Objective To explore macrophage subpopulations in ischemic stroke (IS) by using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis and High-Dimensional Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (hdWGCNA). Methods Based on single-cell sequencing data, transcriptomic information for different cell types was obtained, and macrophages were selected for subpopulation identification. hdWGCNA, cell-cell communication, and pseudotime trajectory analysis were used to explore the characteristics of macrophage subpopulations following IS. Key genes related to IS were identified using microarray data and validated for diagnostic potential through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted to investigate the potential functions of these genes. Results The scRNA-seq data analysis revealed significant changes in macrophage subpopulation composition after IS. A specific macrophage subpopulation enriched in the stroke group was identified and designated as MCAO-specific macrophages (MSM). Pseudotime trajectory analysis indicated that MSM cells were in an intermediate stage of macrophage differentiation. Cell-cell communication analysis uncovered complex interactions between MSM cells and other cells, with the CCL6-CCR1 signaling axis potentially playing a crucial role in neuroinflammation. Two gene modules associated with MSM were identified via hdWGCNA, significantly enriched in pathways related to NOD-like receptors and antigen processing. By integrating differentially expressed MSM genes with conventional transcriptomic data, three IS-related hub genes were identified: Arg1, CLEC4D, and CLEC4E. Conclusion This study reveals the characteristics and functions of macrophage subpopulations following IS and identifies three hub genes with potential diagnostic value, providing novel insights into the pathological mechanisms of IS.
Macrophages/metabolism* ; Computational Biology/methods* ; Single-Cell Analysis/methods* ; Transcriptome ; Ischemic Stroke/metabolism* ; Animals ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male

From January 1, 2013, to March 1, 2024, nine patients with hematological malignancies complicated by Gilbert’s syndrome in Peking University People’s Hospital underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The patients comprised seven male and two female cases, with a median age of 38 (13-60) years old. Among them, three cases were acute myeloid leukemia, three cases were acute lymphocytic leukemia, two cases were myelodysplastic syndrome, and one case was chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. None of the patients had viral hepatitis. Of the nine cases, seven cases received the Bu-Cy+ATG regimen, while the other two cases received the TBI-Cy+ATG regimen (Bu, busulfan; Cy, cyclophosphamide; ATG, antithymocyte immunoglobulin; and TBI, total body irradiation). All patients achieved neutrophil engraftment, and eight received platelet engraftment. The median total bilirubin level was 45.4 (22.5-71.2) μmol/L before transplantation and 22.0 (18.0-37.2) μmol/L on -1d of preconditioning. The total bilirubin level on +20d after the transplantation of eight patients decreased compared with the baseline level before transplantation. Moreover, one patient had a transient increase in the total bilirubin level on +5d after transplantation, which was considered to be attributed to the toxicity of Bu. No patients were complicated by hepatic veno-occlusive disease. The median follow-up time was 739 (42-2 491) days. During the follow-up period, one patient died of recurrence, and the remaining eight patients had disease-free survival events.

N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification is one of the most abundant epitranscriptomic modifications in eukaryotic mRNA,with dynamic and reversible properties.This modification process is coordinated by methyltransferases,demethylases,and related m6A binding proteins,which in turn affect mRNA metabolism and function.Increasing evi-dence has indicated that the m6A RNA modification plays an important role in the occurrence and development of athero-sclerosis(As)and other related diseases.This paper provide a comprehensive review of the relationship between m6A RNA modification and As.The entire manuscript summarizes the m6A RNA modification mechanism and its roles in As-related cells including endothelial cells,macrophages,and smooth muscle cells,and discusses the association of m6A RNA modification with risk factors of As such as high-fat diet,ischemia/hypoxia,oscillatory stress,and hypertension.Finally,this review summarizes researches on drug intervention targeting m6A RNA methylation to mitigate As.These studies pro-vide important references for exploring new targets for early diagnosis and treatment of As.

