1.Genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis of structural brain abnormalities associated with TUBB gene c.155A>G variant.
Yifan LIU ; Wei SONG ; Xinlian WANG ; Yan RUAN ; Meng ZHANG ; Yujiao CHEN ; Yan LIU ; Puqing ZHANG ; Li WANG ; Yousheng YAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(2):136-142
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genotype-phenotype correlation in a Chinese family with structural brain abnormalities due to variant of the TUBB gene.
METHODS:
A family undergoing prenatal diagnosis at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in October 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were collected. Amniotic fluid sample was subjected to chromosomal copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). Trio whole-exome sequencing (Trio-WES) was carried out on the amniotic fluid and parental blood samples, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2023-KY-076-01).
RESULTS:
Both prenatal ultrasound and fetal MRI showed deviation of brain midline, unilateral lateral ventriculomegaly, and bilateral gyral asymmetry. Trio-WES revealed that the fetus has harbored a maternally derived heterozygous missense variant of the TUBB gene [NM_178014.4: c.155A>G (p.N52S)]. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the woman and a previously terminated fetus both harbored the same variant. Both the proband and two fetuses exhibited similar neuroimaging abnormalities including midline deviation and asymmetrical gyri. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PS2_Moderate+PS3).
CONCLUSION
The heterozygous c.155A>G (p.N52S) variant was the TUBB gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of the structural brain abnormalities in this family. Above findings have expanded the phenotypic spectrum associated with the variant and facilitated the prenatal diagnosis for this family.
Humans
;
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Prenatal Diagnosis
;
Tubulin/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Brain/diagnostic imaging*
;
Male
;
Pedigree
;
DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Genetic Association Studies
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
2.Quality of care among patients with acute heart failure at the emergency room and adherence of physicians at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital to the division of cardiovascular medicine – heart failure pathway:A retrospective cohort study.
Mark John D. Sabando ; Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan ; Frances Dominique V. Ho ; Tam Adrian P. Aya-ay ; Kevin Paul Da. Enriquez ; Marie Kirk A. Maramara ; Ronald Allan B. Roderos ; Lauren Kay M. Evangelista
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(2):22-32
OBJECTIVES
Clinical pathways (CPs) ensure adherence to heart failure (HF) management guidelines. To optimize quality care in a low resource setting, an evidence-based care pathway for the management of acute HF was implemented at the emergency department (ED) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the designated national tertiary hospital and referral center. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of adults with acute HF admitted at the ED and evaluate the quality of care they received, measured using physician adherence to the hospital’s acute heart failure CP.
METHODSThis was a retrospective, descriptive cohort study. We reviewed the inpatient charts of all adult patients with acute HF admitted to the ED of the PGH and referred to the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine between December 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. Quality of care was assessed based on adherence to quality indicators adapted from routine and conditional order sets detailed in the pathway. Descriptive statistics was utilized to describe patient characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes.
RESULTSTwo hundred thirty-six (236) patients were included, with a mean age of 51.8 years. Majority were male (53.4%); hypertension (61.4%) and ischemic heart disease (53.8%) were the most common comorbidities, and infection the most common precipitant of decompensation (60.6%). There were optimal adherence rates to routine orders, which included referrals to Internal Medicine and Cardiology, baseline vital signs monitoring, fluid intake and output monitoring, chest radiograph, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, arterial blood gas, urinalysis, and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide. Conditional orders, such as oxygen support, focused echocardiography, thyroid - stimulating hormone, and the use of vasopressors, diuretics, and venous thromboembolism prophylactic agents, were optimally performed when warranted. However, we noted suboptimal adherence to certain resource-intensive conditional orders, such as hourly monitoring of urine output (61.4%), hooking to cardiac monitor (53.8%), and performance of 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes (56.8%). Further, only 43.9% of patients were referred to the intensive care unit. Troponin I, calcium, magnesium, and albumin were ordered in excess.
