ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Linggui Zhugantang on mitochondrial fission and fusion and silencing information regulator 3（Sirt3）/adenosine monophosphate dependent protein kinase （AMPK） signaling pathway in chronic heart failure （CHF） rats after myocardial infarction （MI）. MethodSD rats randomly divide into sham operation group （normal saline ，thread only without ligature）， model group （normal saline， ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery proximal to the heart）， Linggui Zhugantang group （4.8 g·kg^-1） and Captopril group （0.002 57 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Administere drug continuously for 28 days. Echocardiography detected cardiac function parameters. Hematoxylin eosin （HE） staining observed the pathological changes of the heart. Immunofluorescence detected the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）. JC-1 detect mitochondrial membrane potential. Colorimetry measure adenosine triphosphate （ATP）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity （Ⅰ-Ⅳ）. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining detected the apoptosis rate of myocardial tissue. Western blot detected protein expression levels of Sirt3， phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK）， phosphorylated dynamic-related protein 1（p-Drp1）， mitochondrial fission protein 1（Fis1）， mitochondrial fission factor （MFF）， optic atrophy protein 1（OPA1）. ResultCompared to the sham group， the left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVIDd） and left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVIDs） were significantly increased in model group （P<0.01）， while the left ventricular short axis shortening rate （LVFS） and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. There were inflammatory cell infiltration and obvious pathological injury in myocardial tissue. ROS， MDA levels and myocardial cell apoptosis rate were significantly increased （P<0.01）， SOD level， ATP content， and membrane potential were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes （Ⅰ-Ⅳ） was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Levels of p-Drp1， Fis1， MFF proteins were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， while Sirt3， p-AMPK， OPA1 proteins level were significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， LVIDd and LVIDs were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， LVEF and LVFS were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Inflammatory cell infiltration and pathological damage of myocardial tissue were significantly relieved. ROS， MDA levels and myocardial cell apoptosis rate were significantly decreased in Linggui Zhugantang group and Captopril group （P<0.01）， SOD level， ATP content， and membrane potential significantly increased （P<0.01）. The activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes （Ⅰ-Ⅳ） increased significantly （P<0.01），and p-Drp1， Fis1， MFF protein levels were significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）， Sirt3， p-AMPK， OPA1 protein were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionLinggui Zhugantang can alleviate oxidative stress and apoptosis damage of myocardial cells， maintain mitochondrial function stability， and its effect may be related to mitochondrial mitosis fusion and Sirt3/AMPK signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of choroidopathy(choroidal atrophy and choroidal neovas-cularization)secondary to high myopia based on Logistic regression analysis and to construct a Nomogram risk prediction model based on the related factors,so as to provide guidance for clinical treatment.Methods A total of 340 patients(680 eyes)with high myopia admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected and di-vided into group A(170 patients,340 eyes)and group B(170 patients,340 eyes).The incidence of choroidopathy in the two groups was compared.The groups A and B were divided into two subgroups,subgroup a and subgroup b,according to whether choroidopathy occurred or not.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was carried out to explore the influencing factors of choroidopathy secondary to high myopia.A Nomogram risk prediction model for choroidopathy secondary to high myopia was constructed based on the influencing factors and externally validated.Results In groups A and B,the age,proportion of diabetes mellitus,axial length,and level of seruim transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)of patients in subgroup a were higher than those in the subgroup b,and the diopter was lower than that in the subgroup b(all P＜0.05).The Logistic regression analysis showed that age,diabetes mellitus,axial length and serum TGF-β1 level were independent risk factors for choroidopathy secondary to high myopia,and diopter was a protective factor(all P＜0.05).Age,diabetes mellitus,axial length and serum TGF-β1 level were positively correlated risk factors for choroidopathy secondary to high myopia,and diopter was a negatively correlated risk factor(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve of the Nomogram risk prediction model for predicting choroidopathy secondary to high myopia was 0.818,and the calibration was good.Con-clusion Age,diabetes mellitus,axial length,diopter and serum TGF-β1 level are the influential factors for choroidopa-thy secondary to high myopia.The Nomogram risk prediction model established based on these factors has a certain value for predicting choroidopathy secondary to high myopia.The clinical therapeutic schedules should be made based on this model to reduce the risk of secondary choroidopathy.

