AIM: To delineate the specific mutation responsible for retinitis pigmentosa(RP)in a Yi pedigree, and to analyze the correlation of RHO gene mutation with clinical phenotype.METHODS:A comprehensive clinical evaluation was conducted on the proband diagnosed with RP and other familial members, complemented by a thorough ophthalmic examination. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the proband and familial members, from which genomic DNA was extracte. Subsequent whole exome sequencing(WES)was employed to identify the variant genes in the proband. The identified variant gene was validated through Sanger sequencing, then an in-depth analysis of the mutation genes was carried out using genetic databases to ascertain the pathogenic mutation sites. Furthermore, an exhaustive analysis was performed to delineate the genotype and phenotype characteristics.RESULTS:The RP pedigree encompasses 5 generations with 42 members, including 19 males and 23 females. A total of 13 cases of RP were identified, consisting of 4 males and 9 females, which conforms to the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The clinical features of this family include an early onset age, rapid progression, and a more severe condition. The patients were found to have night blindness around 6 years old, representing the earliest reported case of night blindness in RP families. The retina was manifested by progressive osteocytoid pigmentation of the fundus, a reduced visual field, and significantly decreased or even vanished a and b amplitudes of ERG. The combined results of WES and Sanger sequencing indicated that the proband had a heterozygous missense mutation of the RHO gene c.1040C>T:p.P347L, where the 1 040 base C of cDNA was replaced by T, causing codon 347 to encode leucine instead of proline. Interestingly, this mutation has not been reported in the Chinese population.CONCLUSION:This study confirmed that the mutant gene of RP in a Yi nationality pedigree was RHO(c.1040C>T). This variant leads to the change of codon 347 from encoding proline to encoding leucine, resulting in a severe clinical phenotype among family members. This study provides a certain molecular, clinical, and genetic basis for genetic counseling and gene diagnosis of RHO.

AIM: To delineate the specific mutation responsible for retinitis pigmentosa(RP)in a Yi pedigree, and to analyze the correlation of RHO gene mutation with clinical phenotype.METHODS:A comprehensive clinical evaluation was conducted on the proband diagnosed with RP and other familial members, complemented by a thorough ophthalmic examination. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the proband and familial members, from which genomic DNA was extracte. Subsequent whole exome sequencing(WES)was employed to identify the variant genes in the proband. The identified variant gene was validated through Sanger sequencing, then an in-depth analysis of the mutation genes was carried out using genetic databases to ascertain the pathogenic mutation sites. Furthermore, an exhaustive analysis was performed to delineate the genotype and phenotype characteristics.RESULTS:The RP pedigree encompasses 5 generations with 42 members, including 19 males and 23 females. A total of 13 cases of RP were identified, consisting of 4 males and 9 females, which conforms to the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The clinical features of this family include an early onset age, rapid progression, and a more severe condition. The patients were found to have night blindness around 6 years old, representing the earliest reported case of night blindness in RP families. The retina was manifested by progressive osteocytoid pigmentation of the fundus, a reduced visual field, and significantly decreased or even vanished a and b amplitudes of ERG. The combined results of WES and Sanger sequencing indicated that the proband had a heterozygous missense mutation of the RHO gene c.1040C>T:p.P347L, where the 1 040 base C of cDNA was replaced by T, causing codon 347 to encode leucine instead of proline. Interestingly, this mutation has not been reported in the Chinese population.CONCLUSION:This study confirmed that the mutant gene of RP in a Yi nationality pedigree was RHO(c.1040C>T). This variant leads to the change of codon 347 from encoding proline to encoding leucine, resulting in a severe clinical phenotype among family members. This study provides a certain molecular, clinical, and genetic basis for genetic counseling and gene diagnosis of RHO.