuals with gene mutations, 78 had heterozygous mutations, 1 had a homozygous mutation, and 4 had compound heterozygous mutations. A total of 12 mutation types were detected, with G6PD c.487G>A, c.1024C>T, c.1388G>A, and c.1376G>T being the most common, accounting for 74.70% (62/83) of all mutation types. The average G6PD enzyme activity of c.1376G>T was the lowest, and the differences were statistically significant compared to the average enzyme activity of the other three mutations ( P<0.05). One male infant with a newly identified G6PD c.242G>C mutation was detected, predicted to be pathogenic. ddPCR confirmed that the mother of the affected child was a c.242G>C mutant chimera, with a chimera proportion of 6.66%. Conclusions:In the Kunming region, the predominant G6PD deficiency gene mutation is c.487G>A, with the detection of a novel G6PD c.242G>C mutation. The application of ddPCR technology can assist in detecting the proportion of mutation chimeras.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and associated chronic pain in corticobasal syndrome (CBS).Methods:Clinical data of 8 patients diagnosed as probable CBS or possible CBS admitted to Beijing Hospital during January 2010 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical information included sex, age, course of disease, chief complaint, neurological examination, blood biochemistry, tumor marker, infection and other laboratory tests; the neuropsychological evaluation included Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD); the imaging studies included cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ( 18F-FDG PET). Results:The main clinical manifestations were asymmetrical movement disorders, including rigidity, tremor, myoclonus and abnormalities in posture and gait. Patients showed poor response to levodopa treatment. Among 8 patients, 7 had apraxia, 5 patients had alien hand, and 5 patients had various degrees of cognitive dysfunction. The cranial MRI demonstrated mild cerebral atrophy which was slightly more severe in the contralateral side of the initially affected limb in 7 of the 8 patients. The 18F-FDG PET scan revealed asymmetric decreased metabolism in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobe, as well as in basal ganglia, which was more severe in the contralateral side of the initially affected limb in 5 of the 8 patients. Six of the 8 patients were associated with pain, including dystonic pain in 3 patients, neuropathic pain in 1 patient, musculoskeletal pain in 1 patient, and unexplained pain in 1 patient. Pain was the onset symptom in 1 patient and pain was relieved by taking levodopa in another patient. Conclusions:CBS is characterized by asymmetric dyskinesia and cognitive impairment, and often associated with apraxia, cortical sensory deficits, and alien limb. The MRI and PET are helpful for CBS diagnosis. Pain may be one of the common non-motor symptoms in CBS.

OBJECTIVE: To perform carrier screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) among 3049 reproductive-age individuals from Yunnan region and determine the copy number of survival motor neuron (SMN) gene and carrier frequencies. METHODS: Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to determine the copy number of exon 7 of SMN1 and SMN2 genes and identify those with a single copy of SMN1 gene. Prenatal diagnosis was performed for couples whom were both found to be SMA carriers. RESULTS: In total 62 SMA carriers were identified among the 3049 subjects, which yielded a carrier frequency of 1 in 49 (2.03%). No statistical difference was found in the carrier frequency between males and females (1.91% vs. 2.30%, P>0.05). Respectively, 1.3% (41/3049) and 0.69% (21/3049) of the carriers were caused by heterozygous deletion and conversion of the SMN1 gene. The average copy number for SMN1 alleles was 1.99. Two couples were found to be both as SMA carriers, for whom the birth of an affected fetus was avoided by prenatal diagnosis. CONCLUSION No difference was found in the carrier frequency of SMA-related mutations between the two genders in Yunnan region, which was in keeping to an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Determination of the carrier frequency for SMA and SMN gene variants may provide a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the disease.
China ; Female ; Genetic Carrier Screening ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Variation ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein ; genetics ; Survival of Motor Neuron 2 Protein ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo provide genetic analysis for a pregnant woman with chromosomal translocations and intellectual disability, and to provide prenatal diagnosis for her fetus.

METHODSRoutine G-banding was performed to analyze the karyotypes of the woman and her fetus. Copy number variants were determined with array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH).

RESULTSThe pregnant woman has carried an apparently balanced translocation involving chromosomes 1, 2, 6 and 7, with a karyotype of 46, XX, t(1;2) (p22;p23), t(6;7) (q21;p15). The karyotype of her fetus was ascertained as 46, XY, t(6;7) (q21;p15) mat. Array-CGH has detected a 4 Mb microdeletion at 6q22.1-q22.31 (115 311 507-119 332 956) in both individuals. As the 6q22.1-q22.31 microdeletion may be associated with the main clinical manifestations of the woman, the family decided to terminate the pregnancy. The fetus was male and appeared to have no obvious abnormality.

CONCLUSIONPrenatal diagnosis for pregnant women with translocations and mental retardation is a challenging task. Combined application of cytogenetic analysis and array-CGH may facilitate the diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Adult ; Female ; Fetus ; abnormalities ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; genetics ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Translocation, Genetic ; genetics ; Young Adult

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in piriformis syndrome . Methods Ultrasonography was performed in thirty‐eight patients with unilateral piriformis syndrome and forty healthy volunteers . The morphological structures and the internal echoes of their bilateral piriformises and sciatic nerves were observed and their thicknesses were measured . These parameters of the patients and voluteers were recorded and compared . Results The ultrasonographic images of piriformis and sciatic nerve of the healthy voluteers showed no abnormal change . The thickness difference of their bilateral piriformises and sciatic nerves had no statistical significance ( P > 0 .05 ) . The ultrasonography image of the morphological structure and the internal echo of the sick side piriformis and sciatic nerve of the patients with piriformis syndrome showed a change ,that the sick side piriformis was significantly thicker than the healthy side piriformis [(25 .74 ± 3 .12) mm vs (22 .48 ± 2 .60) mm , P < 0 .05] . The area under the operator characteristic curve ( AUC ) for the thickness difference of bilateral piriformises in diagnosing piriformis syndrome was 0 .896 ,with the optimal cut‐off value of 2 .15 mm . However ,the thickness difference of their bilateral sciatic nerves had no statistical significance ( P >0 .05) . Conclusions Ultrasonography can show piriformis and sciatic nerve clearly . The ultrasonographic images and the thickness difference of the bilateral piriformises is helpful to diagnose piriformis syndrome ,and can provide more informations for clinic .