CONCLUSIONOverall adherence rate of physicians to the hospital’s Acute Heart Failure Pathway was satisfactory. Work is needed to improve adherence to hourly urine output monitoring, consistent hooking to cardiac monitor, and timely performance of 12-lead ECG – an effort that begins with expanding in-hospital diagnostic equipment and human resource supply. We recommend continuous pathway implementation with periodic evaluation and stakeholder feedback to further improve quality of care.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Albumins ; Blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium ; Cardiology ; Chart ; Charts ; Cohort Studies ; Critical Care ; Critical Pathways ; Diagnostic Equipment ; Disease ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Equipment And Supplies ; Evaluation Studies As Topic ; Feedback ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Hormones ; Hospitals ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Indicators And Reagents ; Infection ; Infections ; Inpatients ; Intensive Care Units ; Internal Medicine ; Lead ; Magnesium ; Male ; Medicine ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Natriuretic Peptides ; Nitrogen ; Overall ; Oxygen ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Patients ; Peptides ; Philippines ; Physicians ; Potassium ; Prothrombin ; Prothrombin Time ; Quality Of Health Care ; Referral And Consultation ; Sodium ; Statistics ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thorax ; Thromboembolism ; Thromboplastin ; Thyroid Gland ; Time ; Troponin ; Troponin I ; Universities ; Urea ; Urinalysis ; Urine ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Vital Signs ; Work ; Workforce
3.Outcomes of the survivors of combat related penetrating brain injury in a tertiary care military facility from a low to moderate income country.
Christopher Brian M. Reyes ; Rhoby U. Orata ; Abdul-aziz D. Ontok
Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties 2026;81(1):8-17
BACKGROUND
Penetrating brain injury (PBI) is a leading cause of combat mortality but local outcome data is limited. The authors examined combat-related PBI cases to describe patient characteristics and identify clinical and radiologic predictors of functional recovery
METHODSThis is a retrospective cohort study of military personnel aged 18–56 years with combat-related PBI referred to VLGH AFPMC between January 2017 to June 2022. The authors collected demographics data, injury mechanism, pre-hospital and transfer details, admission clinical and radiologic findings, treatments, and follow-up outcomes. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), dichotomized into unfavorable (GOS 1–3) and favorable (GOS 4–5), was used to assess functional status. Associations were tested with Fisher’s Exact Test.
RESULTSThirty-seven patients met inclusion criteria: 31 survivors with follow-up and 6 who died in hospital. All were male; gunshot wounds accounted for 81% of injuries. At a median follow-up of 27 months, among survivors, 74% had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15 and 45% achieved good recovery (GOS 5). Pre-hospital timing measures (evacuation time, interval to surgery, and transfer delays) were not significantly associated with outcome. Favorable outcomes correlated strongly with higher admission GCS (p < 0.001), preserved baseline motor function (p < 0.001), smaller hemorrhage volume (p = 0.01), and injury limited to a single lobe (p < 0.001). Unfavorable outcomes were associated with intracranial infection, post-traumatic seizures, and need for multiple surgeries (all p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONFunctional recovery after combat-related PBI in this cohort was principally determined by initial neurologic status, injury extent, and subsequent complications The lack of association with pre-hospital timing possibly reflects survivorship bias and incomplete capture of early fatalities.
Human ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Wounds, Gunshot ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic
4.Steroid-Responsive Encephalopathy Associated With Thyroiditis
Chua Chong Yee ; Nur Haziqah Baharum ; Fadzliana Hanum Jalal ; Gunavathy Muthusamy
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):107-
Introduction:
Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with
thyroiditis (STREAT) is a rare clinical entity. Clinical
presentations of STREAT can range from a strokelike presentation to psychiatric symptoms. STREAT is
diagnosed based on four major criteria which include
altered cognitive function, new or worsening psychiatric
symptoms, elevated antithyroid antibodies, and exclusion
of infectious, toxic, metabolic, or neoplastic causes. Corticosteroids are the cornerstone of treatment, with reported
excellent response in neurocognitive symptoms resolution.
