Objective To screen out the tetrahydrobiopterin def iciency in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia by urinary pterin analysis. Methods Analysis of urinary neopterin (N) and biopterin (B) was done in 96 patients with hyperphenylalaninemia by high performance liquid chromatography. Combined BH4 loading test was performed for patients with abnormal urinary pterin profiles. Results Eleven patients were diagnosed as ha ving BH4 deficiency caused by 6 pyruvoyl tetrahydrobiopterin synthase deficiency. They had a much high N/B ratio(N/B:197?250) and a very low B percentage (1.0?0.8)%. Blood phenylalanine levels were decreased from (720 1 200) ?mol/L to (120 240) ?mol/L after taking BH4 tablets in 4 of 11 patients. Conclusion The incidence of BH4 deficiency among hyperphenylalaninemia is about 12%. Analysis of urinary pterin is feasible and effective in screening of BH4 deficiency.

Objective To investigate the changes of the electrocardiograms (ECG) and the cardiac markers in patients with acute insular infarction,and analyze the relationship between them and the prognosis.Methods A total of 202 patients with acute middle cerebral artery territory infarction (patients group) and 150 control subjects (control group) was selected in this study.Patients included insular infarction (insular infarction group,136 cases),non-insular infarction (non-insular infarction group,66 cases),left-side insular infarction(71 cases) and right-side insular infarction(65 cases).ECG recordings and plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI),creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were measured and compared.Death in 6 months was followed-up.Results There was significant difference in the incidence of abnormal changes of ECG and plasma cTnI,CK-MB increasing between patients group and control group (P ＜0.01).The incidence of abnormal changes of ECG and fatality rate were higher in insular infarction group than those in non-insular infarction group [80.88％(110/136) vs.46.97％(31/66) and 11.76％ (16/136) vs.3.03％ (2/66),P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01].The incidences of ectopy and prolonged QT were higher in right-side insular infarction patients than those in left-side insular infarction patients [44.62％(29/65) vs.11.27％ (8/71),P ＜0.01 ; 55.38％ (36/65) vs.35.21％ (25/71),P ＜ 0.05].The incidences of sinus bradycardia and ST segment deviation were higher in left-side insular infarction patients than those in right-side insular infarction patients [22.54％(16/71) vs.7.69％(5/65),P ＜ 0.05 ;47.89％(34/71) vs.13.85％ (9/65),P ＜ 0.05].The increased rates plasma cTnI and CK-MB level were mainly seen in insular infarction [insular infarction group:47.79％ (65/136),34.56％ (47/136); non-insular infarction group:4.55％ (3/66),1.52％ (1/66),P ＜ 0.01].The incidence of plasma cTnI increasing in right-side insular infarction patients was higher than that in left-side insular infarction patients [67.69％(44/65) vs.29.58％(21/71),P＜ 0.05].There was no significant difference in the incidence of plasma CK-MB increasing between left-side insular infarction patients and right-side insular infarction patients(P ＞ 0.05).The fatality rates in plasma cTnI,CK-MB increasing patients were higher than those in normal plasma cTnI,CK-MB patients [16.18％ (11/68) vs.5.22％ (7/134),P ＜0.05;29.17％ (14/48) vs.2.60％ (4/154),P ＜0.01].Conclusions The effects of acute hemispheric cerebral infarction on heart are mainly associated with destruction of insula.Patients with insular infarction have more abnormal changes of cardiac markers and ECG,which is correlated with poor prognosis.

Tumor tissue is a complex of tumor cells, stromal cells, and extracellular matrix, and they constitute a disordered and aggressive microenvironment, which plays an indispensable role in the occurrence and development of tumors. In breast cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) not only promote the occurrence, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumor, but also participate in events including angiogenesis, lymph angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and reconstruction of the microenvironment, which are known to induce cancer. Therefore, a new strategy for tumor therapy is provided by targeting CAF. This article reviews the research progress of CAF in breast cancer.

