Deactivation of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is important for the metabolic switching of cancer cell from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Studies examining PDC activity regulation have mainly focused on the phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), leaving other post-translational modifications largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the acetylation of Lys 488 of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex component X (PDHX) commonly occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma, disrupting PDC assembly and contributing to lactate-driven epigenetic control of gene expression. PDHX, an E3-binding protein in the PDC, is acetylated by the p300 at Lys 488, impeding the interaction between PDHX and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), thereby disrupting PDC assembly to inhibit its activation. PDC disruption results in the conversion of most glucose to lactate, contributing to the aerobic glycolysis and H3K56 lactylation-mediated gene expression, facilitating tumor progression. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role of PDHX acetylation in regulating PDC assembly and activity, linking PDHX Lys 488 acetylation and histone lactylation during hepatocellular carcinoma progression and providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for further development.
Humans ; Acetylation ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Histones/metabolism* ; Disease Progression

Lactic acid (LA) accumulation in tumor microenvironments (TME) has been implicated in immune suppression and tumor progress. Diverse roles of LA have been elucidated, including microenvironmental pH regulation, signal transduction, post-translational modification, and metabolic remodeling. This review summarizes LA functions within TME, focusing on the effects on tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal cells. Reducing LA levels is a potential strategy to attack cancer, which inevitably affects the physiological functions of normal tissues. Alternatively, transporting LA into the mitochondria as an energy source for immune cells is intriguing. We underscore the significance of LA in both tumor biology and immunology, proposing the burning of LA as a potential therapeutic approach to enhance antitumor immune responses.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Lactic Acid/immunology* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction

Objective:To analyze the positioning error and the overall setup errors (OSEs) of patients undergoing gamma knife pain-free face mask fractionated treatment for head tumors based on kV orthogonal image guidance.Methods:A total of 58 patients who received image-guided fractionated gamma knife treatment for head tumors with a pain-free face mask at the Gamma Knife Treatment Center of Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital from July 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024 were included in the study. A kV-class orthogonal X-ray IGPS image-guided positioning system was used to collect positioning errors in three translational directions: left-right (X), anterior-posterior (Y), and head-foot (Z), as well as in three rotational directions: left-right (P), anterior-posterior (R), and head-foot ( Y) before correction. After online correction and combined with manual positioning verification, the corrected positioning errors were recalculated. The OSEs in translational and rotational directions were calculated before and after correction. The positioning errors in all six directions (X, Y, Z, P, R, Y) before and after correction were plotted. And the OSE scatter plots in translational and rotational directions were created accordingly. Errors in the six directions and OSEs in translational and rotational directions were compared. The OSEs in translational and rotational directions were analyzed across different age groups and genders. Results:The pre-correction positioning errors in the X, Y, Z, P, R, Y directions for patients were (0.45±1.54) mm, -0.96 (-1.70, -0.28) mm, 1.67 (-0.15, 3.07) mm, (0.70±1.60) °, 0.65 (0.30, 1.19) °, (0.59±0.87) °, and the post-correction positioning errors were (-0.02±0.18) mm, 0.15 (0.10, 0.21) mm, 0.06 (-0.04, 0.16) mm, (0.20±0.79) °, 0.42 (0.19, 0.78) °, (0.20±0.63) °. There were statistically significant differences between before and after correction ( t=2.30, P=0.025; Z=-5.43, P<0.001; Z=-4.10, P<0.001; t=2.56, P=0.013; Z=-3.21, P=0.001; t=3.21, P=0.002). The OSEs in translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational (P, R, Y) directions before correction were 3.07 (1.93, 4.35) mm, 1.90 (1.28, 2.66) °, and the OSEs after correction were 0.27 (0.21, 0.33) mm, 1.08 (0.70, 1.54) °, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-6.60, P<0.001; Z=-5.52, P<0.001). For patients aged 18-44 years, the OSEs in translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational (P, R, Y) directions before and after correction were 3.65 (1.62, 3.95), 0.21 (0.21, 0.31) mm, 3.25 (2.24, 3.96) °, 0.92 (0.59, 1.45) °; for patients aged 45-59 years, the OSEs were 3.57 (2.17, 5.22), 0.29 (0.22, 0.35) mm, 1.89 (1.30, 2.30) °, 1.08 (0.62, 1.51) °; for patients aged 60-74 years, the OSEs were 2.92 (1.74, 4.06), 0.24 (0.19, 0.35) mm, 2.16 (1.09, 2.95) °, 0.98 (0.78, 1.75) °; for patients aged 75-89 years, the OSEs were 3.24 (2.12, 4.37), 0.29 (0.22, 0.47) mm, 1.73 (1.01, 1.83) °, 0.60 (0.47, 1.51) °. There were no statistically significant differences in OSEs of translational and rotational directions before and after correction among the four age groups ( H=1.23, P=0.747; H=1.74, P=0.627; H=7.45, P=0.059; H=2.80, P=0.424). For male patients, the OSEs before and after correction in translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational (P, R, Y) directions were (3.19±1.59), 0.27 (0.27, 0.33) mm, 1.89 (1.27, 2.75) °, (0.84±0.59) °; for female patients, the OSEs were (3.22±1.99), 0.26 (0.25, 0.35) mm, 1.90 (1.34, 2.41) °, (1.04±0.46) °. There were no statistically significant differences in OSEs of translational and rotational directions before and after correction between genders ( t=-0.07, P=0.949; Z=-0.48, P=0.632; Z=-0.02, P=0.161; t=-2.80, P=0.424) . Conclusions:The image-guided system, which is based on the kV orthogonal X-ray stereoscopic imaging, can significantly reduce the positioning errors between fractions of pain-free face mask gamma knife treatment for head tumor patients and improve the positioning accuracy of the gamma knife through the dual verification process of "automatic correction and manual review".