Objective     To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of thymoma patients and the influencing factors for prognosis. Methods     Thymoma patients who received treatment in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from March 2015 to March 2021 were collected. Clinical data of the patients were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results     A total of 177 patients were included. There were 89 males and 88 females aged 17-88 (52.3±13.0) years, including 160 surgical patients and 17 non-surgical patients. There were 160 patients survived, 17 died of thymoma, and 5 had recurrence and metastasis. Overall, the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 94.4%, 88.7%, 88.1%, respectively; the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 94.9%, 91.5%, 91.0%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that World Health Organization classification, clinical symptoms, Masaoka-Koga staging, treatment methods and surgery were statistically associated with progression-free survival; clinical symptoms, age, treatment methods and surgery were statistically associated with overall survival (P<0.05). Patients with younger age (P=0.018), without clinical symptoms (P=0.039), and with surgical treatment (P=0.004) had higher overall survival rates; those patients undergoing surgery had a higher progression-free survival rate (P=0.002). Conclusion     Age, clinical symptoms and surgical treatment are independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with thymoma.

Objective:To investigate the early clinical effect of fascia lata autograft bridging combined with the long head of biceps tendon transposition for treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tear.Methods:All of 31 cases of massive irreparable rotator cuff tear treated in our hospital from March 2016 to March 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 17 cases (10 males, 7 females) were repaired with fascia lata autograft bridging under arthroscopy (patch group), the average age was 61.47±6.63 (ranging from 51 to 72) and 14 cases (4 males, 10 females) were repaired with fascia lata autograft bridging combined with the long head of biceps tendon transposition (combined group), the average age was 62.57±6.11 (ranging from 53 to 71). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain before operation, at 1 week and 12 months after operation, Constant-Murley score of shoulder joint and American Association of shoulder and elbow Surgeons (ASES) score before operation, at 6 months and 12 months after operation were compared between the two groups. The outcome of rotator cuff healing was evaluated by MRI 1 year after operation.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-27 months (mean 18.33 ±6.8 months). There was no perioperative complication, and there was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( P>0.05) . The VAS score in the patch group was significantly higher than the combined group 1 week after operation ( t=2.09, P=0.048) , and there was no significant difference in VAS score 12 months after operation between the two groups. Constant-Murley score and ASES score in the combined group were significantly higher than the patch group at 6 months after operation ( t=5.23, P<0.001; t=4.45, P<0.001) , and there was no significant difference in Constant score and ASES score between the two groups at 12 months after operation. Constant score and ASES score in the two groups were significantly higher than those before operation. One year after operation, the MRI of the affected shoulder showed that the incidence of autograft patch thinning (Sugaya grade III) was 52.94%, the autograft patch structure failure rate (Sugaya grade IV and V) was 17.65% in the patch group, the autograft patch thinning rate (Sugaya grade III) was 35.71%, and the structural failure rate (Sugaya grade IV and V) was 7.14% in the combined group. The difference was statistically significant (χ 2=7.12, P=0.028) . Conclusion:Fascia lata autograft patch bridging combined with long head of biceps tendon transposition technique for treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tear has less pain 1 week after operation and better recovery of shoulder function half a year after operation. MRI showed better patch healing 1 year after operation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of 68Ga-cyclo( L-arginylglycyl- L-α-aspartyl- D-tyrosyl-N6-(((4, 7-bis(carboxymethyl)-1, 4, 7-triazonan-1-yl)acetyl))- L-lysyl) (NODAGA-RGD) PET/CT to evaluate short-term efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (dmDTC). Methods:From October 2019 to March 2023, 13 dmDTC patients (5 males, 8 females; age: 68(65, 69) years) from Nanjing First Hospital were retrospectively enrolled, of which 9 were clinically confirmed as radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) and 4 were dmDTC without radioactive iodine treatment. All patients underwent 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT to assess neovascularization of the target lesions (TL), and the SUV max and target background ratio (T/B) were recorded. After 3 months of TKI treatment (anrotinib ( n=9) or apatinib ( n=4)), change rates of the maximum diameter of TL and thyroglobulin (Tg) were measured. The correlation of SUV max, T/B and the change rate of the maximum diameter of TL were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis. ROC curve analysis was performed for the effectiveness of the T/B and TKI therapy, and the difference of the remission rate of lesions was analyzed by Fisher exact test. Results:In 13 patients, 36 TL were measured by 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT with SUV max of 5.44(3.43, 7.56) and T/B of 5.25(4.50, 7.23). The change rate of the maximum diameter of TL was -30%(-39%, -21%) and the change rate of Tg was -68%(-96%, -52%). T/B was negatively correlated with the change rate of the maximum diameter of TL after TKI therapy ( rs=-0.46, P=0.005), while SUV max was not correlated with the change rate of the maximum diameter of TL ( rs=0.03, P=0.883). ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value for T/B was 4.95, with the AUC of 0.698, the sensitivity of 87.5%, and the specificity of 60.0%. Compared to lesions with T/B<4.95, those with T/B≥4.95 showed higher remission rate (2/14 vs 63.6%(14/22); P=0.006). After 3 months of TKI treatment, the disease control rate was 12/13. Conclusion:68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT can effectively reflect tumor neovascularization, predict efficacy of TKI therapy, and provide powerful imaging evidence for TKI therapy in dmDTC.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of apatinib combined with 131I therapy for progressive metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (pmDTC). Methods:Seven patients (1 male, 6 females, age: 58(51, 66) years) with pmDTC in Nanjing First Hospital between November 2017 and February 2022 were enrolled. Patients received oral apatinib 500 mg once daily. The effect of apatinib on differentiated thyroid cancer were evaluated by using 18F-FDG PET/CT or CT at 3(2, 4) months after the treatment. Then in the state of continuous administration of apatinib, 131I therapy was initiated. 18F-FDG PET/CT or CT was performed at 3 months after apatinib combined with 131I therapy to evaluate the response. Both thyroglobulin (Tg) and Tg antibody levels were monitored every 4 to 8 weeks after the treatment. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for data analysis. Results:Five patients achieved partial response after 3(2, 4) months of apatinib treatment and two patients had progressive disease. The disease control rate and objective response rate were both 5/7. Five patients achieved partial response and two patients were in stable disease after apatinib combined with 131I therapy for 2(1, 2) times, with disease control rate and objective response rate of 7/7 and 5/7, respectively. The Tg level declined from 8 644(2 504, 16 300) μg/L (baseline) to 143(7, 3 574) μg/L( z=-2.37, P=0.018) after apatinib combined with 131I therapy. In addition, one patient had a significant increase in 131I uptake in the tumor lesions after long-term treatment with apatinib. Conclusions:Apatinib has obvious anti-tumor effects and high objective response rate is observed after apatinib treatment in patients with pmDTC. The anti-tumor effects are more prominent after combined with 131I therapy. Long-term treatment with apatinib may alter the tumor microenvironment to induce differentiation and increase iodine uptake in tumor lesions, which need to be further studied.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for two Chinese pedigrees affected with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the probands. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of the probands and their family members. RESULTS: The two probands were respectively found to harbor a heterozygous c.5467delG (p.Gly1823fs) variant and a heterozygous c.5584delA (p.Lys1862fs) variant of the ARID1B gene, which were both of de novo in origin and unreported previously. Based on the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PS2+PM2). CONCLUSION The c.5467delG (p.Gly1823fs) and c.5545delA (p.Lys1849fs) variants of the ARID1B genes probably underlay the CSS in the two probands. Above results have enabled genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis for the pedigrees.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; China ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Face/abnormalities* ; Hand Deformities, Congenital ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Micrognathism ; Neck/abnormalities* ; Pedigree ; Transcription Factors/genetics*

Background::The calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immune maintenance regimen that is commonly used after renal transplantation has greatly improved early graft survival after transplantation; however, the long-term prognosis of grafts has not been significantly improved. The nephrotoxicity of CNI drugs is one of the main risk factors for the poor long-term prognosis of grafts. Sirolimus (SRL) has been employed as an immunosuppressant in clinical practice for over 20 years and has been found to have no nephrotoxic effects on grafts. Presently, the regimen and timing of SRL application after renal transplantation vary, and clinical data are scarce. Multicenter prospective randomized controlled studies are particularly rare. This study aims to investigate the effects of early conversion to a low-dose CNI combined with SRL on the long-term prognosis of renal transplantation.Methods::Patients who receive four weeks of a standard regimen with CNI + mycophenolic acid (MPA) + glucocorticoid after renal transplantation in multiple transplant centers across