Case:
This was a case of a 48-year-old male with Graves’s disease
who underwent radioiodine therapy 4 months earlier
and was started on levothyroxine 100 mcg 2 weeks prior
to presentation. He presented with 4 days of behavioral
symptoms, irritable mood with auditory and visual
hallucinations. There was no history of fever, headache, limb
weakness, or seizure. On general appearance, the patient
was agitated, talking incoherently, and disorientated with
normal vitals. There was no delayed relaxation of the reflex. The examination of the cranial nerve, motor, sensory, and
cerebellar system was normal. A lumbar puncture showed
normal opening pressure with a high protein CSF content
of 1,596 mg/L. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was
elevated at 72.7 uIU/mL and T4 at 9.56 pmol/L. Serum antithyroid peroxidase was elevated at 877.42 IU/mL, and antiTSH receptor antibody at 21.30 IU/L. CSF oligonal band,
serum aquaporin-4, and viral screening were negative; noncontrasted computed tomography brain revealed normal
findings. Based on the clinical history and examination,
a diagnosis of STREAT was made at the emergency
department. The patient was initiated on hydrocortisone
100 mg three times a day. Within 24–48 hours of steroid
therapy, marked improvement and subsequent resolution
of the mental status and behavioral symptoms were seen.
Conclusion
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can rarely lead to STREAT, a
condition with diverse neurological manifestations, where
early recognition and prompt corticosteroid therapy are
essential for favorable outcomes.
Brain Diseases
;
Thyroiditis
;
Steroids
5.Molecular Plot Twist: H3 G34V Mutation and MET Amplification in a Diffuse Hemispheric Glioma
Viktoria Madelaine R. Beltran ; Edwin L. Muñ ; oz ; Marie Christine F. Bernardo
Philippine Journal of Pathology 2026;(75th PSP Research Competition Abstracts):1-
Introduction:
Diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3G34-mutant (DHG-H3G34m) (CNS
WHO grade 4), is a rare, recently characterized subtype of pediatric high-grade glioma.
This is the first histopathologically and molecularly confirmed case of DHG-H3G34m
in the Philippines, underscoring the rarity of the tumor and the growing capacity for
molecular neuropathologic diagnostics in the country
Case Description:
This is a case of a 16-year-old male with a right fronto-parietal
tumor. MRI and CT scan shows a large, lobulated, contrast-enhancing mass. Histologic
examination reveals a hypercellular neoplasm with sheets of pleomorphic cells with
hyperchromatic nuclei, irregular nuclear membranes, and moderate amphophilic
cytoplasm. Foci of multinucleated giant cells, microcalcifications, microvascular
proliferation, and necrosis are seen. Immunohistochemical studies (IHCs) with GFAP
and H3 G34V reveal diffuse positivity. There is loss of expression of OLIG2 and ATRX.
Molecular analysis revealed alterations in H3-3A G34V, TP53, ATRX, and an ST7::MET
fusion leading to MET amplification.
Discussion:
The working diagnosis prior to IHCs was High Grade Neoplasm with
differentials of epithelioid glioblastoma, glioblastoma with giant cell features and
anaplastic ependymoma. The IHC and molecular findings support the diagnosis of
DHG-H3G34m. DHG-H3G34m are caused by mutations in the H3-3A gene which alter
the 34th amino acid in the H3.3 histone. Usually a glycine-to-arginine (G34R) mutation
is found, but in few instances such as in this case, there is a glycine-to-valine (G34V)
mutation. These have poor prognosis with no known targetable treatment; however,
the MET fusion found in this case may possibly be treated with MET-tyrosine kinase
inhibitors.
Conclusion
This is a case of diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3G34-mutant (CNS WHO
grade 4) with a rare H3 G34V mutation and MET amplification in a 16-year-old male,
the first histomorphologically and molecularly confirmed case in the Philippines.
Child
;
Brain Neoplasms
;
Glioma
6.A case report of a family with Primary familial brain calcification caused by a novel MYORG gene variants.
Enkui XIA ; Yixin KANG ; Xiaosheng ZHENG ; Wei LUO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(4):474-479
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) family, and analyze the pathogenic mechanism of MYORG gene variants.