Purpose To assess left ventricular diastolic function in the patients with essentialhypertension. Methods 25 normotensives,93 hypertensiives without hypertrophy (NLVH) and 47 withhypertrophy (LVH)(LVMI, left ventricular mass index ＞ 124 g/m2 in males and 110 g/m2 in females)underwent 2DE and Doppler echocardiography. Results The ratio of early to late peak velocity (E/A)was 1.21 ± 0.24 in normotensives and 1.03 ± 0.23 in NLVH patients( P ＜ 0.01 ); reversed pulmonaryvenous flow at atrial systole PA wave was (32.7 ± 7.5 ) vs (38.9 ± 8.7) cm/s (P ＜ 0.01 ) in normotensivesand in NLVH patients respectively. The isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and left atrial dimension (LAD)have significant differences in three groups ( P ＜ 0. 05 - 0. 001 ). EF value was similar betweennormotensives and NLVH patients, but it was lower in LVH patients ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions E/Aratio, PA wawe, Pai, IVRT and LAD are sensitive parameters indicating mild diastolic left ventriculardysfunction. Systolic left ventricular function has no change in NLVH patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of Dihuang Yinzi (DY) on the receptor for advanced glycation end-products(RAGE)/reactive oxygen species(ROS)/apoptosis pathway in SH-SY5Y cells induced by amyloid-beta1-42 (Aβ1-42) oligomer. Methods Firstly, we adopted methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) method to detect the cell vitality in fetal bovine serum (FBS) group, blank serum group, and low-, middle- and high- dose DY-containing serum groups, so as to confirm the optimal concentration and treatment time of DY-containing serum. Secondly, we applied MTT method to detect cell vitality and applied Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining method to observe the apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells treated with 0~20 μmol/L Aβ1-42 for 24 and 48 h, so as toconfirm the optimal concentration and treatment time of Aβ1-42 for establishing Alzheimer's disease (AD) model in vitro. Thirdly, MTT method was used for the detection of cell vitality, and Annexin V/PI staining method was used for detection of the apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells in blank serum group, model group, western medicine control group and low-, middle-and high-dose DY-containing serum groups, and Dihydroethidium (DHE) method was used for the assay of ROS contents, so as to observe the effect of DY on the recovery of injured SH-SY5Y cells induced by Aβ1-42. Finally, we applied Western blot method to detect the expression level of RAGE in SH-SY5Y cells of blank group, model group and DY-containing serum group; after Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with RAGE gene, we adopted DHE staining method and Annexin V/PI staining method to detect ROS content and cell apoptotic rate in all of the above groups, so as to observe the effect of DY on SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis and RAGE expression. Results The cell vitalities were increased in low- and middle-dose DY-containing serum groups at 24 h (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with that in the blank serum group). The conditions for the establishment of AD model in vitro were as follows: the optimal concentration of Aβ1-42 was 5μmol/L, and the treatment time was 24 h. The cell vitalities were significantly enhanced, the cell apoptotic rate and ROS content were significantly lowered in Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells of the medication groups(P <0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with those in the model group) , and the cell vitality was the highest and the cell apoptotic rate was the lowest in the middle-dose DY-containing serum group. The RAGE expression level was decreased in Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells of the middle-dose DY-containing serum group(P < 0.05 compared with that in the model group) . ROS content and cell apoptotic rate were decreased in Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells transfected with RAGE gene in the middle-dose DY-containing serum group (P<0.01). Conclusion DY may play an anti-oxidative role through inhibiting the production of ROS and cell apoptosis, thus to suppress RAGE protein and to achieve the preventive and therapeutic effect for AD.

Objective A phase Ⅱ trial of anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody CT-011,an anti PD-1 humanized monoclonal antibody combined with rituximab therapy in patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL) were conducted.Methods In order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CT-011,the impacts of CT-011 on immune cells both from the peripheral blood (PB) samples and tumor microenvironment were examined.PB and core needle biopsies from involved lymph nodes were collected prior to and on day 14 after the first infusion of CT-011.PB mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analyzed by multiparametric flow cytometry to determine various immune cell subsets.Whole genome gene expression profiling (GEP) was performed on core needle biopsies.Results A significant increase in the absolute number of PB immune cells were observed in day 14 samples compared with baseline including total lymphocyte count (P ＜ 0.01),CD+3 T cells (P =0.01),CD+4 T cells (P ＜ 0.01).Comparison of GEP from core needle biopsies obtained pretreatment and day 14 (n =8 pairs) showed up regulation of several genes associated with T cell activation.Conclusion Administration of CT-011 was associated with increase in the numbers of CD+4 T cells and resulted in activation of T cells in the PB and the tumor microenvironment in FL.These results provide insight into the mechanism of action of CT-011 and offer a predictive biomarker for selection of patients for future clinical trials with this class of agents in FL.

Influenza is one of the respiratory infectious diseases threatening human health, which has been widely concerned by researchers for its high morbidity and mortality. The immune function is compromised in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy, patients receiving hemopoietic stem cell transplantation or solid organ transplantation, patients on maintenance hemodialysis, and patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Compared with immunocompetent patients, immunosuppressed patients have a longer duration of viral shedding and more antiviral resistance during influenza infections. This article reviews the antiviral therapy and related drug resistance in immunosuppressed patients with influenza, and also discusses the management of resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors and post-exposure prophylaxis in this population.

Objective:To analyse the clinical characteristics and antiviral therapy in immunosuppressed hospitalized patients with influenza.Methods:The clinical data of 273 patients with positive influenza A or B virus nucleic acid admitted in Peking University People’s Hospital from November 2015 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 123 were immunosuppressed and 150 were non-immunosuppressed. The clinical characteristics and antiviral therapy in immunosuppressed patients with influenza were analyzed. SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results:Chemotherapy for malignancies was the most common cause of immunosuppression (61.8%, 76/123), followed by haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (24.4%, 30/123). The common symptoms were fever (93.5%, 115/123) and cough (41.5%, 51/123). The proportions of co-infections (22.8%, 28/123) and complications (43.9%, 54/123) in immunosuppressed hospitalized patients were higher than those in non-immunosuppressed patients ( χ2=9.365 and 7.496, both P<0.01). Compared with single drug therapy, combination of antiviral drugs did not shorten the fever time, negative conversion time of virus nucleic acid and the length of hospital stay, and reduce the death ( U/ χ2=312.5, 356.0, 749.5 and 0.185, all P>0.05). Compared to patients without corticosteroids use, the use of corticosteroids did not increase mortality in immunosuppressed patients ( χ2=2.508, P=0.113). Conclusions:Classical symptoms may be absent in immunosuppressed patients with influenza, and early detection of influenza virus is still an important means of early diagnosis. Co-infections and complications are more common in immunosuppressed influenza patients. Immunosuppressed influenza patients did not benefit from the combination of antiviral therapy.

OBJECTIVESTo assess the incidence of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency among patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) in southern Chinese and evaluate clinical outcome and gene mutations in tetrahydrobiopterin deficient patients.

METHODSUrinary neopterin (N) and biopterin (B) was analyzed in 87 patients with hyperphenylalaninemia by high-performance liquid chromatography. Further combined loading tests with phenylalanine (Phe) (100 mg/kg) and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) (7.5 mg/kg) were performed in suspected patients with abnormal urinary pterin profiles. Gene mutation analysis was performed for patients with BH4 deficiency and their parents. BH4 deficient patients were treated with BH4 and neurotransmitter precursors after diagnosis. Blood phenylalanine levels, clinical symptoms and mental development were followed up.

RESULTSEleven patients were diagnosed as having BH4 deficiency caused by 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) deficiency. The incidence of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency among patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) in southern Chinese was 10%. Combined loading tests with phenylalanine and oral BH4 were done in 4 of 11 patients and their phenylalanine levels were decreased to normal 4 - 6h after BH4 administration. Four different mutations (P87S, N52S, D96N and G144R) in the PTPS gene were detected in 5 families. Five PTPS-deficient patients were treated with synthetic BH4, neurotransmitter precursors (L-dopa plus carbidopa, and 5-hydroxytryptophan). They had satisfactory physical and mental development after treatment. One patient with partial PTPS deficiency had normal growth and mental development without treatment.

CONCLUSIONSOur results emphasize that screening for BH4 deficiency should be carried out in all patients with hyperphenylalaninemia in order to minimize the misdiagnosis. Patients with BH4 deficiency should be treated early with BH4 and a combination of neurotransmitter precursors.

Biopterin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; deficiency ; urine ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Mutation, Missense ; Neopterin ; urine ; Phenylketonurias ; blood ; enzymology ; genetics ; Phosphorus-Oxygen Lyases ; genetics ; metabolism

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an inheritable disorder that presents with bone marrow failure, developmental anomalies, and an increased susceptibility to cancer. The etiology of this condition stems from a genetic mutation that disrupts the proper repair of interstrand DNA cross-links (ICLs). The resultant dysregulation of the DNA damage response mechanism can induce genomic instability, thereby elevating the mutation rates and the likelihood of developing cancer. The FA pathway assumes a pivotal role in safeguarding genome stability through its involvement in the repair of DNA cross-links and the maintenance of overall genomic integrity. A mutation in the germ line of any of the genes responsible for encoding the FA protein results in the development of FA. The prevalence of aberrant FA gene expression in somatic cancer, coupled with the identification of a connection between FA pathway activation and resistance to chemotherapy, has solidified the correlation between the FA pathway and cancer. Consequently, targeted therapies that exploit FA pathway gene abnormalities are being progressively developed and implemented. This review critically examines the involvement of the FA protein in the repair of ICLs, the regulation of the FA signaling network, and its implications in cancer pathogenesis and prognosis. Additionally, it explores the potential utility of small-molecule inhibitors that target the FA pathway.