The clinical antiprotozoal drug nitazoxanide has been demonstrated to improve the experimental diabetes mellitus, lipid metabolism disorders, atherosclerosis and inhibit inflammation. Since the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF) is multifactorial and closely associated with the aforementioned diseases, we aim to study the effect of nitazoxanide on high-fat diet (HFD) plus L-NAME (N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester)-induced HFpEF and metabolic syndrome in mice. We found that oral nitazoxanide improved cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, cardiac diastolic dysfunction, increased blood pressure, impaired exercise tolerance, impaired glucose handling, serum lipid disorders, hepatic steatosis, increased weight of white adipose tissues and kidney fibrosis in HFD + L-NAME-treated mice. In the established HFD + L-NAME-induced HFpEF and metabolic syndrome mouse model, therapeutic treatment with nitazoxanide rescued HFD + L-NAME-induced pathological phenotypes as mentioned above. The in vitro experiments revealed that tizoxanide, the active metabolite of nitazoxanide, increased the basal mitochondria metabolism of cardiomyocytes, inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and collagen secretion from cardiac fibroblasts, and relaxed phenylephrine- and U46619-induced constriction of rat mesenteric arteries, indicating that the direct effect of tizoxanide might partly contribute to the protective effect of nitazoxanide against HFpEF in vivo. The present study suggests that nitazoxanide might be a potential drug for HFpEF and metabolic syndrome therapy.

Penicillin G acylases (PGAs) are industrially important enzymes primarily used for the synthesis of first- and second-generation cephalosporins or penicillins. This study aims to establish a high-efficiency biosynthetic system for cefradine on the purpose of significantly enhancing its catalytic efficiency in cefradine synthesis and developing its potentials for industrial application. In this study, we identified and engineered penicillin G acylase and obtained a highly active mutant KsPGA M7(M168F/F313G) for the synthesis of cefradine. The mutant achieved a conversion rate over 95% in the scaled-up reaction. To validate its industrial applicability, we immobilized both the wild-type and mutant enzymes and applied them in continuous flow reactions, which achieved a space-time yield of 2 800 g/(L·d). This study lays a foundation for the future applications of penicillin G acylases in the industrial synthesis of cefradine.
Penicillin Amidase/biosynthesis* ; Protein Engineering/methods* ; Cephradine/metabolism* ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism* ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis*

Objective To investigate the effect of glycine N-methyl transferase (GNMT)on intrauterine adhesion (IUA)fibrosis and its related mechanism.Methods In vivo experiment:A total of 36 healthy female SD rats (SPF grade,6～8 weeks old and weighing from 180～220 g)were subjected in this study.IUA model of SD rats and IUA model of GNMT overexpressed rats were established.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence assay were applied to detect GNMT expression level in normal uterus and model group.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related molecules and the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in each group.The number of endometrial glands in each group was observed by HE staining.Masson staining was used to analyze the severity of endometrial fibrosis in each group.In vitro experiment:transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESCs)fibrotic phenotype model was constructed using TGF-β1,and THESCs stably transfected with GNMT overexpression lentvirus were treated with TGF-β1.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of fibrosis-related molecules.The expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was activated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway activator (SRI-011381),and the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and key molecular proteins of fibrosis phenotype was measured with Western blotting.Results In vivo experiment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GNMT were significantly decreased in the IUA rats than the control rats (P<0.05).Overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis related molecules,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN in the IUA rats (P<0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation levels of TGF-β1 and its downstream Smad3 protein (P<0.05).HE and Masson staining showed that overexpression of GNMT could increase the number of endometrial glands and reduce the severity of fibrosis in the IUA rats (P<0.05).In vitro experiments:overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN associated with fibrotic phenotype of THESCs (P<0.05),and reduced the phosphorylation level of Smad3 protein,downstream of TGF-β1 (P<0.05).After activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,the protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and downstream fibrosis phenotype molecules,Collagen Ⅲ and FN,were significantly decreased in the LV-GNMT+SRI-011381 group.Conclusion Overexpression of GNMT can inhibit endometrial fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thus achieving therapeutic effect on IUA.

Objective:To investigate the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK), and recombinant C-Ros oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1) in Spitz tumors, and to analyze their associations with clinical and histopathological features of Spitz tumors.Methods:Clinical and histopathological characteristics, as well as follow-up data, were collected from patients with Spitz tumors at Department of Pathology, Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to August 2023, and retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining for ALK, pan-TRK, and ROS1 was performed on skin tissues, and associations between the expression of these kinase proteins and clinicopathological features were analyzed.Results:A total of 57 patients with Spitz tumors were collected, including 36 females and 21 males. Immunohistochemical staining showed that 30 (52.6%) patients were positive for ALK, 4 (7.0%) were positive for ROS1, only 2 (3.5%) were positive for TRK, and 21 (36.8%) were negative for the three kinase proteins. Among the 30 ALK-positive patients, the median age was 9.5 years, 21 (70.0%) were females, and 15 (50.0%) presented with lesions on the face, which mainly manifested as papules or nodules; histologically, 29 (96.7%) patients had hypopigmented tumors with an exophytic growth pattern, and the tumor cells were mainly large and long spindle cells arranged in long cord-like, plexiform or fascicular patterns. Among the 4 ROS1-positive patients, there were 3 females and 1 male, presenting with exophytic papules or polyps; histologically, tumor cells were mostly arranged in small nests, without obvious clefts around cell nests. Two TRK-positive patients were both males aged 20 and 50 years respectively, and presented with brown and skin-colored flat papules, respectively; histologically, the tumors were located superficially with a flat base, and tumor cells spread in a pagetoid pattern in the epidermis, with some epithelioid cells and small cell nests. Among the 21 patients negative for the 3 kinase proteins, 9 were males and 12 were females, and they clinically presented with macules, papules and polypoid lesions; histologically, most tumors were located superficially, consisting of a mixture of epithelioid cells and spindle cells, with rare cytological atypia and mitotic figures, and 2 cases showed mild tissue structural and cellular atypia. Fifty-seven patients were followed up for 2 - 83.3 months, with a median follow-up of 19.2 months. Only 1 ALK-positive child experienced a recurrence, and no recurrence or lymph node metastasis was observed in the other cases.Conclusions:Among the three kinase proteins, ALK showed the highest positive rate in Spitz tumors in this study, while TRK- and ROS1-positive cases were sporadic. Histopathologically, ALK-positive Spitz tumor cells were mainly long spindle cells arranged in long cord-like or plexiform patterns, while TRK- and ROS1-positive Spitz tumors tended to have small cell nests. Both the kinase protein-positive and -negative Spitz tumors mostly had a good prognosis.

MethodIn the experiment， 46% vol Red Star Erguotou （10 mL·kg·d^-1） was used to establish the AONFH rat model， and the intervention effect of JPHGP at different doses （2.5， 5.0， 10.0 g·kg^-1） was observed. Jiangusheng pill （JGS， 1.53 g·kg^-1） was selected as the positive control. After 8 weeks of administration， the bone histomorphometry of the femoral head was analyzed by Micro-CT imaging， and the area of medullary microvessels in the femoral head was detected by ink perfusion. The pathological change was observed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. The protein expressions of Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 （CD31）， VEGF， VEGFR2， PI3K， phosphor-Akt （p-Akt） and phosphatase and Tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 （PTEN） in the femoral head were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. ResultCompared with normal group， the model group presented the fracture and thinning of trabeculae in the femoral head， increased empty bone lacunae， and elevated number and diameter of adipocytes （P<0.01）. Micro-CT imaging revealed a decrease in bone mineral density （BMD）， bone volume fraction （BV/TV）， trabecular thickness （Tb.Th） and trabecular number （Tb.N） （P<0.05， P<0.01） while an increase in bone surface-to-volume ratio （BS/BV） and trabecular separation （Tb.Sp） （P<0.01）. The results of ink perfusion showed that the area of medullary microvessels in the femoral head was reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， JPHGP lowered the empty bone lacunae rate as well as the number and diameter of adipocytes in the femoral head of AONFH rats. Micro-CT imaging indicated that JPHGP low-dose group had elevated BV/TV， Tb.Th and Tb.N （P<0.05， P<0.01） while decreased BS/BV （P<0.01）， and there was an upward trend in BMD while a downward trend in Tb.Sp， but without statistical difference. In addition， JPHGP medium- and high-dose groups had a rise in BMD， BV/TV， Tb.Th and Tb.N （P<0.05， P<0.01）， a decrease in BS/BV and Tb.Sp （P<0.05， P<0.01） and enlarged area of medullary microvessels in the femoral head （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of CD31， VEGF， VEGFR2， PI3K， p-Akt in the model group were lower than those in the normal group （P<0.01）， and after medium and high doses of JPHGP treatment， the expressions of CD31， PI3K and p-Akt in the femoral head of rats were up-regulated （P<0.01） while the protein expression of PTEN was down-regulated （P<0.01）. Moreover， JPHGP up-regulated the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionJPHGP can repair the vascular injury in AONFH， and its mechanism may be related to the activation of VEGF/VEGFR2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This study provides certain scientific basis and reference for the clinical application of JPHGP. ObjecctiveTo observe the repair effect of Jianpi Huogu prescription （JPHGP） on vascular injury in experimental alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head （AONFH）， and to explore its mechanism based on vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）/VEGFR2/phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway.

