Alkaline sphingomyelinase deficiency impairs intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and reduces antioxidant capacity in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon with an unknown etiology. Alkaline sphingomyelinase (alk-SMase) is specifically expressed by intestinal epithelial cells, and has been reported to play an anti-inflammatory role. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. AIM: To explore the mechanism of alk-SMase anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal barrier function and oxidative stress in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. METHODS: Mice were administered 3% DSS drinking water, and disease activity index was determined to evaluate the status of colitis. Intestinal permeability was evaluated by gavage administration of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran, and bacterial translocation was evaluated by measuring serum lipopolysaccharide. Intestinal epithelial cell ultrastructure was observed by electron microscopy. Western blotting and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of intestinal barrier proteins and mRNA, respectively. Serum oxidant and antioxidant marker levels were analyzed using commercial kits to assess oxidative stress levels. RESULTS: Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, inflammation and intestinal permeability in alk-SMase knockout (KO) mice were more severe beginning 4 d after DSS induction. The mRNA and protein levels of intestinal barrier proteins, including zonula occludens-1, occludin, claudin-3, claudin-5, claudin-8, mucin 2, and secretory immunoglobulin A, were significantly reduced on 4 d after DSS treatment. Ultrastructural observations revealed progressive damage to the tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, by day 4, mitochondria appeared swollen and degenerated. Additionally, compared to WT mice, serum malondialdehyde levels in KO mice were higher, and the antioxidant capacity was significantly lower. The expression of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the colonic mucosal tissue of KO mice was significantly decreased after DSS treatment. mRNA levels of Nrf2-regulated downstream antioxidant enzymes were also decreased. Finally, colitis in KO mice could be effectively relieved by the injection of tertiary butylhydroquinone, which is an Nrf2 activator. CONCLUSION: Alk-SMase regulates the stability of the intestinal mucosal barrier and enhances antioxidant activity through the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis in patients with congenital cervicovaginal atresia: An institutional experience with 23 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce our experience of laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis and operative outcomes following this technique and update the clinical management of congenital cervicovaginal atresia. STUDY DESIGN: Between March 2015 and January 2019, twenty-three patients with congenital cervicovaginal atresia underwent laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis and Luohu procedure. Their clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes and follow-up data were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the cases was 16.4 ± 4.0 (11-26) years. All patients had a history of primary amenorrhea and cyclical abdominal pain, and the average delay in diagnosis from first symptoms was 33.5 ± 38 (1-156) months. Most of the patients had 1-3 cm long vaginal pouch. The operative procedure lasted 125 ± 32 (80-190) min. The average vaginal length at 1 month was 7.9 ± 1.3 (range 6-9) cm. All patients showed resumption of menstruation. The patients were followed for a mean of 27 ± 13 (12-56) months. During the follow-up, cervical stenosis did not occur in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis with Luohu procedure provided a minimally invasive, safe, and effective surgical option for the patients with congenital cervicovaginal atresia. The technique is uncomplicated, easy to learn and perform, and provides a functional and anatomic satisfactory result. No special surgical instruments are required with this technique.

Anxiety symptoms in patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: As a congenital malformation that results in infertility and an inability to have vaginal intercourse, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome places a considerable psychological burden on patients, which results in anxiety symptoms. However, only single case studies or a few small to medium-sized cross-sectional studies were identified to focus on anxiety symptoms in MRKH patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the status of anxiety symptoms and the related factors in patients with MRKH syndrome. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involving 141 patients with MRKH syndrome and 178 healthy women was conducted from January 2018 to December 2018. All participants were required to complete a demographic questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised, Short Scale for Chinese, and Chinese Version of the Female Sexual Function Index. The main outcome was the anxiety symptoms measured by the GAD-7. Main outcome was compared between the MRKH syndrome group and the healthy control group. Then, we explored the related factors by comparing patients with and without anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 24.1% experienced moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Patients with MRKH syndrome manifested more severe anxiety symptoms than healthy women. Negative self-evaluation of femininity (odds ratio [OR] 2.706, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.010-7.247), neurotic personality traits (OR 1.100, 95% CI 1.029-1.175), and coexisting depressive symptoms (OR 4.422, 95% CI 1.498-13.049) were more prevalent in anxious patients. CONCLUSION: The findings stress the importance of anxiety symptom screening in MRKH patients and identify patients at risk of anxiety symptoms, providing a possible basis for future intervention.