Humans ; Goldenhar Syndrome ; Phenotype ; Mutation ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases/genetics* ; Peptide Elongation Factors/genetics* ; Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of low-dose uric acid oxidase in treating children with aggressive mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma accompanied by hyperuricemia.Methods:Clinical data of children with primary aggressive mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and hyperuricemia, who were treated in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The serum uric acid concentration was monitored in all pediatric patients from the day before chemotherapy to the seventh day of chemotherapy.Low-dose uric acid oxidase [0.05-0.10 mg/(kg·dose)] was intravenously injected into the patients when the serum uric acid level exceeded the upper limit of the normal range.The therapeutic effect and clinical medication experience of uric acid oxidase were summarized.The change of serum uric acid levels with time before and after the application of different doses of uric acid oxidase was analyzed by a repeated measures ANOVA. Results:A total of 106 children with primary aggressive mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and hyperuricemia were enrolled in this study.There were 88 males and 18 females, with a median age of 6.5 (3.5, 10.0) years.The pathological subtypes comprised Burkitt′s lymphoma in 95 cases (89.6%), high-grade B-cell lymphoma in 7 cases (6.6%), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 4 cases (3.8%). Additionally, 39 cases (36.8%) were in clinical stage Ⅲ and 67 cases (63.2%) were in stage Ⅳ.All cases had high tumor burden, including renal involvement in 52 cases (49.1%), tumor lysis syndrome in 42 cases (39.6%), and acute kidney injury in 27 cases (25.5%). Totally, one dose of uric acid oxidase was intravenously injected into 41 children (38.7%), 41 children (38.7%) were given 2 dosages, 20 children (18.9%) were given 3 dosages, and 4 children (3.8%) received 4 dosages.Moreover, 9 cases (8.5%) were supplemented with continuous renal replacement therapy.Serum uric acid concentrations before chemotherapy and 12 hours after injecting the first dose of uric acid oxidase were (741.4±312.9) μmol/L and (210.8±148.6) μmol/L, respectively.The difference was statistically significant ( t=5.288, P<0.001). The change of serum uric acid levels over time before and after the application of different doses of uric acid oxidase in children was compared, and no significant difference was found ( F=0.225, P=0.879). No delay in chemotherapy or death arising from tumor lysis syndrome and acute kidney injury occurred within 28 days after chemotherapy. Conclusions:Low-dose and on-demand application of uric acid oxidase can rapidly and effectively reduce serum uric acid levels in children with aggressive mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the early stage of chemotherapy.

Objective: To explore the preliminary application effect of real-time fluorescence recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) in the detection of Candida albicans. Methods: (1) Candida albicans standard strain and negative control bacteria of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Candida glabrata standard strains of respectively 1 mL were collected and their DNA were extracted by yeast/bacterial genomic kit. The specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and real-time fluorescence RPA in detecting Candida albicans were analyzed. (2) One Candida albicans standard strain and one negative control bacteria of Candida glabrata standard strain were collected, resuscitated, and counted. Candida albicans was diluted 10 times to 1×10⁷ to 1×10¹ colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL. The DNA of the two bacteria were extracted as experiment (1). The sensitivity of PCR, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and real-time fluorescence RPA in detecting Candida albicans were analyzed. The number of cycles for amplification curve to reach the threshold in real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and time of appearance of specific amplification curve in real-time fluorescence RPA were recorded and compared with the results in PCR. The detection limit and rate of the above-mentioned 3 methods in detecting Candida albicans were analyzed, and the correlation between concentration of Candida albicans in real-time fluorescence RPA and detection time was analyzed. (3) One standard strain of Candida albicans was collected, and the DNA was extracted as experiment (1) and detected by PCR, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and real-time fluorescence RPA. The total detection time of the above-mentioned 3 methods was recorded, respectively. (4) The DNA of 31 clinical samples of suspected Candida albicans infection and 1 clinical sample of Candida albicans collected from cotton swab were extracted, PCR and real-time fluorescence RPA were carried out, and the positive detection rates of the above-mentioned methods were calculated. The DNA of the clinical samples with positive results in both PCR and real-time fluorescence RPA were extracted by yeast/bacterial genomic kit, chelex-100 boiling method, and repeatedly freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen method, and real-time fluorescence RPA and PCR were carried out. The negative control bacteria was Candida glabrata in real-time fluorescence RPA, while negative control bacteria in PCR were the same as experiment (1). The positive results in PCR and real-time fluorescence RPA were observed and time for amplification curve to reach the fluorescence threshold in real-time fluorescence RPA was recorded, respectively. Data were processed with linear correlation analysis and t test. Results: (1) Three methods showed positive results in detecting standard strain of Candida albicans, and none of the 5 negative control bacteria showed positive results. (2) As the concentration of bacterial solution of Candida albicans decreased, the number of cycles for the amplification curve to reach the threshold increased in real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, the time for appearance of specific amplification curve prolonged in real-time fluorescence RPA, and brightness of the gel strip weakened in PCR. None of the negative control bacteria in the above-mentioned 3 detection methods showed corresponding positive results. The detection limit of Candida albicans in real-time fluorescence RPA, PCR, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was 1×10¹ CFU/mL. There was a significant negative correlation between the concentration of Candida albicans and the detection time in real-time fluorescence RPA (r=-0.95, P<0.01). The positive detection rates of PCR and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR for Candida albicans of 1×10¹ to 1×10⁷ CFU/mL were 100%. The positive detection rate of real-time fluorescence RPA for Candida albicans of 1×10¹ CFU/mL was 78%, and the positive detection rate of real-time fluorescence RPA for Candida albicans of 1×10² to 1×10⁷ CFU/mL was 100%. (3) The total time of PCR, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and real-time fluorescence RPA detection for Candida albicans was 133, 93, and 35 min, respectively. (4) The positive detection rate of real-time fluorescence RPA for 31 clinical samples of suspected Candida albicans infection was 32.26% (10/31), which was slightly lower than 35.48% (11/31) of PCR. Eleven clinical samples showed positive results both in real-time fluorescence RPA and PCR detection. No positive result was observed in the negative control bacteria detected both by real-time fluorescence RPA and PCR. The DNA was extracted by yeast/bacterial genomic extraction kit and chelex-100 boiling method for real-time fluorescence RPA detection. The time for the amplification curve to reach the threshold was (438±13) and (462±12) s, respectively, which was close (t=1.32, P>0.05). The DNA was extracted by repeatedly freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen method for real-time fluorescence RPA, and the time for the amplification curve to reach the threshold in real-time fluorescence RPA was (584±15) s, which was significantly longer than that in the other 2 methods (t=7.55, 6.39, P<0.01). Conclusions Real-time fluorescence RPA has advantages of rapid detection, simple operation, high sensitivity, and good specificity in detecting Candida albicans, which is worthy of clinical application.