Purpose: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an established therapeutic target for various kinds of solid tumors. HER2 amplification occurs in approximately 1% to 6% of colorectal cancer. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Materials and Methods: An open-label, phase II trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03185988) was designed to evaluate the antitumor activity of trastuzumab and chemotherapy in HER2-positive digestive cancers excluding gastric cancer in 2017. Patients from this trial with HER2-positive, KRAS/BRAF wild-type, unresectable mCRC were analyzed in this manuscript. Eligible patients were treated with trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose and then 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks) and irinotecan (120 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate. Results: Twenty-one HER2-positive mCRC patients were enrolled in this study. Seven patients (33.3%) achieved an objective res-ponse, and 11 patients (52.4%) had stable disease as their best response. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.7 to 5.9). Four of the 21 patients (19.0%) had grade 3 adverse events, including leukopenia, neutropenia, urinary tract infection, and diarrhea. No treatment-related death was reported. Exploratory analyses revealed that high tumor tissue HER2 copy number was associated with better therapeutic response and PFS. Alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, HER2 gene, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathway, and cell cycle control genes were potential drivers of trastuzumab resistance in mCRC. Conclusion Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy is a potentially effective and well-tolerated therapeutic regimen in mCRC with a high HER2 copy number.

There are many kinds o f Taraxacum plants，which are widely distributed . The dried whole plants of many kinds of plants can be used as medicinal materials ，and the origin is confused . This study finds that Taraxaci Herba first appears as “Pugoncao”in the Liu Juanzi Guiyifang of Jin Dynasty after consulting ancient herbal books ，medical books ，prescription books and modern literature . According to characteristics ，morphology，color and sound of the plant ，it has “Huanghualang”， “Gounoucao”，“Fugongying”，“Pugongying”，“Huanghuadiding”and other aliases . Taraxaci Herba originates from the dried whole plant of Compositae family Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.，T. borealisinense Kitam. or several plants of the same genus . Similar to it ，Sonchus oleraceus Linn.（also known as “Kujucai”）cannot replace Taraxaci Herba as medicine . Because of its characteristics of rapid reproduction and vigorous growth ，Taraxaci Herba is widely distributed in most areas of China .“Absolutely no in Lingnan ”stated in Bencao Gangmu is inconsistent with the actual situation after consulting the relevant works . Ancient physicians take growth height of Taraxaci Herba as their quality standard . Now，those with many leaves ，gray green color and long roots are preferred . Ancient doctors pointed out that Taraxaci Herba were mostly harvested in April and May of the lunar calendar ， and modern research believes that it should be harvested in the near flowering period . In ancient times ，Taraxaci Herba is processed by many methods ，such as purification ，charcoal-frying，honey-frying and wine -frying. In modern times ，purification is the main method. This paper provides theoretical support for the value development and rational utilization of Taraxaci Herba by systematically researching its name ，origin，place of production ，harvesting and processing .

Cell pyroptosis is a programmed death of inflammatory cells. Many members of the gasdermin family （the effector protein family that forms pores） participate in the pathological process of a variety of diseases， such as cancer， myocardial ischemia， renal injury， and osteoarthritis， mainly by activating cysteine aspartate-specific protease （Caspase） for polymerization and shear. Cell pyroptosis has bidirectional regulation. Induction of pyroptosis can promote cell clearance under pathological conditions （such as cancer and tumor cells）， but long-term induction of pyroptosis can lead to abnormal lipid and related vitamin metabolism in vivo. Regulating the balance between cell pyroptosis and proliferation is an important target for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment of diseases. The Yin-Yang theory runs through the whole process of TCM diagnosis and treatment， which is used to explain the physiological and pathological changes of human body and guide the theory， diagnosis and treatment of diseases and health care. The balance between cell proliferation and pyroptosis is essentially the embodiment of Yin-Yang balance at the cellular level， and the theory of Yin-Yang spontaneous harmonization dominates the balance. TCM intervention on cell pyroptosis is mainly reflected in promoting and inhibiting cell pyroptosis， which has the same significance as Yin-Yang regulation. Based on this theory， this paper revealed the relationship between TCM inhibiting and promoting cell pyroptosis through the Yin-Yang theory， to provide theoretical support for the modernization of the Yin-Yang theory and new goals for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Vitamin AD is an essential nutrient in human, which can maintain the normal function of vision, immune system, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal epithelium and nervous system.Preterm infants are prone to vitamin AD deficiency due to low prenatal storage, low food intake, high energy metabolism, et al.Studies have shown that early supplementation of vitamin AD can promote the growth and development of preterm infants.This paper summarizes recent advances of vitamin AD supplementation in the improvement of retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, brain injury and metabolic bone diseases of prematurity.The result has showed that vitamin AD supplementation within 1 week after birth could improve the occurrence of complications in preterm infants, which could provide new ideas and methods for reducing the major complications of preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out genetic testing for a child featuring global developmental delay, abnormal liver function, congenital heart disease, and brain malformation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA and trio-whole exome sequencing. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Genetic testing revealed that the child has harbored a heterozygous c.2002G>T (p.Glu668Ter) variant of the SMARCA2 gene, which was predicted to be likely pathogenic by bioinformatic analysis. His mother was found to be a low-percentage mosaic for the same variant, with a ratio of 0.054 (246/4549). CONCLUSION The child was diagnosed with Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome resulting from maternal mosaicism for the SMARCA2 gene variant.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Mosaicism ; Parents ; Developmental Disabilities ; Mothers