Detection of de novo genetic variants in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome by whole genome sequencing.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use whole genome sequencing (WGS) help detect de novo mutations or pathogenic genes of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome type 1(MRKH syndrome type 1). STUDY DESIGN: This was a case-parent trios study. Nine unrelated probands, with MRKH syndrome type 1 and their parents were enrolled. The enrollment, sequencing process, establishment of the de novo mutations detecting procedure and experiment part were performed over a 2-year period. RESULTS: we detected 632 de novo single nucleotide variants (SNVs), 267 de novo small insertions/deletions (indels), 39 de novo structural variations (SVs) and 28 de novo copy number alterations (CNAs). Three novel damaging coding de novo SNVs with three damaging coding de novo genes (PIK3CD, SLC4A10 and TNK2) were revealed. Two SNVs were annotated of the promoter region of gene NBPF10 and 3'UTR of NOTCH2NL, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of MRKH. CONCLUSION: We identified five de novo mutations in BAZ2B, KLHL18, PIK3CD, SLC4A10 and TNK2 by performing WGS, the functional involvement of all deleterious mutations in MRKH candidate genes of the trios warrant further study. WGS may complement conventional array to capture the complete landscape of the genome in MRKH.

Using 3D MRI can potentially enhance the ability of trained surgeons to more precisely diagnose Mullerian duct anomalies compared to MR alone.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine if the advanced tool of 3D MRI model provides more precise information on the anatomy of pelvic organs than MRI alone, and compare to clinical and operative finding of patients with vagina in Müllerian duct anomalies. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and ten patients with clinically and operatively proven Müllerian duct anomalies were included. The consistency of diagnosis of Mullerian tract anomalies by MRI and 3D MRI compared to clinically and surgically proven anomalies defined according to ASRM classification. RESULTS: We successfully reconstructed retrospectively all 110 patients' three-dimensional models from the simple MRI scans. Eighty-six of the patients (78.2%) showed an agenesis of the uterus, four patients presented with uterine didephys (3.6%). Septate uterus was detectable in 8 of 110 cases (7.3%). Arcuate uterus was detectable in 3 of 110 cases (2.7%). The remaining patients presented with either unilateral (n = 4; 3.6%) or bilateral (n = 5; 4.5%) uterine horns. Reviewed by radiologists, comparing the agreement rate between 3D- MRI reconstruction models and simple MRI, there was a trend towards but not significant difference (P = 0.064). Reviewed by trained surgeons, the agreement between three-dimensional MRI reconstruction models and MRI, there was significant difference (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: 3D MRI model is a non-expensive add-on software tool that enhance the ability of expert surgeon to reach a more precise diagnosis of the pelvic anatomy structures, compared to MRI alone. Getting a more precise description of the pelvic anatomy allows a better planning of the corrective procedure needed and preoperative assessment of the expected prognosis.

Phenotypic and clinical aspects of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome in a Chinese population: an analysis of 594 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the phenotypic and clinical aspects of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Five hundred and ninety-four patients with MRKH syndrome. INTERVENTION(S): Clinical examination, abdominal or perineal/rectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, hormonal profile, karyotype, and laparoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinicopathologic data, VCUAM (vagina cervix uterus adnex-associated malformation) classification, types with cycle phase, and karyotype. RESULT(S): We identified associated malformations in 43 out of 594 (7.2%) cases of MRKH. The 594 patients could be grouped into hormone phases: 53.7% follicular, 35.2% luteal, and 11.1% ovulatory. The major karyotype of MRKH patients was 46,XX; abnormal karyotypes were found in two cases. CONCLUSION(S): A lower proportion of associated malformations were found when compared with those provided in the current literature. Renal anomalies were the most frequent associated malformations, and most of the patients presented with a normal karyotype. Given the large cohort of this study, the lower malformation rates might be related to geographic or referral patterns, so further investigation is warranted.