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of gene mutation on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing Chinese herbal compound formulas in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes （MDS） of different traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） patterns， so as to provide the basis for the clinical application. MethodsClinical data of 442 MDS patients who were treated with arsenic-containing herbal compound formulas were retrospectively collected， including the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Based on the TCM four examinations， the patients were divided into the spleen-kidney deficiency group as well as the qi-yin deficiency group， and according to the results of the next-generation sequencing （NGS） test， they were divided into the group with and without gene mutation respectively. The influence of gene mutation on the clinical effectiveness of patients with different TCM patterns was analyzed， the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with different outcomes of the two TCM patterns were compared， and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of the effective rate of MDS patients with gene mutation. ResultsA total of 190 cases were included in the spleen-kidney deficiency group （119 cases with gene mutation） and 43 cases in the qi-yin deficiency group （23 cases with gene mutation）. No statistically significant differences were noted in effectiveness assessment， total effective rate， and total response rate between the spleen-kidney deficiency group and the qi-yin deficiency group （P＞0.05）. In the spleen-kidney deficiency group， the total effective rate of MDS with gene mutation was 65.55% （78/119）， which was lower than 80.28% （57/71） of MDS without gene mutation， with statistical significance （P = 0.033）， while no statistical differences in effectiveness assessment and total response rate were noted （P＞0.05）. In the qi-yin deficiency group， no statistical differences were observed in effectiveness assessment， total effective rate， and total response rate of the patients in with or without gene mutation （P＞0.05）. In the spleen-kidney deficiency group with gene mutation， the rate of complex karyotype （P = 0.031） and the mutation rate of CBL gene （P = 0.032） in the ineffective population were higher than those in the effective population， while the mutation rate of DDX41 gene in the effective population was higher than that in the ineffective population （P = 0.033）. No statistically significant differences were found in other gene mutations， age， gender distribution， number of gene mutations， bone marrow hyperplasia degree， blast cell range， reticular fiber tissue proliferation or not， and prognosis of chromosomal abnormalities between the effective and ineffective populations （P＞0.05）. In the qi-yin deficiency group with gene mutation， no statistically significant differences were found in various items between populations with different outcomes （P＞0.05）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that complex karyotype， CBL mutation， and DDX41 mutation were independently associated with the effective rate of MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency and gene mutation （P＜0.05）. DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group （OR＞1）， while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors （OR＜1）. ConclusionThe arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas exhibited better effectiveness in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without mutation； and in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without complex karyotypes， CBL mutation， and with DDX41 mutations. Furthermore， DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group， while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors. In MDS with qi-yin deficiency pattern， gene mutation-related factors showed no significant impact on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas.

ObjectiveMyelodysplastic syndromes （MDS） is a group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders，and this study aims to investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α（HIF-1α） in the bone marrow cells of patients with MDS and its correlation with the clinical features of MDS，the therapeutic efficacy of arsenic-containing Chineseherbal compound，and the survival prognosis. MethodAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria，27 MDS patients treated with arsenic-containing Chinese herbal compound in the Department of Hematology，Xiyuan Hospital，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2022 to September 2022 were included，and their bone marrow samples were collected by myelotomy. HIF-1α expression level in bone marrow cells was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） to analyze its correlation with clinical features，and logistic and Cox regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the efficacy and prognostic survival of MDS patients. ResultThe HIF-1α mRNA expression level was lower in bone marrow cells of MDS patients than in healthy subjects. HIF-1α was positively correlated with the degree of myelodysplasia（r=0.384，P<0.05） and bone marrow granulocytic system%（G%）（r=0.560，P<0.01）. Logistic regression showed that HIF-1α was a risk factor for the prognosis in the follow-up of the efficacy of treatment（P<0.05）and Cox regression showed that HIF-1α was an independent factor affecting the survival prognosis of MDS patients ［odds ratio（OR）=398.968，95% confidence interval（CI）（1.281，116 858.743），P<0.05］. ConclusionThe level of HIF-1α expression in bone marrow cells of MDS patients was closely related to the degree of clinical myelodysplasia and G%，and HIF-1α was a risk factor for the efficacy for and survival prognosis of MDS patients.

