Objective:To study the changes in serum small molecule metabolites after brucella infection in humans using untargeted metabolomics methods, and screening representative biomarkers. Methods:A total of 109 serum samples collected from January 2019 to December 2021 at the Brucellosis Clinic of the Baotou Center for Disease Control and Prevention were divided into acute phase group ( n = 40), chronic phase group ( n = 35) of brucellosis, and healthy group ( n = 34) based on clinical diagnosis. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology was used to test serum samples and screen for differential metabolites. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive ability of differential metabolites for brucellosis. Enriched pathways were screened using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway to identify metabolic pathways significantly affected. Results:A total of 17 differential metabolites were screened between the acute phase group and the healthy group, and 12 differential metabolites were screened between the chronic phase group and the healthy group. There were a total of 5 differential metabolites (oleamide, linoleamide, stearamide, palmitoleic acid, α-linolenic acid) statistically significant among the three groups ( F = 16.84, 17.52, 14.31, 13.01, 20.76, P < 0.05). KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites in the acute phase group were enriched in metabolic pathways such as ether lipid metabolism, glycerophosphate metabolism, sphingolipid signal and sphingolipid metabolism. The differential metabolites in the chronic phase group were enriched in metabolic pathways such as glycerophosphate metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, protein digestion and absorption metabolism. Conclusion:Untargeted metabolomics methods can screen out serum small molecule metabolites that undergo changes after brucella infection in the human body, including oleamide, linoleamide, stearamide, palmitoleic acid, α-linolenic acid can serve as potential biomarkers to distinguish brucellosis patients from healthy people.

Objective:To investigate the iodine nutrition levels of children aged 8 - 10 and pregnant women in iodine deficient areas and iodine adequate areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia for short), and to provide scientific basis for prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods:From March to July 2022, iodine nutrition analysis was conducted in iodine deficient areas and iodine adequate areas of 104 banners (counties, cities and districts) in 12 league cities in Inner Mongolia. Each monitoring banner (county, city and district) was divided into five sampling areas by east, west, south, north, and center, with one Sumu (township, street) selected from each area. One primary school was selected from each Sumu (township, street), and 40 non-boarding students aged 8 - 10 were selected from each primary school. One third of the students underwent thyroid ultrasound examination. Twenty pregnant women were selected from each of the 5 Sumus (townships, streets) in each monitoring banner (county, city and district). Household salt samples and random urine samples of children and pregnant women were collected to detect salt iodine and urinary iodine levels.Results:In 2022, the median thyroid volume of children aged 8 - 10 in iodine deficient areas and iodine adequate areas of Inner Mongolia was 2.44 ml, and the goiter rate was 1.89% (123/6 496). There were statistically significant differences in thyroid volume and goiter rate between different league cities ( H = 1 229.05, χ 2 = 34.13, P < 0.001). The coverage rate of iodized salt in 12 league cities was 98.51% (30 628/31 090), the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 94.42% (29 355/31 090), and the median salt iodine was 22.80 mg/kg. The median urinary iodine of children ( n = 20 968) was 195.00 μg/L, among which the median urinary iodine in 7 league cities was at the appropriate level of iodine nutrition (100 - 199 μg/L), and the median urinary iodine in 5 league cities was at the level of iodine nutrition exceeding the appropriate level (200 - 299 μg/L). The median urinary iodine of pregnant women ( n = 10 122) was 168.00 μg/L, among which, except for Bayannur (149.18 μg/L), the median urinary iodine in other 11 league cities was at the appropriate level of iodine nutrition (150 - 249 μg/L). Conclusions:The overall iodine nutrition of children and pregnant women in Inner Mongolia is at an appropriate level, but some pregnant women still face the risk of iodine deficiency. In the future, the focus of iodine deficiency disorders prevention and control should be on iodine nutrition monitoring for special needs populations.

Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)is a chronic degenerative joint disease which could result disabling in late stage.The objectivity in imaging diagnosis of KOA is often various due to human factors and other influences.Artificial intelligence(AI)has been proved highly valuable for KOA.The progresses of AI in imaging diagnosis and grading of KOA,detecting cartilages lesions,predicting pain and long-term care of KOA were reviewed in this article.

