Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic value of serum antimicrobial peptide LL37 and human soluble scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain-containing protein(SSC5D)in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods A total of 100 CHF patients admitted to Suzhou Kowloon Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2017 to January 2022 were selected as the CHF group.According to the prognosis,these patients were divided into good group(n=60)and poor prognosis group(n=40).Another 100 healthy examinees were selected as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of LL37 and SSC5D.The differences in serum LL37 and SSC5D levels between CHF group and control group were compared.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum LL37 and SSC5D.Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the relationship between serum LL37 and SSC5D expression and the prognosis of CHF patients.COX regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of CHF patients.ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of serum LL37 and SSC5D for poor prognosis in elderly CHF patients.Result The levels of serum LL37(771.38±158.25 ng/ml)and SSC5D(15 789.35±1 306.25 pg/ml)in CHF group were higher than those in control group(526.23±115.58 ng/ml,8 938.72±858.29 pg/ml),and the differences were significant(t=12.510,43.830,all P＜0.001).Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between serum LL37 and SSC5D in CHF patients(r=0.629,P＜0.001).The serum LL37 and SSC5D levels in CHF patients were positively correlated with NYHA cardiac function classification(r=0.776,0.751,all P＜0.001).The survival rate of the high-level LL37 group was lower than that of the low-level LL37 group(38.18％vs 86.67％),and the difference was significant(Log rankx2=24.242,P＜0.001).The survival rate of the high level SSC5D group was lower than that of the low level SSC5D group(37.74％vs 85.10％),and the difference was significant(Log rank x2=23.291,P＜0.001).Compared with the good prognosis group,the poor prognosis group had a higher proportion of patients over 70 years old,proportion of patients with NYHA cardiac function class Ⅲ+Ⅳ,and serum LL37 and SSC5D levels,and the differences were significant(x2=10.774,4.118,t=4.723,14.059,all P＜0.05).Multivariate COX analysis showed that age＞70 years(OR=1.515,95％CI:1.224～1.858),NYHA cardiac function class Ⅲ+Ⅳ(OR=1.236,95％CI:1.198～1.963),high level of LL37(OR=1.705,95％CI:1.163～2.582)and high level of SSC5D(OR=1.591,95％C1:1.052～1.916)were independent risk factors for the prognosis of CHF patients.ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of serum LL37 combined with SSC5D for predicting poor prognosis of CHF in the elderly was larger than that of serum LL37 and SSC5D alone,and the differences were significant(Z=2.834,2.168,P=0.005,0.030).Conclusion The serum LL37 and SSC5D levels are increased in patients with CHF,and both are risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with CHF,which can be used as clinical indicators to evaluate the prognosis of CHF.

Objective To investigate the cliuical phenotype and the genotype of forty-one patients with steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency.Methods The clinical data were collected including physical examination,medical history,laboratory test,as well as ultrasonic examination.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes.Sanger sequencing and targeted gene captured next-generation sequencing were applied to detect the SRDSA2 gene mutation.Results All the patients are Han nationality and their ages ranged from 4 months to 11 years old.The karyotypes of 41 patients were 46,XY and all SRY genes were detected as positive.There were 26 (63％) patients manifested isolated micropenis,and the rest of fifteen patients were hypospadias associated with microphallus accounting for 37％.There were 39 patients who carried biallelic mutation.Two cases just identified one allele mutation.Sixteen gene mutation types were confirmed.Among them c.725A ＞ G (p.Tyr242Cys),c.694C ＞ G (p.His232Asp),and c.548-9T＞G are the novel gene types.The allele frequency of c.680G＞A (p.Arg227Gln) is 60％ (48/80).Conclusion The primary manifestations of patients with steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency were micropenis or hypospadias accompanied with micropenis.c.680G＞A (p.Arg227Gln) is the predominantly mutation type of Chinese patient with steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency.