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic etiology of six adult patients with Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and analyze the structure of the identified variants, for providing reference for the diagnosis of DCM. METHODS: Six adult patients with DCM (patients 1-6) admitted to the Department of Cardiology of Zhumadian Central Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were recruited. Clinical data of the patients were retrospectively collected. And 5 mL of peripheral blood was collected from each patient. Pathogenic variants of the patients were detected by whole exome sequencing (WES), and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. The possible functional significance of the identified missense variants was evaluated using software including SIFT, PolyPhen-2 and Mutation Taster. Specific regions of the MYBPC protein encoded by the MYBPC3 gene from different species were aligned using Mutation Taster. The wild-type and mutant MYBPC proteins were constructed using homologous modeling software MODELLER v10.4 and three-dimensional structures were visualized using PyMOL software. The molecular interaction between MYBPC-C5 domain and myosin with or without the mutation was further analyzed using ZDOCK module in Discovery Studio 2019 software. Pathogenicity ratings for the detected variant sites were performed in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence variants by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) (hereafter referred to as the ACMG Guidelines). This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhumadian Central Hospital (Approval No. 2022092007). RESULTS: The six DCM patients had typical symptoms of heart failure, and echocardiography showed whole-heart dilation and decreased ventricular wall motion, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) was 59-74 mm, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 35%-43%, and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) was 17%-28%. Variations of the DCM related genes, including a c.98473A>T (p.Lys32825*) variation of the TTN gene and a c.1976T>C (p.Ile659Thr) variation of the MYBPC3 gene, were identified in two patients. Multiple software predicted that both mutations were deleterious. MYBPC3-Ile659Thr mutation affected the highly conserved residue within the C5 domain of MYBPC. Three-dimensional structural analysis of homologous modeling revealed the alterations in amino acid properties and interactions with surrounding amino acids caused by the MYBPC3-Ile659Thr mutation. Further molecular docking analysis showed that the Ile659Thr mutation altered both the hydrogen bond and salt-bridge interactions between the MYBPC-C5 domain and the ligand myosin. CONCLUSION Two mutations associated with DCM were identified in this study. The abnormal conformation of the mutant protein further affected its interaction with the ligand myosin, resulting in the phenotype of DCM.
Humans ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics* ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Carrier Proteins/chemistry* ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Exome Sequencing ; Mutation, Missense ; Retrospective Studies ; Myosin Binding Protein C

Objective To investigate the effect of MALAT1 expressions on cell proliferation and apoptosis in astrocytes by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK1,2)pathway.Methods The MALAT1 gene was knocked down and over-expressed in C8-D1A cells by lentiviral and plasmid vectors,respectively.The expressions of MALAT1,cell proliferation-related markers(Ki67,MCM2,PCNA)and apoptosis-related proteins(Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2)were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used for cell proliferation and apoptosis in C8-D1A cells.Immunofluorescence was adopted to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Ki67.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2,ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK.Results Compared with the control group,over-expressed MALAT1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in C8-D1A cells while the knockdown of MALAT1 significantly enhanced cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic ability in C8-D1A cells.The proportion of C8-D1A cells in G0/G1-phase and G2/M-phase was higher than in the control group as evidenced by flow cytometry,but was lower in S-phase.Meanwhile,data showed that Caspase-3 was increased while p-ERK1/2 was decreased in terms of protein levels.The mRNA expressions of Ki67 and PCNA were decreased.After knockdown of MALAT1,the proportion of C8-D1A cells in S-phase was higher,but was lower in G2/M-phase.The protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax decreased while those of p-ERK1/2 and p-p38MAPK increased.The mRNA expressions of Ki67,MCM2 and PCNA were increased.The differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion MALAT1 promotes astrocyte apoptosis and inhibits proliferation by regulating the MAPK/ERK1,2 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of pathogens in primary infectious diseases of the spine (IDS) and to reveal its pathogen spectrum.Methods:This is a retrospective multi-center case series study. Clinical data of 380 patients with primary IDS who were treated at four medical centers in China from December 2019 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 82 cases were from the Department of Spine Surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 129 cases were from the Orthopedics Section Ⅱ (Bone Infection), Public Health Clinical Center Affiliated to Shandong University, 112 cases were from the Department of Spine Surgery, Fuzhou Second General Hospital, and 57 cases were from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. There were 238 males and 242 females, with an age of (61.4±13.1) years (range: 10 to 91 years). Specimens from the site of spinal infection were obtained for pathogen culture, pathological examination, and mNGS detection preoperatively or intraoperatively in all patients. The number, types, and positive rates of pathogens detected by the two methods were analyzed and compared using the Chi-square test.Results:Among the 380 patients, 320 had confirmed pathogenic bacteria, with the highest proportion being pyogenic bacterial infections, accounting for 76.9% (246/320). The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus, accounting for 22.8% (73/320). Brucella accounted for 13.8% (44/320); Mycobacterium tuberculosis accounted for 6.3% (20/320). Fungal infections accounted for 3.4% (11/320), mainly Aspergillus and Candida. In addition, Mycoplasma was detected in 3 cases (0.9%) and Benacox body in 4 cases (1.2%). The pathogen spectrum constructed by mNGS covered 46 types of pathogens, higher than the 22 types detected by traditional methods. The positive rate of mNGS was 80.8% (308/381), significantly higher than the 27.9% (106/381) of traditional methods ( χ2=182.53, P<0.01). Conclusions:mNGS improves the positive rate of pathogen diagnosis in IDS, detecting a broader spectrum of pathogens, and serves as a valuable complement to traditional diagnostic methods. Combining both methods in the diagnosis of IDS can maximize detection rates, providing robust evidence for precise anti-infective treatment.