METHODS:
A 17-year-old female who presented to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine on 13 May 2024 with "paroxysmal limb twitching for 1 day" was enrolled. The patient and her parents underwent clinical evaluation and neuroimaging. Peripheral blood samples were collected for whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and interpreted using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants (hereinafter referred to as the ACMG Guidelines). This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Ethics No. 2020-674).
RESULTS:
The patient experienced epileptic seizures. Cranial CT revealed multiple calcifications in the bilateral basal ganglia and cerebellum, with a total calcification score of 23. WES identified compound heterozygous variants in MYORG: c.337_348dup (p.Leu113_Arg116dup), a known pathogenic variant, and c.1268T>G (p.Val423Gly). Segregation analysis showed that the father carried the c.337_348dup heterozygous variant, whereas the mother carried the c.1268T>G heterozygous variant. According to ACMG guidelines, the c.1268T>G variant was classified as "likely pathogenic" (PM2_Supporting + PM3_Supporting + PP1_Supporting + PP3_Moderate + PP4_Supporting).
CONCLUSION
The novel compound heterozygous MYORG variants c.337_348dup and c.1268T>G have broadened the mutational spectrum of the MYORG gene and further supported compound heterozygosity as an important genetic mechanism in MYORG-related PFBC.
Adolescent
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Brain Diseases/genetics*
;
Calcinosis/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Pedigree
;
Glycoside Hydrolases
7.Genetic analysis of a child with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and Cerebroretinal microangiopathy with calcifications and cysts and a literature review.
Tao JIANG ; Shuangjie LI ; Yanfang TAN ; Wenxian OUYANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(4):486-494
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical characteristics and genetic cause of a child with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and Cerebroretinal microangiopathy with calcifications and cysts (CRMCC) and to review the literature.
METHODS:
Clinical data of a child with gastrointestinal hemorrhage with CRMCC admitted to the Hepatology Department of Hunan Children's Hospital in September 2019 were collected, and peripheral blood DNA of the child and his parents were analyzed by whole exome sequencing. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing, followed by bioinformatics analysis, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants pathogenicity classification, and protein structure prediction. A literature search with "Coats Plus syndrome" or "Cerebroretinal microangiopathy with calcifications and cysts" as keywords was conducted at PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases to include recently published studies (up to December 2023). This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Hunan Children's Hospital (Ethics No. KY2020-07). Informed consent for clinical research was obtained from the guardian of the child.
RESULTS:
The proband was a 10-year-10-month-old boy. The clinical manifestations were intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, liver fibrosis, panhemopenia, bilateral exudative retinopathy, intracranial lesions and facial pigmentation. WES and Sanger sequencing revealed two novel heterozygous variants in the CTC1 gene: c.787G>A (p.Val263Met) in exon 5 and c.2930C>G (p.Ser977Cys) in exon 17, which were inherited from his mother and father, respectively. According to ACMG pathogenicity classification, both missense variants were classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Protein structure prediction showed the absence of LIG_SH3_3 motif and LIG_SH3_3 motif, and the p.Ser977Cys mutation may affect the binding between CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN) complex and DNA strand. The child had continued to experience recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding episodes despite propranolol treatment, but the condition was controlled after liver transplantation. According to the predefined literature search strategy of this study, a total of 10 relevant articles on pediatric CRMCC patients were retrieved, involving 11 children with gastrointestinal bleeding. Pharmacological and endoscopic therapies play a certain role in the management of CRMCC children complicated with gastrointestinal bleeding.
CONCLUSION
The CTC1 gene c.787G>A and c.2930C>G variants probably underlay CRMCC in this child. This study has broadened the variation spectrum of CTC1-related diseases and provided a basis for genetic counseling. Liver transplantation may be an important treatment for gastrointestinal hemorrhage in children who do not respond well to medication and endoscopic therapy.
Humans
;
Male
;
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/genetics*
;
Child
;
Calcinosis/genetics*
;
Cysts/genetics*
;
Central Nervous System Cysts/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Leukoencephalopathies
;
Retinal Diseases
;
Seizures
;
Muscle Spasticity
;
Brain Neoplasms
;
Ataxia
8.Newborn screening, clinical characteristics and genetic variant analysis of Glutaric acidemia type I in Henan Province.
Xinyun ZHU ; Dehua ZHAO ; Yizhuo XU ; Jie ZHANG ; Xiaole LI ; Suna LIU ; Min NI ; Yihui REN ; Chong ZHANG ; Yaqing GUO ; Junqi LI ; Shubo LYU ; Chenlu JIA ; Ying SHI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(6):641-647
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the incidence, clinical features, genetic variant characteristics and prognosis of Glutaric acidemia type I (GA1) among neonates from Henan Province.
METHODS:
A total of 814 625 neonates undergoing screening for inherited metabolic diseases by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2016 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects. A retrospective method was adopted to collect the clinical data of the patients. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to detect GCDH gene variants in individuals with positive results by GA1 newborn screening, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the candidate variants. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the pathogenicity of candidate variants was rated. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics Number: 2019 Medical Ethics Review No. 67).
RESULTS:
Eight cases of GA1 were diagnosed among the 814 625 neonates. Blood glutaryl carnitine (C5DC) and urine glutaric acid (GA) levels of the 8 children were higher than the normal reference values. In total 12 variants were detected, all of which were missense variants. c.1064G>A (p.Arg355His) was the most common one, accounting for 21.4% (3/14). Three GCDH gene variants, including 1297G>C (p.Ala433Pro), c.467G>A (p.Gly156Asp) and c.1125T>G (p.Cys375Trp), were previously unreported. REVEL software analysis predicted that all of the three variants were harmful. 3D protein structure modeling indicated that the three variants may cause amino acid residue alterations, and c.1297G>C (p.Ala433Pro) and c.1125T>G (p.Cys375Trp) may result in increase in hydrogen bonds and affect the function of GCDH protein. By December 2023, one of the eight children had deceased, and another child had severe clinical symptoms with poor prognosis. Six children had a good prognosis, of which two had mild motor development delay and four had normal development without clinical symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of GA1 in newborns screened by MS/MS in Henan Province is 1/101 828, and the carrier rate of pathogenic GCDH variants is 1/160. The c.1064G>A (p.Arg355His) may be the hotspot variant of the GCDH gene among children with GA1 in Henan. Discovery of the three novel variants has enriched the mutational spectrum of the GCDH gene and provide a basis for the early diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and genetic counseling of this disease.
Humans
;
Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/epidemiology*
;
Glutaryl-CoA Dehydrogenase/chemistry*
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Female
;
Neonatal Screening/methods*
;
Male
;
Brain Diseases, Metabolic/epidemiology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Mutation
;
Genetic Variation
;
Glutarates
9.Mechanism of inhibiting miR-34a-5p expression and promoting bone growth in mouse brain tissue by Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract.
Yuan-Yuan PEI ; Yan XIE ; Na YIN ; Wen-Long MA ; Wei-Peng XING ; Gui-Zhi WANG ; Qing-Feng WANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(10):1061-1070
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism by which the extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes bone growth in mice by modulation of the expression of miR-34a-5p in brain tissue.
METHODS:
Mice were assigned to four experimental groups:a normal control group, a drug administration group (receiving 0.320 mg·g-1 body weight of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract via intragastric administration), a positive control group (receiving 0.013 mg·g-1 body weight of jujube seed saponin via intragastric administration), and a combination group administration with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract plus a 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist (intragastric administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract combined with intracerebroventricular injection of 8 μg P-MPPF per mice for the final three days of the experiment). Following a 20-day administration period, the effects of the interventions on bone growth, serum growth hormone (GH) levels, and 5-HT2AR expression in brain tissue were evaluated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that were differentially expressed in the brain tissues of mice exhibiting bone growth induced by Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract, as compared to those in normal mice, were identified using a gene chip approach. The interaction between miR-34a-5p and 5-HT2AR was subsequently validated through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chainreaction (RT-qPCR) and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Subsequently, by utilizing the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group and mimics group, along with the normal control group, the drug administration group, the positive control group, and the drug administration combined with miR-34a-5p inhibitor group, the variations in 5-HT2AR expression in mouse brain tissue across all groups were examined, and the binding activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) in mice was assessed.