Objective: To study the effect of different doses of low molecular weight heparin on coagulation mechanism after thoracic surgery. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to select patients who underwent thoracic cancer surgery (lung cancer, esophageal cancer, cardiac cancer) from February 2015 to October 2018. According to the Caprini risk assessment model, 101 patients with high risk of deep venous thrombosis were randomly assigned to groups A, B and C. Control group A (34 cases) did not use low molecular weight heparin; group B (34 cases) used prophylactic low molecular weight heparin calcium after operation; group C (33 cases) used therapeutic low molecular weight heparin calcium after operation. The platelet count (PLT), fibrinogen (FIB), prothrombin time (PT), D-dimer (D-D), postoperative thoracic drainage and lower extremity deep vein ultrasound were observed before and after operation. Results: The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was 11.76% in group A, 2.94% in group B and 3.03% in group C, with significant difference between group B and C and group A (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group B and C (P>0.05). The levels of FIB and D-D after operation were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05), but the levels of indexes in group B and C were significantly lower than those in group A (P<0.05). Conclusions Low molecular weight heparin calcium does not increase bleeding and thoracic drainage, which is beneficial to improve the hypercoagulable state of patients and has good safety. However, the use of low molecular weight heparin calcium in different doses (prevention amount and treatment amount) has no significant effect on the occurrence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and coagulation index.

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of stage-Ⅱ Meek skin grafting on adipose tissue after tangential excision in patients with extensive deep burns, and to explore the functional mechanism. Methods: The medical records of 26 extensively burned patients who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment methods, 14 patients were enrolled in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group (10 males and 4 females, aged 27 to 75 years), and 12 patients were enrolled in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group (10 males and 2 females, aged 31 to 76 years). Patients in the 2 groups all underwent debridement of tangential excision, and their healthy adipose tissue was preserved. Meek skin grafting was performed just after tangential excision in patients in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group. In patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group, porcine acellular dermal matrix (ADM) was applied to cover the wound after tangential excision, and 3 days later, it was removed and Meek skin grafting was performed. The times of complement skin grafting and the wound basic healing time of patients in the 2 groups were observed and recorded. In the stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group, the adipose tissue of patients were taken from the wound center immediately after tangential excision and immediately after the removal of porcine ADM, for the observation of structure of the fault surface of adipose tissue through hematoxylin and eosin staining and microvessel density (MVD) through immunohistochemical staining. Data were processed with independent sample t test and Fisher′s exact probability test. Results: (1) The times of complement skin grafting of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group was (1.83±0.17) times, which was obviously less than (3.36±0.63) times in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group (t=2.19, P<0.05). The wound basic healing time of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group was (35.1±2.3) d, which was obviously shorter than (48.8±4.9) d in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group (t=2.27, P<0.05). (2) Immediately after tangential excision, the intercellular substance was few between the adipose cells in adipose tissue of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group. Immediately after the removal of porcine ADM, there was regenerated granulation tissue in the intercellular space of adipose cells of adipose tissue of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group. Immediately after tangential excision, the MVD of adipose tissue of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group was 20.2±1.3 under per 400-time field, which was obviously less than 32.2±1.9 under per 400-time field immediately after the removal of porcine ADM (t=-5.38, P<0.01). Conclusions Meek skin grafting on the adipose tissue in stage-Ⅱ surgery after tangential excision could reduce the times of complement skin grafting and shorten wound healing time of patients with extensive deep burns. The mechanism may be related to the improvement of the recipient condition of adipose tissue.