Objective:The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for the quantification of melatonin in human serum.Methods:We describe the performance and validation of melatonin by LC-MS/MS. 182 serum samples from the patients diagnosed with Sleep disturbance who visited the Department of Psychiatry at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from February 2022 to March 2023(56 males,162 females,mean age [45.51±16.31]years), as well as 182 healthy individuals were included(87 males,95 females,mean age [48.55±11.93]years). The two groups were used to assess the application of serum melatonin levels as a diagnostic indicator for sleep disorders (SDs). The liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system with an chromatography column (2.1×100 mm, 1.8 μm) was used for separation. The column temperature was set at 35 ℃, as well as the mobile phase consisting of a 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and pure acetonitrile. The flowing rate was set at 0.4 ml/min for gradient elution. The LC-MS/MS method was validated according to guidance documents, including the following parameters: specificity, selectivity, matrix effect, carryover contamination and reproducibility, lower limit of measuring interval, linearity, precision, recovery rate, dilution consistency, and serum sample stability. Then, it was subsequently employed to profile melatonin changes in Sleep disturbance.Results:The lower limit of quantification for melatonin was 1 pg/ml, and the linear range of detection was 1 pg/ml to 500 pg/ml ( r=0.999). The intra-day and intra-batch precision, expressed as the coefficient of variation ( CV), was within the range from 3.07% to 6.86%, which met the requirement of less than 15%. The recovery rate of the spiked samples ranged from 105.91% to 116.30%. The level of serum melatonin in the sleep disturbance group was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group ([2.00(1.00,3.28)] vs [8.35(4.28,14.80)] pg/ml, P<0.001). Conclusions:The LC-MS/MS method we developed for the quantification of melatonin is clinical practicable.

Objective:To study the iodine nutrition status of children in non-high water iodine areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, analyze the monitoring results of iodine deficiency disorders, so as to provide a basis for further guidance on scientific iodine supplementation for children in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods:According to the requirements of the National IDD Monitoring Program and the IDD Monitoring Program of Inner Mongolia in 2021, cluster sampling method was used to select non boarding children aged 8 - 10 from 104 counties (cities, districts) in 12 cities within the jurisdiction of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Random urine samples and household salt samples were collected to detect iodine content. At the same time, 1/3 of the selected children were selected for thyroid B-ultrasound examination to measure thyroid volume.Results:In 2021, a total of 19 968 children aged 8 - 10 in non-high water iodine areas of Inner Mongolia were monitored, and 19 968 urine samples were collected, with a median urine iodine of 199.23 μg/L. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency distribution of urinary iodine in different cities (χ 2 = 839.51, P < 0.001). The median iodine content of children's household edible salt was 22.64 mg/kg, and the coverage rate of iodized salt, qualified iodized salt coverage rate, and non-iodized salt rate in the entire region was 99.05% (19 778/19 968), 94.98% (18 785/19 778), 94.08% (18 785/19 968) and 0.95% (190/19 968), respectively. Thyroid B-ultrasound were performed in 6553 children, the goiter rate was 1.30% (85/6 553), and there were statistically significant differences in goiter rates among children of different ages and cities (χ 2 = 87.09, P < 0.001; χ 2 = 10.40, P = 0.006) . Conclusions:In 2021, the iodine nutrition of children aged 8 - 10 in non-high water iodine areas of Inner Mongolia is at an appropriate level. However, in the future we should continue to adhere to the monitoring of iodine deficiency disorders, strengthen health education on iodine deficiency disorders, consolidate existing achievements in iodine deficiency disease prevention and control, and achieve the goal of continuous elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.

Two hundred and twenty five children aged 4-12 years with phimosis were treated by flexible dilatation combined with topical betamethasone cream from January 2003 to January 2015.Two hundred and eight cases (92.44％) were completely cured and penile edema and urination were returned to normal 7 d after a single operation;while,17 children received 2-3 additional flexible expansion.During follow-up of 2-24 months,221 children achieved the cure standards with an overall cure rate of 98.22％.Flexible dilatation combined with topical betamethasone cream is effective modality for phimosis in children,with less surgical trauma and low complication rate.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture on gap junction protein Cx43 expression in the hippocampal region in ischemia/reperfusion rats.Methods Wistar rats were randomized into normal, model, non-point acupuncture and acupuncture groups. A rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was made by modified middle cerebral artery thread occlusion. The model, non-point acupuncture and acupuncture groups were separately divide into four subgroups: 30, 60, 180 and 360 min ischemia/reperfusion, 10 rats each. The middle and lateral lines of vertex were given electroacupuncture in the acupuncture group of rats. A subcostal fixed point 10 mm above the iliac crest on the affect side was selected as an acupuncture point in the non-point acupuncture group. The model group was not treated. Cx43 protein expression was determined by an immunohistochemical method.Results There was a statistically significant difference in the behavior disorder (Bederson’s) score between the acupuncture group and the non-point acupuncture or model group after different times of cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal Cx43 content between model, acupuncture or non-point acupuncture group and the normal group and between the acupuncture group and the model or non-point acupuncture group after different times of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture can inhibit the overexpression of Cx43, intervene in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and produce a neuroprotective effect in ischemic brain injury.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of eight-probe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and R-banding karyotype analysis for the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODSWith the eight-probe FISH (using probes for MYC, P16, E2A, CHIC2/D10Z1/D17Z1, TEL/AMLl, MLL, BCR/ABL1, and IGH) and R-banding karyotype analysis, 237 cases of ALL were analyzed.

RESULTSCytogenetic changes were detected in 135 (56.96%) of all cases, which have involved MYC, P16, E2A, CHIC2/D10Z1/D17Z1, TEL/AMLl, MLL, BCR/ABL1, and IGH polyploidies. R-banding karyotype analysis has only detected abnormalities in 48 of such cases, in addition with 14 abnormalities missed by the FISH probes, which have given a total positive rate of 26.16%. The detection rate of the two methods has differed significantly(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with the R-banding karyotype analysis, the eight-probe FISH is more accurate and efficient. Diagnosis of cytogenetic abnormalities for children with ALL using the combined method can provide a basis for evaluation of prognosis as well as personalized therapy.

Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Banding ; methods ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Karyotyping ; methods ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; genetics

Objective To introduce an operative method of rhytidectomy with W-incision and fewer complications for facial rejuvenation.Methods A total of 84 patients were treated with rhytidectomy by multi-methods and followed up from January 2007 to December 2012.The rhytidectomy was done along the temporal hairline edge through the combined procedures,including sharp and blunt separation,liposuction and filling with autologous fat,tighting and fixing the fascial flap of superficial musculoaponeurotic system,as well as the suspension of the zygomatic cheek fiber fat pad.Results Follow-up for 3 moths to 2 years after surgery in 84 patients showed that the wound was healing with good concealment and without complications such as facial nerve injury or local uneven.All the cases achieved good results in facelift with high satisfaction rate after the combined operations.Conclusions This combined rhytidectomy is safe,effective,simple and easy.And it is a good and ideal approach of facial rejuvenation worthy of clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo explore the source and morphology of supernumerary markers from patients with 47,XYY/47,XY, +mar and supermale syndrome.

METHODSConventional GTG banded karyotyping and dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed on 21 such patients.

RESULTSAmong these cases, 18 had their small supernumerary marker derived from the Y chromosome. Three were derived from autosomal chromosomes. Those derived from Y chromosome were small fragments with centromeres, while those derived from autosomes were in the ring form.

CONCLUSIONIn children with supermale syndrome and 47,XYY/47,XY,+ mar, the supernumerary marker chromosomes primarily derive from sex chromosomes. These small chromosomes mainly have the forms of small segments with centromeres or rings. For such children, molecular cytogenetic analysis can facilitate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Banding ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infant ; Male ; Sex Chromosome Disorders ; genetics ; XYY Karyotype ; genetics