RESULTS:
The body lengths of the normal control group and the drug administration group were(8.9±0.3) and(10.4±0.4) cm;femur lengths were (8.5±0.3) and (9.1±0.5) mm;tibia lengths were (10.7±0.3) and (11.2±0.4) mm, respectively. The contents of GH levels were (58.6±8.2) and (72.9±6.1) ng·ml-1;and the contents of 5-HT2AR were (32.0±5.0) and (21.9± 5.5) ng·ml-1, respectively. Compared with the normal control group, the drug administration group promoted the growth of body length, femur, and tibia in mice, and increased GH secretion, showing statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Additionally, it significantly reduced the content of 5-HT2AR in brain tissue, with statistical significance (P<0.01). The gene chip analysis identified a total of 16 differentially expressed miRNAs, of which 13 were up-regulated and 3 were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the up-regulated miR-34a-5p could regulate the expression of 5-HT2AR, a prediction that was confirmed through a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, demonstrating a direct regulatory interaction between the two. Furthermore, in vivo experiments in mice revealed that overexpression and silencing of miR-34a-5p resulted in corresponding changes in the expression levels of 5-HT2AR in brain tissues/cells, as well as in the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR.
CONCLUSION
The Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes animal bone growth by enhancing miR-34a-5p expression in brain tissue, downregulating the expression level of 5-HT2AR, improving the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR, and extending slow-wave sleep duration, thereby stimulating GH secretion.
Animals
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Ziziphus/chemistry*
;
Bone Development/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
10.Homer 1a overexpression alleviates nerve injury in mice with traumatic brain injury by regulating autophagy mediated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Yuan WANG ; Mengyang WANG ; Xiumin ZHANG ; Ming LUO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(1):31-37
Objective To investigate the effects and molecular mechanism of Homer protein homolog 1a (Homer 1a) overexpression on nerve injury in mice with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: sham group, TBI group, empty lentivirus (Lv-NC) group, Homer 1a overexpression lentivirus (Lv-Homer 1a) group and Lv-Homer 1a + 740 Y-P group, with 12 mice in each group. The lentivirus was orthotopic injected into the cerebral cortex of mice 5 d before modeling, while 740 Y-P was injected intraperitoneally 1 d before modeling. The TBI model was established using the free-fall impact method, and the modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) of the mice was assessed 72 h post-surgery. The water content of brain tissue was quantified, and the histopathological damage and neuronal loss in brain tissue were assessed using HE staining and Nissl staining respectively. The formation of autophagosomes in brain tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein expression levels of Homer 1a, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), Beclin 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylation PI3K(p-PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), p-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p-mTOR in brain tissue were detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared to the sham group, the mice in the TBI group exhibited a significant increase in mNSS and cerebral water content. Moreover, severe brain tissue pathological damage was observed, accompanied by a substantial loss of neurons and an increase in autophagosome formation. The protein expressions of Homer 1a and Beclin 1, as well as the protein ratio of LC3B-II/LC3B-I, in brain tissues were significantly elevated, while the protein ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly reduced. Compared to the TBI group, the Lv-Homer 1a group exhibited reduced mNSS and brain water content. Additionally, there was an improvement in pathological brain tissue damage and neuron loss. Furthermore, there was an increase in autophagosome formation and expression of autophagy-related proteins, while the protein ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR were decreased. Compared to the Lv-Homer 1a group, the nerve injury in the Lv-Homer 1a+740 Y-P group was exacerbated, accompanied by a reduction in autophagosome formation and expression of autophagy-related proteins, while the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was activated. Conclusion Overexpression of Homer 1a effectively mitigates neurological damage in TBI mice, potentially through modulation of autophagy mediated by the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
Animals
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Autophagy
;
Brain Injuries, Traumatic/pathology*
;
Male
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Homer Scaffolding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Signal Transduction
;
Mice


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