BACKGROUND:Currently,there have been a variety of conservative and surgical treatment plans for spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee,achieving excellent results.However,a broad consensus on indication and guide of surgical treatment has not been announced.In clinical practice,there is still a misunderstanding that unicondylar replacement or total knee arthroplasty should be performed upon the discovery of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee,while an urgent need for universal access to the concept of stepwise therapy. OBJECTIVE:To summarize and find the factors leading to the poor effect of conservative treatment in spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee,which occurred on the medial femoral condyle,from the literature and clinical cases,at the same time,combined with the Koshino stage,to propose the strategy of stepwise spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee treatment on the medial femoral condyle. METHODS:A systematic search of the literature database was conducted to summarize the factors leading to poor outcomes of conservative treatment in spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle.Meanwhile,according to the Clinical&Health Records for analytics&Sharing system,the cases receiving conservative and surgical treatment in spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle in the Department of Orthopedics of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to January 2023 were analyzed retrospectively,then the causes of success and failure in typical cases were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Early diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee were very important for prognosis.For sudden knee pain in some patients,if no obvious abnormality was found in the X-ray examination,and the symptoms persisted and could not be relieved for more than 1 week,an MRI examination was recommended to detect early spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.(2)The X-ray images of Koshino stage 1 and stage 2 of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle were difficult to be distinguished,which needed to be probed by MRI.MRI images of Koshino stage 1 were mainly characterized by bone marrow edema,and an osteonecrosis area with a clear boundary was not formed,while MR images of Koshino stage 2 showed a necrotic area with a clear boundary.(3)Five factors leading to the poor effect of conservative treatment on spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle were summarized:a.The necrotic area was＞5 cm2;b.The necrotic area accounted for more than 40%of the condyle;c.relative compression percentage of medial meniscus≥33%(with or without medial meniscus injury and subchondral bone marrow edema);d.MRI depth of necrotic area(anterior-posterior diameter of sagittal necrotic area)＞20 mm;e.varus deformity of lower limb＞6°.(4)Conservative treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee in Koshino stage 1 was good.For spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee in Koshino stage 2,conservative treatment was preferred or combined with drilling decompression.If there was no relief or improvement of symptoms or in MRI after 3 months,while the patient had any of the previous five factors,then knee preservation surgery should be considered.For spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee in Koshino stage 3 and stage 4,knee preservation surgery should be selected based on the previous five factors,including age,gender and activity level of the patient.Total knee arthroplasty was used for spontaneous osteonecrosis in Koshino stage 4,which was associated with symptomatic patellofemoral arthritis,valgus alignment,or necrotic area,which greatly affected the stability of unicondyle prosthesis.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of intraocular lens (IOL) protected phacoemulsification (PHACO) in patients with hard nucleus cataract.Methods:A randomized controlled clinical study was conducted.A total of consecutive 120 patients (120 eyes) with hard nucleus cataract of Emery grade Ⅳ or Ⅴ were enrolled from January 2019 to May 2022.The patients were randomly divided into PHACO group receiving routine PHACO, IOL protected PHACO group receiving PHACO under IOL protection, and extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) group receiving ECCE, with 40 cases (40 eyes) in each group.Finally, 99 patients completed the follow-up, including 30 cases (30 eyes) in PHACO group, 35 cases (35 eyes) in IOL protected PHACO group, and 34 cases (34 eyes) in ECCE group.The total operation time, intraoperative PHACO time and cumulative energy release of each patient were recorded.The corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation in endothelial cell area (CV), hexagonal endothelial cell ratio (6A), corneal astigmatism and the number of eyes with different grades of uncorrected visual acuity were measured and compared after 3-month follow-up.The intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Yanbian University Hospital (NO.2023002).Patients were informed of study content and purpose and signed a consent form before treatment.Results:There was no significant difference in ultrasonic energy and time between PHACO group and IOL protected PHACO group ( P=0.691, 0.982).The total operation time was (38.81±2.73) and (36.45±3.45) minutes in PHACO group and IOL protected PHACO group, significantly shorter than (69.60±4.35) minutes in ECCE group (both at P<0.001).There was no significant difference in age, sex, lens nucleus hardness and other baseline data among the three groups before operation (all at P>0.05).Three months after operation, the number of patients with higher uncorrected visual acuity in PHACO group and IOL protected PHACO group was larger than that in ECCE group ( P=0.006, 0.007).The ECD and 6A in IOL protected PHACO group were (2 