Objective:To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) in boys.Methods:Cross-sectional study.Clinical data, laboratory data and genetic results of boys who were genetically diagnosed with CHH at the Department of Endocrinology of Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from December 2019 to February 2023 were collected in this retrospective study.Their clinical manifestations, hormone levels and gene mutations were analyzed.The non-normal distribution was represented by the median.The rank sum test was used to compare the non-normal distribution data between the two groups.Results:A total of 27 boys were genetically diagnosed with CHH, with the age at first diagnosis ranging from 0.3 to 16.6 years old.All these children presented with micropenis (100%), of whom 16 were complicated with cryptorchidism (59.3%), 9 with microrchidia (33.3%), 7 with simple micropenis (25.9%), and no had simple cryptorchidism.Three children had cardiovascular dysplasia.The median of basal luteinizing hormone(LH) level was 0.09 IU/L, and 92.5%(25/27) of children had the basal LH level below 1.00 IU/L.The median of peak LH level after gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) stimulation was 1.42 IU/L, and 96.2%(26/27) of children had the peak LH level below 4.00 IU/L.The median of serum inhibin B was 41.15 μg/L, and the median of serum anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) was 12.62 mg/L.The serum AMH level of children with cryptorchidism was significantly lower than that of children without cryptorchidism (10.02 mg/L vs.50.50 mg/L, P<0.05). A total of 12 gene mutations were detected in the 27 children, of which 1 was biallelic mutation.The most common gene mutations were in CHD7 and ANOS1 genes (7 children each, both accounting for 51.8%), followed by FGFR1 gene (3 children, 11.1%). After short-term treatment by GnRH pump or subcutaneous injection of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone in 4 children, the levels of serum inhibin B and AMH increased significantly, and the testicular volume also increased. Conclusions:CHH is a congenital disease with different clinical manifestations at different ages.The main manifestations in childhood are micropenis and cryptorchidism, and some children have microrchidia.Its diagnosis in prepuberty is difficult, but genetic testing is of great significance for early diagnosis.

ObjectiveAlthough expression of the TEAD1 protein in preadipocytes has been established, its function remains unclear. In this study, we sought to detect transcripts of TEAD1 in chicken and to examine the effects of this protein on the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation of immortalized chicken preadipocyte cell lines (ICP1). MethodsThe full-length sequence of the TEAD1 gene was cloned and the two transcripts were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. The subcellsular localization of TEAD1 transcripts was determined based on indirect immunofluorescence. The effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on the proliferation of ICP1 cells were examined by RT-qPCR, CCK-8, and EdU assays; the effects of TEAD1 transcripts on ICP1 cells migration were examined based on the scratch test; and the effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on ICP1 cells apoptosis were analyzed using apoptosis-Hoechst staining and RT-qPCR. The expression of TEAD1 transcripts in different tissues, cells lines, and ICP1 at different periods of differentiation was analyzed by RT-qPCR. The effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on lipid droplet accumulation and adipogenic-related gene expression in ICP1 cells were analyzed based on Oil Red O and BODIPY staining, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Finally, the content of triglyceride (TG) was measured in TEAD1 overexpressed ICP1 cells. ResultsThe full-length TEAD1 was cloned and two TEAD1 transcripts were identified. The TEAD1-V1 protein was found to be localized primarily in the cell nucleus, whereas the TEAD1-V2 protein is localized in the cell cytoplasm and nucleus. The overexpression of both TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ICP1 cells. Whereas the overexpression of TEAD1-V1 promoted ICP1 cell migration, the overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no significant effects on ICP1 migration; the overexpression of both TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 significantly promoted the apoptosis of ICP1 cells. We found that the different transcripts of TEAD1 have similar expression pattern in different tissues and cells lines. During induced preadipocyte differentiation, the expression of these genes initially declined, although subsequently increased. Overexpression of TEAD1-V1 promoted a significant reduction in lipid droplet formation and inhibited C/EBPα expression during the differentiation of ICP1 cells (P<0.05). However, the overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no significant effect on lipid droplet accumulation or the expression of adipogenic-related proteins (P>0.05). Overexpression of TEAD1-V1 significantly decreased triglyceride content in ICP1 cells (P<0.05), while overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no effect on triglyceride content in ICP1 cells (P>0.05). ConclusionIn this study, for the first time, identified two TEAD1 transcripts. Overexpressed transcripts TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 both inhibited the proliferation of chicken preadipocytes and promoted apoptosis of chicken preadipocytes. TEAD1-V1 inhibited the differentiation of preadipocytes and promoted the migration of preadipocytes, while TEAD1-V2 had no effect on the differentiation and migration of preadipocytes.

Objective:To evaluate the role of lactate dehydrogenase in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) and the relationship with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) in mice.Methods:SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 18-22 g, were used to establish diabetes mellitus model by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 120 mg/kg. Twenty-four mice with diabetes mellitus were divided into 2 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: DNP group and DNP + oxamate group (OXA group). Another 12 SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice were selected as control group (C group). In OXA group, oxamate 750 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 28 consecutive days. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C group and DNP group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT), blood glucose and body weight were measured at 3 days before STZ injection and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after STZ injection (T 0-4). After the last behavioural test was completed, blood samples were collected from the posterior orbits of anesthetized mice for determination of serum lactate concentrations. The animals were then sacrificed and the tissues from the prefrontal cortex of the brain were taken for determination of lactate content, mitochondrial membrane potential (by the JC-1), content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (using dihydroethidium probes), and level of histone lactylation and expression of PGC-1α (by Western blot). Results:Compared with C group, the MWT was significantly decreased at T 2-4, the serum lactate concentrations, contents of lactate and ROS and level of histone lactylation were increased, the mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased, and the expression of PGC-1α was down-regulated in DNP and OXA groups ( P<0.05). Compared with DNP group, no significant change was found in blood glucose and body weight ( P>0.05), the MWT was significantly increased at T 2-4, the serum lactate concentrations, contents of lactate and ROS and level of histone lactylation were decreased, the mitochondrial membrane potential was increased, and the expression of PGC-1α was up-regulated in OXA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Lactate dehydrogenase promotes the development of DNP, and the mechanism is related to promotion of increase in histone lactfication and down-regulation of PGC-1α expression in the prefrontal cortex of mice.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of abnormal urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR) in obese population.Methods:Baseline data from 2011 to 2012 in Henan Sub-center of"Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals: A lONgitudinal(REACTION) study"were utilized and those of body mass index≥28 kg/m 2 were screened. The patients were divided into UACR normal group and UACR abnormal group(101 pairs) upon being matched on a 1∶1 basis by age and gender. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve, and restricted cubic spline(RCS)analysis were performed to explore the risk factors for abnormal UACR. Results:Compared with the normal UACR group, the UACR abnormal group had a higher number of alcohol consumers, a higher prevalence of hypertension, elevated systolic blood pressure, and triglyceride(all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohol consumption( P=0.008), systolic blood pressure( P<0.001), triglyceride( P=0.049), and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR, P=0.033) were independent risk factors for abnormal UACR in obese people. The ROC curve analysis indicated that systolic blood pressure had the strongest diagnostic performance as a single factor(ROC curve area=0.801), and there was no significant difference in diagnostic performance compared to multiple factors combination. RCS analysis results showed that the probability of abnormal UACR increased monotonically with the increase of systolic blood pressure when the systolic blood pressure was between 130 and 158 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). When systolic blood pressure was not in the interval, the probability of abnormal UACR did not change significantly. The results of regression analysis of triglyceride subgroup showed that when triglyceride level was greater than or equal to 5.6 mmol/L, the risk of abnormal UACR level was significantly increased( P=0.029). Conclusion:Systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, HOMA-IR, and alcohol drinking history are independent risk factors for abnormal UACR in obese people. When systolic blood pressure is≥130 mmHg or triglyceride is≥5.6 mmol/L, the risk of abnormal UACR is significantly increased.

AIM To establish a UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous content determination of liquiritin apioside,alibiflorin,swertiamarin,methyl gallate,benzoylpaeoniflorin,sweroside,6′-O-β-D-glucosylgentiopicroside,isoliquiritigenin,loganic acid,liquiritigenin,gallic acid,paeoniflorin,oxypaeoniflorin,gentiopicroside,glycyrrhizic acid,isoliquiritoside and liquiritin in Yangxue Ruanjian Capsules.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 40℃thermostatic Waters BEH C18column(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.7 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate(containing 0.1%formic acid)-acetonitrile flowing at 0.3 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and electron spray ionization source was adopted in negative ion scanning with multiple reaction monitoring mode.RESULTS Seventeen constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r>0.999 6),whose average recoveries were 91.33%-104.03%with the RSDs of 1.58%-3.50%.CONCLUSION This rapid,accurate and stable method can be used for the quality control of Yangxue Ruanjian Capsules.

