OBJECTIVE:To prepare bovine serum albumin(BSA)liposomes coated with N-trimethyl chitosan(TMC) and study the factors influencing the quality of the preparation.METHODS:BSA liposomes were prepared by the method of reverse-phase evaporation.TMC polymers for coating liposomes were synthesized by quaternary amination reaction between chitosan and methyl iodide.The TMC-coated BSA liposomes were prepared.The entrapment efficiency of BSA liposomes was determined by high speed centrifugation-Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 dye method.The effects of the composition ratio of soybean lecithin(PC):cholesterol(CH):phospbatidylserine(PS),the mass ratio of TMC to total lipid and the ionic strength on particle size and entrapment efficiency were investigated.RESULTS:All the factors investigated had influences on particle size and entrapment efficiency.The optimal formulation was as follows:PC:CH:PS was 8:9:1,TMC to lipid phase ratio was 0.25:1 and ionic strength was less than 20 mmol?L~(-1).The entrapment efficiency prepared in the above conditions was (46.82?2.07)%.CONCLUSION:The TMC-coated BSA liposomes were obtained successfully and the preparation had uniform particle size and good stability.

To report the clinical, imaging, and pathological feature of a rare case of central precocious puberty with primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease(PPNAD), and to conduct a retrospective analysis of PPNAD with relevant literatures. The pubic hair was found in the child for more than one year. Physical examination showed Cushing′s syndrome. ACTH in blood decreased, cortisol rhythm was disordered, 24-hour urine free cortisol increased and the paradoxical increase of urine free cortisol after high dose dexamethasone suppression test. Adrenal enhancement computed tomography(CT)showed multiple small nodular shadows in bilateral adrenal glands. Gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH)stimulation test supported central precocious puberty and GnRH analogue was used to control the sexual development. PPNAD was supported by pathology result. The symptoms of Cushing′s syndrome were relieved partially after left adrenalectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS). METHODS: The child has featured poikeloderma, short stature, cataract, sparse hair and skeletal malformation. Peripheral blood samples of the child and her family members were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the RECQL4 gene, namely c.1048_1049delAG and c.2886-1G>A, among which c.2886-1G>A was unreported previously. According to the ACMG guidelines, the c.1048_1049delAG was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM3_Strong+PM2), while the c.2886-1G>A was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2). CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants of the RECQL4 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RTS in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the RECQL4 gene.
Child ; Family ; Female ; Humans ; Mutation ; RecQ Helicases/genetics* ; Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (CLAH) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, which is characterized by adrenal insufficiency and 46, XY sex reversal. Two cases of CLAH with 46, XY karyotype exhibited male external genitalia were reported to explore the clinical and genetic features. A retrospective analysis of CLAH with relevant literatures was performed.

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the changes of extraction rates of forsythiaside A and forsythin in Forsythia suspensa compatible with other medicinal material of Menshi huwei formula before and after decoction. METHODS： HPLC method was used to determine the extraction amounts and to calculate the extraction rates of forsythiaside A and forsythin in F. suspensa （5 g×7 doses）， F. suspensa （5 g×7 doses） compatible with Pinelliae rhizoma praeparatum cum zingibere et alumine （PRZA）， Menshi huwei formula [including 6 ingredients as F. suspense （5 g×7 doses）， PRZA] after decocted with water. The determination was performed on Diamonsil C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.2％ formic acid solution （gradient elution）. The detection wavelength was set at 278 nm， and the column temperature was 30 ℃. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min. RESULTS： The linear range of forsythiaside A and forsythin were 0.61-6.1， 0.246-2.46 μg （r＝0.999 7， 0.999 9）， respectively； RSDs of precision， stability （within 20 h） and reproducibility tests were all lower than 2％ （n＝6）. Average recovery rates were 96.10％-99.37％ （RSD≤2.36％，n＝6） respectively. In F. suspensa， extraction rates of forsythiaside A and forsythin were 96.90％ and 66.67％. In F. suspensa compatible with PRZA， extraction rates of them were 101.61％ and 54.55％. In Menshi huwei formula， extraction rates of them were 98.39％ and 84.85％. CONCLUSIONS： After F. suspensa is compatible with PRZA， the extraction rates of forsythiaside A is increased while forsythin is decreased. After compatible with other medicinal material in Menshi huwei formula， extraction rates of both are increased slightly.

The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling exert essential regulatory function in microbial-and onco-immunology through the induction of cytokines, primarily type I interferons. Recently, the aberrant and deranged signaling of the cGAS-STING axis is closely implicated in multiple sterile inflammatory diseases, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, aortic aneurysm and dissection, obesity, etc. This is because of the massive loads of damage-associated molecular patterns (mitochondrial DNA, DNA in extracellular vesicles) liberated from recurrent injury to metabolic cellular organelles and tissues, which are sensed by the pathway. Also, the cGAS-STING pathway crosstalk with essential intracellular homeostasis processes like apoptosis, autophagy, and regulate cellular metabolism. Targeting derailed STING signaling has become necessary for chronic inflammatory diseases. Meanwhile, excessive type I interferons signaling impact on cardiovascular and metabolic health remain entirely elusive. In this review, we summarize the intimate connection between the cGAS-STING pathway and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. We also discuss some potential small molecule inhibitors for the pathway. This review provides insight to stimulate interest in and support future research into understanding this signaling axis in cardiovascular and metabolic tissues and diseases.