Features of liver injury in 138 Chinese patients with NICCD.

Objectives: To find biochemical and molecular markers can assist in identifying serious liver damage of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) patients.

Methods: 138 patients under 13 days to 1.1 year old diagnosed of NICCD in our center from 2004 to 2020.

A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination biomarkers of monoamine neurotransmitter disorders in cerebrospinal fluid.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monoamine neurotransmitters, their precursors and metabolites are essential biomarkers in the diagnosis and follow-up of monoamine neurotransmitter disorders (MNDs). However, their extra low concentrations and potential instability challenge the detection method. Here, we present a method that enables simultaneous quantification of these biomarkers.

Diagnosis of an intermediate case of maple syrup urine disease: A case report.

Background: Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by defects in the catabolism of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). However, the clinical and metabolic screening is limited in identifying all MSUD patients, especially those patients with mild phenotypes or are asymptomatic. This study aims to share the diagnostic experience of an intermediate MSUD case who was missed by metabolic profiling but identified by genetic analysis.

Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Southern China: Analysis of 110 Cases.

To retrospectively explore the characteristics of plasma amino acids (PAAs) in children with autism spectrum disorder and their clinical association via case-control study. A total of 110 autistic and 55 healthy children were recruited from 2014 to 2018. The clinical phenotypes included severity of autism, cognition, adaptability, and regression.

[The level of the stress biomarker salivary alpha amylase is correlated with semen quality in infertile young men].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the level of the stress biomarker salivary alpha amylase (SAA) and semen quality in infertile young men.

Methods: Totally, 313 infertile and 96 normal healthy men, aged 20－40 years old, were enrolled in this study. The SAA levels and semen parameters of the subjects were measured and compared between the two groups.

Simultaneous quantification of 48 plasma amino acids by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to investigate urea cycle disorders.

Urea cycle disorders (UCD) are inborn errors of ammonia detoxification in which early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent metabolic emergencies. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was often and pronounced delayed. To improve diagnosis, we developed herein a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to investigate the disturbance of amino acid profile caused by UCD.

Stress increases the risk of pregnancy failure in couples undergoing IVF.

Stress plays an important role in reproductive health and likely is one of the psychological factors affecting ART success. This study was designed to examine the relationship between the stress level as inferred from the amount of the enzyme alpha-amylase secreted in saliva (SAA) and pregnancy outcome in infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET). A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Centre of Zhengzhou University Hospital in Henan, China.

Epidermal growth factor and tumor necrosis factor α cooperatively promote the motility of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines via synergistic induction of fibronectin by NF-κB/p65.

Background: The interaction between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and their microenvironment plays a fundamental role in tumor metastasis. The HCC microenvironment is rich in epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), which may cooperatively, rather than individually, interact with tumor cells to influence their biological behavior.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression of EGF and TNFα in HCCs.

[Identification of a novel pathogenic mutation in PDHA1 gene for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency].

Objective: To study the molecular genetic mechanism and genetic diagnosis of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PHD), and to provide a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal genetic diagnosis of PHD.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the 11 exons and exon junction of the PDHA1 gene from a child who was diagnosed with PHD based on clinical characteristics and laboratory examination results. The PCR products were sequenced to determine the mutation.

Clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging and molecular findings of X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy patients in South China.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a common X-linked recessive peroxisomal disorder caused by the mutations in the ABCD1 gene. In this study, we analyzed 19 male patients and 9 female carriers with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in South China. By sequencing the ABCD1 gene, 13 different mutations were identified, including 7 novel mutations, and 6 known mutations, and 1 reported polymorphism.

Combination of a Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant With Umbilical Cord Blood for Cerebral X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy.

Background: Childhood cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects central nervous system myelin and the adrenal cortex. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the best available curative therapy if performed during the early stages of disease. Only 30% of patients who might benefit from a hematopoietic stem cell transplant will have a full human leukocyte antigen-matched donor, which is considered to be the best choice.

Detection of inborn errors of metabolism using GC-MS: over 3 years of experience in southern China.

Background: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) have been detected worldwide using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) since the 1980s, but few related reports exist on the incidence, spectrum, and clinical presentation features of IEM in southern China.

Method: From January 2009 to March 2012, 16,075 urine samples were collected from patients who were highly suspected of having IEM in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center. The specimens were evaluated using GC-MS.

First case report of medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency in China.

Medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation, caused by mutations in the ACADM gene. As it is the most commonly inherited disorder of the mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in Caucasians, there are no related reports in China diagnosed by molecular genetic testing. We report here the case of a 2-year-old female patient who had hepatomegaly and abnormal liver function with a common illness, and who had been healthy before.

First case report of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in China.

Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) is a rare autosomal recessive inborn error of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. It is caused by rare mutations as well as polymorphic susceptibility variants. We describe here the case of a 1-year-old male patient who had growth and mental retardation, seizures, and recurring fever since infancy.

[Karyotypes and pelvic ultrasonography in children with Turner syndrome].

Objective: To study the relationship of karyotypes and gonadal development in children with Turner syndrome.

Methods: Fifty-one children with Turner syndrome were studied. Pelvic ultrasonography was performed on the children.

A novel mutation of estrogen receptor gene detected in girls with precocious puberty.

Female precocious puberty is caused by premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, exposure to exogenous sex steroid hormones, and the presence of endogenous sex steroids caused by various factors. Estrogen is the final key factor to start onset of puberty. However,in some cases of precocious puberty in girls estrogen elevation could not be detected.