Objective:To explore expression patterns of transcription factor TFAP2B in epidermal melanocytes of healthy individuals and vitiligo patients.Methods:Lesional tissues were collected from 5 patients confirmedly diagnosed with progressive vitiligo at the Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022. At the same time, some discarded normal skin tissues were obtained from 5 gender- and age-matched healthy individuals after plastic surgeries. The immortalized healthy human epidermal melanocyte cell line PIG1, the vitiligo epidermal melanocyte cell line PIG3V, and primary human epidermal melanocytes, which were isolated from the discarded foreskin tissues of 3 healthy males after urological surgeries in Xijing Hospital, were cultured in vitro. Tissue immunofluorescence assay was performed to determine the expression and localization of TFAP2B and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) in healthy skin tissues and vitiligo lesions, and cell immunofluorescence assay and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the TFAP2B expression in human epidermal melanocytes. Comparisons between two groups were performed using t test, and correlation analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results:Tissue immunofluorescence assay showed that TFAP2B was specifically expressed in human epidermal melanocytes and localized in the nuclei. Western blot analysis showed that TFAP2B was strongly expressed in the human epidermal melanocyte cell line PIG1 and primary melanocytes, with the relative expression levels being 0.45 ± 0.05 and 0.36 ± 0.04, respectively. Tissue immunofluorescence analysis showed that the fluorescence intensity of TFAP2B (623 917.5 ± 88 784.0) was significantly and positively correlated with that of DCT (2 232 655.3 ± 588 810.4; r = 0.91, P < 0.001) in human epidermal tissues from 5 healthy controls and 5 vitiligo patients. In addition, the relative fluorescence intensity of TFAP2B in epidermal melanocytes was significantly lower in the vitiligo lesions (0.12 ± 0.05) than in the healthy skin tissues (1, t = 19.35, P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that the relative expression level of TFAP2B was also significantly lower in the PIG3V cells (0.62 ± 0.09) than in the PIG1 cells (1, t = 5.92, P < 0.027) . Conclusions:TFAP2B was specifically and highly expressed in human epidermal melanocytes, and its expression level was significantly and positively correlated with that of the melanocyte marker DCT. Additionally, TFAP2B was obviously lowly expressed in the epidermal melanocytes of patients with vitiligo.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P＜0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P＞0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P＞0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.

Objective: To analyze and assess the current status of high blood pressure and associated factors among primary and secondary school students in Xinjiang in 2023, so as to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control decision making of high blood pressure among students. Methods: From September to November 2023, a total of 94 205 primary and secondary school students aged 8-17 from 14 prefectures and cities in Xinjiang, were selected for physical measurement and questionnaire survey using a stratified clustering random sampling method. The χ 2 test was employed to compare differences in high blood pressure rates among students with varying characteristics. Additionally, a Logistic regression model was developed to analyze associated factors with high blood pressure among primary and secondary school students. Results: The overall high blood pressure rate among primary and secondary school students in Xinjiang was 8.18%, with simple systolic hypertension being the main type at 52.16%. By educational stages, high blood pressure rates for elementary school (grades 4-6), middle school, high school and vocational high school were 8.04%, 8.59%, 7.65%, and 9.72% respectively ( χ 2=29.16, P <0.01). The high blood pressure rates among obese and overweight students were 9.93% and 17.88% respectively, significantly higher than 5.32% among normal weight students ( χ 2=1 643.14, P < 0.01 ). The high blood pressure rate among urban students (8.73%) was higher than that of rural students (7.15%) ( χ 2=71.58, P <0.01). Logistic regression model analysis showed increased high blood pressure risk for girls than boys ( OR = 1.06 ); middle school, high school, and vocational high school students had increased high blood pressure risk compared to elementary school students ( OR =1.22, 1.16, 1.70); rural students had lower high blood pressure risk than urban students ( OR =0.90); the risk of high blood pressure in overweight and obese groups was higher than that in the normal group ( OR =1.54, 3.00), and the risk of high blood pressure in boarding students was lower than that in non boarding students ( OR =0.71)( P <0.01). Conclusions In Xinjiang in 2023, primary and secondary school students have a certain rate of high blood pressure, mainly characterized by elevated systblood pressure lower. The main prevention and control targets are females, urban residents, those in higher academic stages, non boarding students, as well as overweight and obese primary and secondary school students.

Objective:To evaluate the screw placement assisted by robotic navigation in cannulated screw fixation for treatment of fracture of scapular coracoid process.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 24 patients with fracture of scapular coracoid process who had been treated by cannulated screw fixation at Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2020 to December 2023. According to whether the intraoperative screw placement was assisted by robotic navigation or not, the patients were divided into 2 groups. In group A of 11 cases, there were 6 males and 5 females with an age of (47.4±3.4) years whose screw placement was assisted by robotic navigation during the internal fixation with cannulated screws. In group B of 13 cases, there were 10 males and 3 females with an age of (43.5±4.9) years whose screw placement was assisted by conventional C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy during the internal fixation with cannulated screws. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, intraoperative adjustments of guide wire, Constant-Murley score of shoulder function at the last follow-up and postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). The follow-up time was (25.3±9.1) months for group A and (27.6±10.8) months for group B, showing no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss [(51.8±35.7) mL], intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency [(5.7±1.0) times] and intraoperative adjustments of guide wire [(1.6±0.7) times] in group A were significantly less than those in group B [(123.8±73.9) mL, (12.5±2.7) times, and (5.3±1.0) times] ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in operative time [(88.2±21.3) min versus (80.4±31.1) min], fracture healing time [(10.0±1.3) weeks versus (11.5±2.7) weeks] or Constant Murley score of shoulder function at the last follow-up [(86.7±6.1) points versus (91.1±10.0) points] between group A and group B ( P>0.05). No patient reported such complications as wound infection, fracture nonunion, or failure of internal fixation during the follow-up period. Conclusions:In the treatment of fracture of scapular coracoid process by cannulated screw fixation, robotic navigation can be used to assist screw placemen to achieve good efficacy comparable to conventional C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy. Moreover, assistance by robotic navigation can help reduce intraoperative blood loss and radiation, and improve surgical accuracy.

Objective:To summarize long-term clinical follow-up results of segment instability between the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and the adjacent upper vertebra (UIV+1) and to establish the optimal timing for surgery for UIV+1.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 265 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery at the Department of Spinal Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, from January 2014 to December 2018. The cohort included 119 male and 146 female patients, with an average age of 64.93 years (range: 32-86 years). Preoperative dynamic imaging measured sagittal angulation (SA) and sagittal translation (ST) of the UIV+1/UIV segment. Patients with SA>10° or ST>2 mm were categorized into the unstable group, further divided into the unstable non-fusion group and the unstable fusion group based on whether UIV+1 expansion fusion was performed. The remaining patients were classified into the stable group. Imaging indicators, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were compared among the groups, with JOA improvement rates calculated to assess clinical efficacy. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was employed to examine correlations between preoperative imaging indicators and final follow-up JOA improvement rates. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and the maximum Youden index were utilized to determine thresholds for preoperative SA and ST.Results:The follow-up duration for all patients was 73.53±12.92 months (range: 61-108 months). The stable group (124 cases) included 61 males and 63 females, aged 64.31±9.83 years (range: 44-82 years). The unstable non-fusion group (59 cases) included 22 males and 37 females, aged 65.76±11.01 years (range: 32-86 years). The unstable fusion group (82 cases) included 36 males and 46 females, aged 65.26±8.68 years (range: 47-80 years). At the last follow-up, the unstable non-fusion group exhibited ΔSA 0.90°±1.97° and ΔST 0.77±1.27 mm, both significantly higher than the stable group's ΔSA 0.25°±1.57° and ΔST 0.34±0.34 mm ( t=3.564, P<0.001; t=2.311, P=0.022). Clinical improvements were lower in the unstable non-fusion group compared to the other two groups: VAS (2.28±0.83), ODI (5.91%±3.46%), JOA (24.11±1.78), with a JOA improvement rate of 60%. The stable group showed VAS (1.51±0.69), ODI (3.71%±1.75%), JOA (27.33±1.91), with a JOA improvement rate of 83%. The unstable fusion group had VAS (1.46±0.83), ODI (3.46%±1.81%), JOA (26.48±1.66), with a JOA improvement rate of 78%. These differences were statistically significant ( F=32.117, P<0.001; F=24.827, P<0.001; F=92.658, P<0.001; F=93.341, P<0.001). The JOA improvement rate was negatively correlated with preoperative SA ( r=-0.363, P<0.001) to a low extent, and with preoperative ST ( r=-0.596, P<0.001) to a moderate extent. ROC curve analysis determined the preoperative SA threshold as 11.5° and the preoperative ST threshold as 1.85 mm. Conclusion:Pre-existing instability of the responsible segment UIV and UIV+1 (SA>10° or ST>2 mm) may worsen during long-term follow-up after TLIF. When preoperative SA exceeds 11.5° and ST exceeds 1.85 mm between UIV and UIV+1, performing an extended fusion involving UIV+1 can ensure surgical efficacy over long-term follow-up.