Objective: To observe the effects of minimally invasive tangential excision in treating deep partial-thickness burn wounds on trunk and limbs in pediatric patients in the early stage post burn. Methods: Clinical data of 40 children with deep partial-thickness burn wounds on trunk and limbs, admitted to our burn ward from January 2016 to June 2017, conforming to the study criteria, were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into conventional treatment group (CT, n=19) and minimally invasive tangential excision group (MITE, n=21) according to the different treatments. The patients in group CT were treated with eschar-reserving therapy firstly. When tangential excision was performed, the roller knife was used, and no necrotic tissue left on the wound bed was considered the proper depth of excision. Razor-thickness skin grafting was performed to cover the wound when adipose tissue exposed markedly after tangential excision. Dressing change was performed within 48 h after the operation and repeated every 2 days. Unhealed wounds were covered by razor-thickness skin grafting. The patients in group MITE were treated with tangential excision in the early stage post burn. The tangential excision was operated with electric dermatome, and the thickness was set at 0.1 mm to excise the surface of eschar until the sporadic punctate hemorrhage on wound surface was observed and some necrotic tissue was left on the wound bed. Porcine acellular dermal matrix was applied after tangential excision. The first dressing change was often performed about 1 week after the operation. Razor-thickness skin grafting was performed to cover the unhealed wounds. The length of wound healing, high fever, antibiotic usage, and hospital stay, times of later operation, and hospitalization expenses of patients in the 2 groups were recorded. The excisional eschar and wound bed tissue of patients in group MITE were harvested for pathological observation. Data were processed with t test and Fisher′s exact probability test. Results: (1) There were no statistically significant differences in length of high fever and length of hospital stay and hospitalization expenses between patients in the 2 groups (t=-1.67, -1.93, 0.31, P>0.05). The lengths of wound healing [(24.8±2.5) d] and antibiotic usage [(4.4±0.7) d] of patients in group MITE were significantly shorter than those in group CT [(33.3±2.5) and (7.0±0.7) d, t=-2.44, -2.44, P<0.05], and times of later operation of patients in group MITE [(0.29±0.14) times] were significantly less than those in group CT [(0.79±0.21) times, t=-2.03, P<0.05]. (2) The thickness of the excisional eschar of patients in group MITE was about 150 μm. The eschar has epidermis and upper dermis. Some necrotic tissue was left on the wound bed. Conclusions The treatment for pediatric deep partial-thickness burn wounds on trunk and limbs with minimally invasive tangential excision using electric dermatome in the early stage post burn can accelerate wound healing, shorten length of antibiotic usage, and reduce times of later operations.

Objective To investigate the clinical and biochemical metabolic features of 12 patients with systemic primary carnitine deficiency(CDSP) and to identify the SLC22A5 gene mutation types of the disease. Method The clinical and biochemical data were collected by retrospective analysis. DNA direct sequencing and multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification(MLPA)were applied for SLC22A5 gene analysis. Result Among 12 patients with CDSP, 3 cases had evident infection factors, 6 cases with convulsions, 5 cases manifested liver hypertrophy, 8 cases with hyperammonemia, and 9 cases showed myocardial damage. All CDSP patients were detected biallelic pathogenic mutation in SLC22A5 gene by direct sequencing. The gene types include IVS2+1G>T, c.3G>T(p.Met1Ile), c.760C>T(p.Arg254X), c.1400C>G(p.Ser467Cys), c.844dupc(p.Arg282fs), c.338G>A(p.Cys113Tyr), c.51C>G(p.Phe17Leu), c.659A>T(p.Glu220Val), and c.1365dupC(p.Thr456fs). c.659A>T(p.Glu220Val) and c.1365dupC(p.Thr456fs)are novel mutations. One female patient was maternal CDSP, her child had abnormal newborn screening. The allele frequency of c.760C>T(p.Arg254X) and c.1400C>G(p.Ser467Cys) were 37.5%(9/24)and 29.2%(7/24)respectively. The MLPA test results of all patients were negative. Conclusion The clinical manifestations are complex and various in patients with CDSP. Point and small InDel(insertions/deletions)mutation constitute the major alteration in SLC22A5 gene. c.1400C>G(p.Ser467Cys) might be another prevalence mutation type in Chinese CDSP patient.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical phenotype and ACAT1 gene mutation in a family affected with beta-ketothiolase deficiency (BKTD).