155.57±177.88)/mm 2 and (41.31±5.18)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than (1 912.64±224.11)/mm 2 and (36.18±3.27)% in PHACO group, and the CV in IOL protected PHACO group was (50.34±5.90)%, which was lower than (55.67±3.30)% in PHACO group, showing statistically significant differences ( P=0.007, 0.003, 0.005).At 1 week and 3 months after the operation, the corneal astigmatism was significantly lower in IOL-protected PHACO group than in ECCE group, but higher than in PHACO group, and the difference were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with conventional PHACO, IOL-protected PHACO can effectively reduce the damage of corneal endothelium caused by ultrasonic energy, shorten the operation time and reduce postoperative inflammatory reaction compared with ECCE, and does not significantly increase postoperative corneal astigmatism.IOL-protected PHACO is an effective improved surgical method for patients with hard nucleus cataract.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Tujia medicine Toddalia asiatica alcohol extract(TAAE)for synovial pannus formation in rats with college-induced arthritis(CIA).Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomized into normal control group,CIA model group,TGT group,3 TAAE treatment groups at low,medium and high doses(n=10).Except for those in the normal control group,all the rats were subjected to CIA modeling using a secondary immunization method and treatment with saline,TGT or TAAE by gavage once daily for 35 days.The severity of arthritis was assessed using arthritis index(AI)score,and knee joint synovium pathologies were examined with HE staining.Serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were detected with ELISA;the protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,p-PI3K,p-Akt,VEGF,endostatin,HIF-1α,MMP1,MMP3,and MMP9 in knee joint synovial tissues were determined using Western blotting,and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,VEGF,HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt were detected with RT-PCR.Results Treatment of CIA rat models with TAAE and TGT significantly alleviated paw swelling,lowered AI scores,and reduced knee joint pathology,neoangiogenesis,and serum levels of inflammatory factors.TAAE treatment obviously increased endostatin protein expression,downregulated p-PI3K,p-Akt,MMP1,MMP3,MMP9,VEGF,and HIF-1α proteins,and reduced TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,PI3K,Akt,VEGF,and HIF-1α mRNA levels in the synovial tissues,and these changes were comparable between high-dose TAAE group and TGT group.Conclusion TAAE can improve joint symptoms and inhibit synovial pannus formation in CIA rats by regulating the expressions of HIF-1α,VEGF,endostatin,MMP1,MMP3,and MMP9 via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Naozhenning granules on the memory function and neuron cells in the rat model of post-concussion syndrome based on mitochondrial biosynthesis. MethodSPF-grade Wistar rats were used to establish the multiple cerebral concussion （MCC） model by the weight-drop method. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model， piracetam （0.324 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （2.25， 4.5， and 9 g·kg^-1， respectively） Naozhenning groups. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage and those in the blank group and model group were administrated the same volume of normal saline once a day for 14 days. The general state of rats was observed before and after treatment. The open field test and new object recognition test were conducted to examine the motor and memory abilities of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of cortical neurons in rats. Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， nuclear respiratory factor-1 （NRF-1）， and transcription factor A mitochondrial （TFAM） in rat cortex. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed anxious and manic mental status， yellow and messy fur， and reduced food intake. In the open field experiment， the model group showed reduced total movement distance， times of entering the central grid， and times of rearing decreased and increased resting time compared with the blank group （P<0.01）. The model group had lower recognition index of new objects than the blank group （P<0.01）. In addition， the modeling caused reduced neurons with sparse distribution and deformed， broken， and irregular nucleoli and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PGC-1α， NRF-1， and TFAM in the cortex （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， piracetam and Naozhenning improved the mental state， coat color， food intake， and activities of rats. In the open field test， piracetam and Naozhenning increased the total movement distance， the times of entering the central grid， and the times of rearing and shortened the resting time （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The piracetam and Naozhenning groups had higher recognition index of new objects than the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the piracetam and Naozhenning groups showed increased neurons with tight arrangement and large and round nuclei， and some cells with irregular morphology and turbid cytoplasm. Furthermore， piracetam and medium-dose Naozhenning upregulated the protein levels of PGC-1α， NRF-1， and TFAM （P<0.01）. Low-dose Naozhenning upregulated the protein levels of NRF-1 and TFAM （P<0.01）， and high-dose Naozhenning upregulated the protein levels of PGC-1α and TFAM in the cortex （P<0.01）. The mRNA levels of PGC-1α， NRF-1， and TFAM in the cortex were upregulated in the piracetam group and Naozhenning groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionNaozhenning granules can improve the motor， memory， and learning， repair the neuronal damage， and protect the nerve function in the rat model of MCC by promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis.