Isolation rearing (IR) enhances aggressive behavior, and the central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system has been linked to IR-induced aggression. However, whether the alteration of central serotonin is the cause or consequence of enhanced aggression is still unknown. In the present study, using mice deficient in central serotonin Tph2 and Lmx1b, we examined the association between central serotonin and aggression with or without social isolation. We demonstrated that central serotonergic neurons are critical for the enhanced aggression after IR. 5-HT depletion in wild-type mice increased aggression. On the other hand, application of 5-HT in Lmx1b mice inhibited the enhancement of aggression under social isolation conditions. Dopamine was downregulated in Lmx1b mice. Similar to 5-HT, L-DOPA decreased aggression in Lmx1b mice. Our results link the serotoninergic system directly to aggression and this may have clinical implications for aggression-related human conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To screen for LDLR gene mutations in 9 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). METHODS: All exons of the LDLR gene and flanking intronic sequences were amplified by PCR and subjected to automatic DNA sequencing. For patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations, parental DNA sequencing or T cloning sequencing was carried out to determine the parental origin of the mutant alleles. RESULTS: Direct sequencing of PCR products revealed 8 LDLR variants in 7 patients, which included c.259T>G, c.513delC, c.530C>T, c.682G>T, c.763C>T, c.1187-10G>A, c.1948delG, and c.1730G>A, among which c.1948delG was novel. Four patients have carried heterozygous mutations, two carried homozygous mutations, and one carried compound heterozygous mutations. The patients with biallelic mutations presented with a more severe phenotype compared those carrying heterozygous mutations. CONCLUSION LDLR mutations were identified in 7 out of 9 patients with FH. Among the 8 identified LDLR mutations, c.1948delG was firstly reported. Above findings have expanded the mutation spectrum of LDLR gene.
DNA Mutational Analysis ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II ; genetics ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Receptors, LDL ; genetics

Tacrolimus exhibits varied individual pharmacokinetic and a narrow therapeutic window, resulting in difficulties in personalized medication.In order to improve the safety of tacrolimus in clinical application and its efficiency and rationality in clinical practice, many countries and regions in the world have issued a number of guidelines for tacrolimus application.However, these guidelines generally aim at particular disease and race, and have certain limitation.In this article, the guidelines were explicated and analyzed in detail.Moreover, an individual tacrolimus medication recommendation for Chinese population was summarized based on the latest research of tacrolimus pharmacogenomics and therapeutic drug monitoring so as to provide assistance for the rational use of tacrolimus.

Objective To investigate the effect of cytarabine (Ara-C) on proliferation and apoptosis of human erythroleukemia K562 cell linethrough autophagy pathway and its possible mechanism.Methods The cellular proliferation inhibiting rate after different concentrations of Ara-C acting for 24,48 h was detected by CCK-8;the cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cy tometry(FCM);the chromatin morphological changes in nucleus were observed by Hoechst staining;the cell acidic autophagy vesicles were detected by acridine orange staining;the expression changes of p38 and p-p38 proteins were detected by Western blot.The expressions of autophagy apoptosis related gene and protein were examined by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence.Results The CCK-8 results found that different concentrations of Ara-C could inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells with dose-and time-dependent manners.FCM detecting indicated that Ara-C could increase apoptosis and could arrest the cell cycle at S phase;Hoechest staining showed that K562cells had typical apoptotic morphological changes after Ara-C treating;the Acridine orange staining revealed that Ara-C caused the inclease of the green fluorescene in cells of the Ara-C group,and the cells appeared a great number of acidic autophagy vesicles;RT-PCR results showed that Ara-C up-regulated the expression of autophagy key genes Beclin-1,LC3A and LC3B;Western blot results showed that Ara-C increased the expression of phosphorylated p-p38.Immunofluorescence results showed the expression of LC3B was significantly enhanced.Conclusion Ara-C canactivate p-p38 mediated K562 cells to generate autophagy,then inhibit the cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis.