Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, muscle imaging and pathological features of patients with anti-signal recognition particle positive immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (SRP-IMNM).Methods:Nine patients with SRP-IMNM were collected in the Neuromuscular Disease Center of Jiaozuo People′s Hospital from May 2018 to May 2023, who were confirmed by skeletal muscle pathology and myositis-specific autoantibodies detection, and their clinical manifestations, muscle imaging and muscle pathology characteristics were systematically summarized.Results:Among the 9 patients with SRP-IMNM, there were 7 females and 2 males. The age of onset ranged from 18 to 59 years. All the patients presented proximal muscle weakness. Seven patients experienced neck weakness, and dysphagia was present in 5 patients. Laboratory examinations showed elevated serum creatine kinase levels in all 9 patients (1 866-6 725 U/L). Eight patients were combined with other antibodies positivity, except for anti-SRP antibody. Among them, 7 patients were combined with anti-Ro-52 antibody positivity, 4 patients combined with anti-Ro-52 antibody positivity alone, and 3 patients combined with 3 or more positive antibodies simultaneously. Those patients who presented with interstitial lung disease and cardiac involvement were all combined with other antibodies positivity. Seven patients completed thigh muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which showed diffuse skeletal muscle oedema, partial muscle atrophy and fatty replacement, primarily affecting the posterior thigh muscle group. Two patients underwent shank muscle MRI. The soleus involvement was evident, while the tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius muscles were involved in 1 patient. All 9 patients showed varying degrees of scattered muscle fiber necrosis and regeneration on muscle biopsies. In 1 patient, a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration was observed. Pipestem capillaries were observed in 4 patients. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a small number of CD68-positive lymphocytes in 8 patients. Additionally, 5 patients showed upregulation of major histocompatibility complex Ⅰ expression on the muscle fiber membrane, while 6 patients showed deposition of membrane attack complex (C5b-9) on non-necrotic muscle fibers and capillaries. P62 staining showed homogeneous fine-granular in sarcoplasm in 6 patients.Conclusions:In addition to proximal muscle weakness, patients with SRP-IMNM often experience neck weakness and dysphagia. Those with multiple antibodies are more likely to develop interstitial lung disease and cardiac involvement. SRP-IMNM patients have diffuse oedema in the affected muscles, and the posterior thigh muscles are more prone to atrophy and fatty tissue formation. C5b-9 deposition and pipestem capillaries are significant pathological features of SRP-IMNM, which provide additional evidence for clinical diagnosis.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of clinical, muscle pathology and gene mutation of late-onset reducing body myopathy caused by FHL1 gene mutation, in order to improve clinicians′ understanding of this disorder. Methods:The clinical, muscle pathology and muscle magnetic resonance imaging data of the proband from a family diagnosed as reducing body myopathy in Jiaozuo People′s Hospital in December 2021 were collected. Genetic tests and pedigree verification were conducted on the proband and her son.Results:The proband was a 59-year-old female with progressive, asymmetrical limb weakness and muscular atrophy. Her mother, sister and brother had similar symptoms. Electromyography showed myogenic and neurogenic damage. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging indicated that the lesion mainly involved the posterior muscles of the thigh and calf, as well as the gluteus maximus. The muscle pathology showed eosinophilic granular inclusion bodies and rimmed vacuoles in the muscle fibers of the lesion. The structure of myofibrils was disordered and abnormal protein deposition was observed. The gene sequencing showed the FHL1 gene p.C150S heterozygous variation. Conclusions:Late-onset reducing body myopathy is characterized by progressive asymmetric proximal limb muscle weakness, partially involving distal limb muscles and gluteus maximus. Muscle pathology shows the characteristic pathological changes of many kinds of myofibrillar myopathies. FHL1 gene mutation is an important basis for diagnosis.

Objective:To summarize the clinical, imaging, muscle pathological and gene mutational features of patients with late-onset mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).Methods:Three patients with late-onset MELAS, admitted to Department of Neurology, Jiaozuo People's Hospital Affiliated of Xinxiang Medical University from January 1997 to December 2021 were chosen; all patients were screened for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) mutations by second-generation gene sequencing. The clinical, imaging, muscle pathological and gene mutational features of patients with late-onset MELAS were analyzed retrospectively.Results:The main clinical manifestations of these late-onset MELAS patients included stroke-like attacks, headache, hearing and vision loss, cognitive decline and mental disorder. The muscle tension and muscle strength of both upper extremities in these 3 patients were normal. Increased muscle tension and active tendon reflexes, and positive pathological signs in both lower extremities were noted in 2 patients. Head MRI showed abnormal long T1 and long T2 signals in temporal occipital parietal cortex and subcortex in 3 patients, and CT showed calcification in bilateral globus pallidus in 1 patient. Ragged red fibers (RRF) and ragged blue fibers (RBF) were found in the muscle biopsies of 3 patients, and cytochrome oxidase (COX)-negative muscle fibers were found in 2 patients. MT-TL1 gene m.3243A>G mutation was detected in all 3 patients by genetic testing, among which mutation in the blood of 2 patients was 15% and 17%, respectively, and mutation in the muscle tissues of 1 patient was 73%. Conclusion:Muscle pathology indicates high RRF percentage in patients with late-onset MELAS; and m.3243A>G spot mutation is the most common mutation type in late-onset MELAS, and m.3243A>G mutation ratio in muscle tissues is obviously higher than that in blood.

Objective:To explore the value of using the mean gamma index (GI) in targer area receiving 50% prescribed dose as reference in VMAT planned dose verification through model-based dose calculation and measurement-based dose reconstruction.Methods:Based on Compass dose verificantion system, the VMAT plans for 70 patients were validated using two method. The mean GI and passing rate in target area receiving 50% of prescribed dose area for each validation plan were obtained to evaluate its application value in dose validation. First, plan information obtained by TPS calculation was input into the Compass system for performing independent dose calculation based on the accelerator data model, and obtain a three-dimensional dose based on the independent model calculation. The planned fluence measured for each patient′s treatment plan on the accelerator was reconstructed through the Compass system to obtain a three-dimensional dose based on measurement reconstruction. The three-dimensional dose obtained by the two method were compared with the three-dimensional dose calculated by TPS.Results:Combined with the gamma criteria of 3%/3 mm in the error setting condition of GI analysis, the mean GI in the area receiving 50% of prescribed dose was evaluated. GI≤0.4 was classified as PASS, 0.4 < GI ≤ 0.6 as being clinically acceptable, and GI > 0.6 as FAIL. The VMAT planned dose verification for 70 patients showed that the model-based independent calculation was in a better agreement with the TPS calculation. The GI values were all < 0.6: GI≤0.4 for 67 patients and 0.4 90% for 88 patients and < 90% for other 2, all meeting the requirements of clinical dose verification. The model-based independent dose verification is better than the measurement-based reconstructed dose verificantion, and the difference is statistically significant ( t=15.20, 10.71, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The mean GI in target area receiving 50% of prescribed dose can be used as a reference to judge the operatability of clinical plan in clinical dose verification. The mean GI value, in combination with the comprehensive result of gamma passing rate, is more convincing to evaluate dose verification. A combination of model-based dose verification, despite time-saving and labor-saving, and the measurement-based dose verification could become a reliable dose verification method for clinical application.

The heparin polysaccharide nanoparticles block the interaction between heparan sulfate/S protein and inhibit the infection of both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and the mutated strains through pulmonary delivery.Image 1.

To investigate the clinical，pathological and ETFDH gene mutation characteristics of riboflavinresponsive lipid storage myopathy（RRLSM） caused by ETFDH gene mutation.Methods The clinical and pathological data of 18 RR-LSM patients who were admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to December 2020 and confirmed by muscle biopsy pathology and gene testing were retrospectively analyzed. The Illumina NovaSeq highthroughput sequencing of peripheral blood DNA was performed for data reading and bioinformatics analysis.Results Among the 18 patients，there were 9 males and 9 females. The age of onset ranged from 9 to 60 years old（mean 29.83±13.44 years）. The course of disease ranged from 1 month to 22 years（mean 4.5 years）. The main clinical manifestations were proximal limb weakness and movement intolerance，accompanied by cervical extensor weakness in 14 cases，masticatory muscle weakness in 9 cases，dysphagia in 5 cases，nausea and poor appetite in 5 cases，and muscle pain and dyspnea in a few patients. Muscle pathology showed a large amount of lipid deposition in muscle fibers and a small amount of muscle fiber necrosis in 5 cases. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the necrotic muscle fibers were mainly infiltrated by CD68（+） lymphophagocytes. All 18 patients were treated with riboflavin and had good efficacy. ETFDH gene mutation was detected in all cases in this study，including 15 cases（83.3%） with complex heterozygous mutation，2 cases（11.1%） with single heterozygous mutation，and 1 case（5.6%） with homozygous mutation. A total of 20 mutation sites were found，among which the most frequent mutation site was c.770A>G，accounting for 19.4%（7/36） of the allele，followed by c.1454C>G，accounting for 8.3%（3/36） of the allele. Conclusion RRLSM patients caused by ETFDH gene mutation are characterized by trunk axial muscle and masticatory muscle involvement. Muscle pathology found that there are a large number of lipid deposits in muscle fibers is an important basis for diagnosis. c.770A>G and c.1454C>G are the most common mutation sites of ETFDH gene in this grou.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and electron transfer flavoprotein dehydrogenase ( ETFDH) genetic mutations in patients with riboflavin responsive lipid storage myopathy (RR-LSM). Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. The clinical data and muscular pathology of 26 patients with RR-LSM, admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to June 2021, were collected. Peripheral venous blood DNA was extracted, and the mutations of ETFDH gene were detected and analyzed by whole exome sequencing. Results:These 26 patients had onset of proximal limb myasthenia, 17 patients had difficulty in raising their head, 12 patients had mastication weakness, 6 had dysphagia, 5 had nausea and vomiting, and one was complicated with rhabdomyolysis and one was with reversible splenic lesion syndrome. Muscle biopsy indicated pathological deposition of lipid droplet, which type I fibers were involved mainly; degenerative necrotic muscle fibers were seen in a few cases. ETFDH gene mutations were detected in 26 patients; 23 patients had compound heterozygous mutation, two had single heterozygous mutation and one had homozygous mutation; 25 different mutation sites were found, mainly missense mutations; the C.770A>G frequency was the highest, accounting for 20% alleles (10/50); two novel mutation sites were found: c.1115A>G and c.1781T>C. Conclusion:RR-LSM is mainly characterized by proximal limb muscle weakness and fatigue intolerance, often accompanied by neck extensor and masticatory weakness; c. 770A>G is the hot site of ETFDH genetic mutations in RR-LSM patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, skeletal muscle pathologies and gene variations of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO).Methods:Sixteen patients with conformed CPEO, admitted to our hospital from January 1997 to December 2021, were chosen. Their clinical data such as onset age and course of diseases and muscle pathological examination results were collected and their gene variation characteristics were analyzed.Results:The initial symptom in all 16 patients was ptosis of varying degrees; 15 patients were with eye movement disorder, 6 with diplopia, 4 with proximal limb weakness, and 3 with dysphagia and dysarthria. Among the 16 patients, electromyography showed myogenic damage in 7 patients, myogenic combined with neurogenic damage in 1 patient, neurogenic damage in 1 patient, and normal in 7 patients. Skeletal muscle biopsies indicated that 14 patients were with ragged red fibers (RRF), 11 patients had cytochrome C oxidase (COX)-negative muscle fibers, 3 patients had a small amount of degenerated and necrotic myofibers with mononuclear phagocytic infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining indicated infiltration of CD8 and CD68 positive lymphocytes. Ten patients accepted genetic test, indicating 6 patients with single large fragment deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), 1 patient with mtDNA point mutation, 1 patient with nucleosomal DNA (nDNA) point mutation, and 2 patients without pathogenicity variation clearly associated with clinical phenotype. Electron microscopy in 5 patients showed that abnormal mitochondrial aggregation was noted in 4 patients under the sarcolemma and among the myofibrils.Conclusion:In addition to ptosis and eye movement disorders, a small number of patients with CPEO may be accompanied by dysphagia and limb weakness; and single large fragment deletion of mtDNA is the main mutation form of CPEO.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, skeletal muscle pathologies and gene variations of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO).Methods:Sixteen patients with conformed CPEO, admitted to our hospital from January 1997 to December 2021, were chosen. Their clinical data such as onset age and course of diseases and muscle pathological examination results were collected and their gene variation characteristics were analyzed.Results:The initial symptom in all 16 patients was ptosis of varying degrees; 15 patients were with eye movement disorder, 6 with diplopia, 4 with proximal limb weakness, and 3 with dysphagia and dysarthria. Among the 16 patients, electromyography showed myogenic damage in 7 patients, myogenic combined with neurogenic damage in 1 patient, neurogenic damage in 1 patient, and normal in 7 patients. Skeletal muscle biopsies indicated that 14 patients were with ragged red fibers (RRF), 11 patients had cytochrome C oxidase (COX)-negative muscle fibers, 3 patients had a small amount of degenerated and necrotic myofibers with mononuclear phagocytic infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining indicated infiltration of CD8 and CD68 positive lymphocytes. Ten patients accepted genetic test, indicating 6 patients with single large fragment deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), 1 patient with mtDNA point mutation, 1 patient with nucleosomal DNA (nDNA) point mutation, and 2 patients without pathogenicity variation clearly associated with clinical phenotype. Electron microscopy in 5 patients showed that abnormal mitochondrial aggregation was noted in 4 patients under the sarcolemma and among the myofibrils.Conclusion:In addition to ptosis and eye movement disorders, a small number of patients with CPEO may be accompanied by dysphagia and limb weakness; and single large fragment deletion of mtDNA is the main mutation form of CPEO.

Objective: To investigate the value of lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral fat index (VAI) for prediction of metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: Based on the 2018 Survey on Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors in Yantai City of Shandong Province, residents at ages of 45 years and older were sampled, and subjects' age, disease history, waist circumstance (WC), body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and blood lipid were collected to calculate LAP and VAI. MS was diagnosed with the a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity (JIS definition) and the recommended criteria proposed by the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) of Chinese Medical Association (CDS criteria), and the values of LAP and VAI for MS screening were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Totally 9 366 subjects were enrolled, including 4 340 men (46.34%) and 5 026 women (53.66%), and had a mean age of (54.49±9.73) years. According to the CDS criteria, the prevalence of MS was 24.58%, and LAP and VAI showed areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.837 (95%CI: 0.828-0.846) and 0.751 (95%CI: 0.739-0.762), sensitivities of 78.82% and 63.31% and optimal cut-off values of 44.64 and 1.86 for screening of MS. According to the JIS definition, the prevalence of MS was 35.26%, and LAP and VAI showed AUC values of 0.842 (95%CI: 0.834-0.850) and 0.790 (95%CI: 0.780-0.800), sensitivities of 75.73% and 68.42% and optimal cut-off values of 42.01 and 1.67 for screening of MS. Conclusions Both LAP and VAI are effective for screening MS among middle-aged and elderly residents, and LAP presents a higher accuracy than VAI.