China will be included in this study. At week 5, after the operation, patients in the experimental group will receive an additional administration of SRL, a reduction in the CNI drug doses, withdrawal of MPA medication, and maintenance of glucocorticoids. In addition, patients in the control group will receive the maintained standard of care. The patients’ vital signs, routine blood tests, routine urine tests, blood biochemistry, serum creatinine, BK virus (BKV)/cytomegalovirus (CMV), and trough concentrations of CNI drugs and SRL at the baseline and weeks 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 104 after conversion will be recorded. Patient survival, graft survival, and estimated glomerular filtration rate will be calculated, and concomitant medications and adverse events will also be recorded.Conclusion::The study data will be utilized to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early conversion to low-dose CNIs combined with SRL in renal transplant patients.Trial registration::Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017277.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic variation of a Chinese family affected with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis and albinism. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variants within genomic DNA extracted from the proband and his parents. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was applied when variants were not found completely. Suspected variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: WES has identified a heterozygous c.1729G>C (p.G577R) variant of NTRK1 gene and two heterozygous variants of OCA2 gene, namely c.1363A>G (p.R455G) and c.1182+1G>A. WGS has identified two additional heterozygous variants c.(851-798C>T; 851-794C>G) in deep intronic regions of the NTRK1 gene. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants of the NTRK1 gene probably underlay the congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis. And the compound heterozygous variants of the OCA2 gene probably underlay the albinism in the proband. In the case where no variant is detected by WES in the coding region, WGS should be considered to screen potential variants in the whole genome.
Albinism ; Child ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies/genetics* ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of deformed complex vertebral osteotomy (DCVO) technique on the treatment of angular kyphosis of cured spinal tuberculosis.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on patients with angular kyphosis of cured spinal tuberculosis who underwent the DCVO technique or posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) technique from Jan, 2007 to Jan, 2019. 33 patients were included, 18 males and 15 females, the average age was 39.5±15.0 years old (ranged 9-78 years old). The vertebral deformity in thoracic vertebrae 14 cases, thoracolumbar vertebrae 16 cases, and lumbar vertebrae 3 cases. 20 cases underwent the DCVO technique, while 13 cases underwent PVCR technique. For DCVO group, the multiple malformed vertebrae were considered a malformed complex, and a larger range and angle wedge osteotomy was performed within the complex using the DCVO technique. PVCR technique would resect the whole deformed vertebrae, and subsequently brought the two separated spinal columns together with instruments and titanium mesh. The intro-operative blood loss, operating time and complications were recorded. The radiological measurements included preoperative and postoperative spinopelvic parameters, which including thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS) and segmental kyphosis. The recovery of neurological function was evaluated by Frankle classification.Results:All patients were followed up for 7-72 months. Comparing with the cases underwent PVCR technique, the DCVO group has a significantly lower blood loss (1315.00±462.57 ml), operating time (293.00±83.86 min) and complications rate (1.5%). At the time of preoperation, postoperation and last follow-up, the deformity angle of DCVO group was 96.80°±6.32°, 29.10°±6.96°and 29.05°±6.49°, which gained an average 69.9% correction rate. The statistical analysis suggested that deformity angle was enormously corrected. And there was an insignificant difference between DCVO group and PVCR group. Meanwhile, the preoperative, postoperative and follow-up TK of DCVO group was 96.96°±29.13°, 37.15°±4.88° and 37.00°±3.89°respectively, whosecorrection rate was 67.1%; LL was 66.70°±21.21°, 42.25°±5.53° and 41.90°±4.98°, which have a significant difference between pre-operation and post-operation/follow-up ( F=23.997, P<0.001) ; SVA was 75.95±18.63 mm, 16.30±6.88 mm and 16.55±7.30 mm. PI was 47.50°±6.12°, 47.35°±5.54°and 47.90°±5.93°, PT was 37.25°±9.63°, 18.50°±1.99° and 19.00°±1.65°; SS was 10.25°±8.27°, 29.15°±5.91° and 28.85°±5.77°. The sagittal and spinopelvic parameters of two groups improved significantly at postoperation and follow-up. No obviously difference of spinal parameters was found between two groups at preoperation and postoperation. Both groups have cases with dysneuria. And all of these cases achieved different degrees of recovery at follow-up. Conclusion:The use of DCVO technique for the treatment of post-tubercular angular kyphosis is safe and efficiency. DCVO leads a better clinical outcomes and lower complication rate than VCR technique.