METHODSClinical features and laboratory test data were collected. The probands were monozygotic twin brothers. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from the probands and their family members. Molecular genetic testing of the ACAT1 gene was carried out.

RESULTSThe probands have presented with fever, vomiting and severe ketoacidosis. By arterial blood gas testing, pH was determined to be 7.164, bicarbonate was 4.0 mmol/L, and urine ketone was ++++. Urinary organic acid gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed excessive excretion of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid and tiglylglycine. Increased 3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine (C4-OH), tiglylcarnitine(C5:1) and 3-hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine (C5-OH) levels. The clinical phenotype of proband's parents were both normal, but an elder sister turned out to be an affected patient. Genetic analysis has identified two heterozygous mutations [c.622C>T(p.R208X) and c.653C>T (p.S218F)] in the proband, which were respectively detected in the mother and father. The c.653C>T (p.S218F) mutation was not found among the 100 healthy controls and has not been included in the Human Gene Mutation Database(HGMD).

CONCLUSIONThe primary clinical manifestations of BKTD is ketoacidosis. Urine organic acid and blood acylcarnitine analyses play an important role in the diagnosis of the disease. The compound heterozygous of ACAT1 gene mutations probably underlie the BKTD in our patient.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; genetics ; Computational Biology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVETo explore pathogenic mutation in a family affected with 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria.

METHODSExons of 3 candidate genes, including L2HGDH, D2HGDH and SLC25A1, were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct sequencing.

RESULTSDNA sequencing has found that the proband and his affected younger brother have both carried a heterozygous mutation c.845G>A (p.R282Q) in the exon 7 of the L2HGDH gene. The same mutation was not detected in the his sister who was healthy. Pedigree analysis has confirmed that the above mutation was inherited from the mother. No mutation was detected in exons and flanking sequences of the D2HGDH and SLC25A1 genes.

CONCLUSIONMutation of the L2HGDH gene probably underlies the 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria in this family.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn ; diagnostic imaging ; enzymology ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Radiography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features and mutation of MUT gene in a Chinese patient with isolated methylmalonic acidemia.

METHODSThe clinical characteristics and laboratory tests data were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. The 13 exons and their flanking sequences of the MUT gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe patient has featured failure to thrive, lethargy, seizure, hypotonia, severe ketoacidosis and hyperammonemia. Tandem mass results showed reduction of multiple acylcarnitine. Urine organic acid testing showed pronounced increase in methylmalonate excretion. Homocysteine was normal. The patient showed no response to vitamin B12 treatment. The above results suggested that the patient had isolated methylmalonic acidemia. DNA sequencing analysis confirmed that the patient has carried two MUT gene mutations, c.755dupA and a novel mutation c.944dupT.

CONCLUSIONInherited metabolic disease screening plays an important role in the diagnosis of clinical diseases. However, to confirm the results will need gene mutation analysis.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; enzymology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation

OBJECTIVETo analyze PCCA and PCCB gene mutations in 10 Chinese patients with propionic acidemia(PA).

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. The 39 exons and flanking sequences of the PCCA and PCCB genes were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct DNA sequencing.

RESULTSDNA sequencing has revealed that 7 patients have carried a PCCA gene mutation, 2 patients carried PCCB gene mutation and 1 patient carried mutations in both PCCA and PCCB genes. Ten PA mutations were confirmed, including 8 affecting the PCCA gene and 2 affecting the PCCB gene. Three PCCA mutations c.245G>A, IVS15+5del5, c.1288C>T and 2 PCCB mutations c.838insC, c.1087T>C were found for the first time.

CONCLUSIONAmong Chinese patients with propionic acidemia patients, their genetic mutations are mainly found on the PCCA gene.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Methylmalonyl-CoA Decarboxylase ; genetics ; Mutation ; Propionic Acidemia ; genetics