Objective To conduct Rh blood group serological testing and third-generation sequencing(TGS)on 22 RhD variant voluntary blood donors in Chongqing and explore the phenotypic distribution and genotyping of RhD variants in Chongqing.Methods From January to August 2023,individuals who participated in blood donation in our blood center were selected as the study objects.RhD variant phenotype identification was performed using routine serological methods.Once the RhD variants were identified,tests on different antigenic epitopes of RhD were conducted using a D-screen assay kit.Furthermore,after the genomic DNA from 22 RhD variant blood samples was extracted,imbraided primers design and multi-segment amplification and splicing were used to sequence the full-length RHD gene for TGS.The RHD gene sequence was analyzed using SnapGene software.Results Among the 22 RhD variants,8 were DVI type 3(36.36%),with the main mutation of RHD-CE(3-6)-D hybrid allele.Six cases(27.27%)showed partial weak D15 type,with the main mutation of c.845G>A.There were 6 cases of Asia type Del(27.27%),with the main mutation of c.1227G>A.One case was weak D17 type with a mutation of c.340C>T and 1 case speculated to be partial D(c.491A>T,p.Asp164Val,missense mutation).Conclusion The most common RhD variant phenotype among blood donors in Chongqing is DVI type 3,and the full-length haplotype sequence of RHD variant alleles can be obtained by Pacific Bioscience single-molecule real-time sequencing(SMRT).

Background Multimorbidity imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and society. There are relatively few studies exploring patterns of multimorbidity among middle-aged adults in China. Objective To explore the current status of multimorbidity, associated risk factors, and multimorbidity patterns among adults aged 45-64 years in China, so as to provide a scientific basis to prevent and control multimorbidity in China. Methods A total of 5494 adults aged 45-64 years from the Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2018 were selected. Of these, 2494 (45.39%) were men and 3000 (54.61%) were women. The nine diseases included were hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, obesity, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), myocardial infarction, stroke, asthma, and tumor. The prevalence of each disease or multimorbidity was expressed as N (%). Comparisons of multimorbidity prevalence between different groups were performed using the χ² test or Cochran-Armitage trend test. Association rule with the Apriori algorithm was used to explore the pattern of multimorbidity, with parameters set at a minimum conditional support of 3.00%, a minimum rule confidence of 50.00%, and a lift of >1.20. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between selected risk factors and multimorbidity. Results In 2018, 37.44% of participants reported multimorbidity in 15 provinces of China. The prevalence of diseases in descending order was dyslipidaemia (39.99%), hypertension (39.48%), obesity (16.42%), MCI (14.47%), diabetes (14.16%), tumor (1.09%), stroke (1.04%), myocardial infarction (0.71%), and asthma (0.64%). A total of seven multimorbidity patterns were identified in this group. Obesity paired with hypertension, and diabetes paired with dyslipidemia were the two major patterns of multimorbidity in the general population and age or sex subgroups. The multimorbidity patterns of different populations were concentrated in the combination of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The risk of multimorbidity was lower in females than in males (OR=0.85, 95%CI: 0.75, 0.97). The multimorbidity risk was 1.56 times higher in the 55-64 years group than in the 45-54 years group (OR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.40, 1.75). Drinking in the past year increased the risk of multimorbidity by 25% (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.08, 1.45) compared to no alcohol comsumption in the past year. High and medium levels of physical activity were associated with a decreased OR (high: OR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.65, 0.85; medium: OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.70, 0.93) with low level of physical activity as reference. Conclusion In 2018, there was a high prevalence rate of multimorbidity among middle-aged adults in China. The main multimorbidity patterns were obesity-hypertension and diabetes-dyslipidemia. Surveillance and interventions should be strengthened particularly for men, individuals with alcohol consumption or insufficient physical activity, and those with major multimorbidity patterns.