With the aging of the population, the number of patients with degenerative scoliosis continues to increase. Surgical treatment of degenerative scoliosis is challenging. Patients with degenerative scoliosis often present with multiple comorbidities, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia. Traditional open surgeries are associated with high risks and multiple complications, whereas minimally invasive surgeries have increasingly gained acceptance among patients and physicians. Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) offers advantages such as minimal trauma, less blood loss, rapid postoperative recovery, reduced risk of neural complications, and larger interbody cages with more grafting capacity. Mini-open lateral-anterior lumbar interbody fusion is a new standardized LLIF technique with smaller incisions, which does not require splitting the psoas muscle, thereby reducing the risk of muscle and nerve injuries, and involves vertical implantation of the fusion device. Posterior instrumentation via the Wiltse approach is characterized by shorter operational times, minimal radiation exposure, reduced muscular damage, increased graft fusion capabilities, and the ability to perform de-rotation maneuvers. Therefore, the Wiltse approach is particularly suitable for patients with degenerative scoliosis. Staged surgery significantly reduces the duration of each surgery and anesthesia, lowering surgical risks and enhancing postoperative recovery. Staged mini-open lateral-anterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterior instrumentation via the Wiltse approach maximizes the reduction of surgical trauma, significantly decreases surgical complications, and offers marked clinical outcomes, providing an alternative minimally invasive treatment for degenerative scoliosis.

Objective:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 7 elemental impurities(V,Co,Ni,As,Cd,Hg Pb)in amlodipine besylate tablets based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Methods:After the samples were treated by microwave digestion,the solution was analyzed by ICP-MS.Ge,In,Bi were selected as the internal standards.The established method was validated.The contents of 7 elemental impurities in amlodipine besylate tablets from 54 enterprises were determined by this method.Results:The content of(V,Co,Ni,As,Cd,Hg,Pb had good linear relationship in the ranges of 1-100,1-100,1-100,1-100,1-100,0.5-4,1-100 ng·mL-1,respectively.The correlation coefficients(r)all above 0.999 4.The detec-tion limits and quantification limits were in the range of 0.000 4-0.018 4 ng·mL-1 and 0.001 4-0.061 2 ng·mL-1.The RSD of precision was less then 1.8％.The RSD of repeatability was less then 6.1％.The average re-coveries(n=9)were between 85.4％-106.5％,while their RSD was less then 4.7％.The content of 7 elemental impurities in 54 sample batches were in accordance with the limit value.Conclusion:The method is simple,rapid,accurate,reliable and highly sensitive,and can be used for the quality control of elemental impurities in amlodipine besylate tablets.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of microRNA-146a(miR-146a)and soluble pro-grammed death ligand 2(sPD-L2)in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)and to ana-lyze their relationship with disease severity and their predictive value for prognosis.Methods A total of 89 MPP patients diagnosed and treated in Linfen People's Hospital from February 2019 to June 2021 were includ-ed,and they were divided into severe group(50 cases)and mild group(39 cases)based on disease severity.Based on the prognosis of MMP patients,they were categorized into good prognosis group(70 cases)and poor prognosis group(19 cases).Moreover,50 healthy children who underwent physical examination at the same time were setected as the control group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to assess the serum miR-146a levels in each group,while serum sPD-L2 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay.Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum miR-146a and sPD-L2 levels in children with MPP.Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify fac-tors influencing poor prognosis in children with MPP.The predictive efficacy of serum miR-146a and sPD-L2 for predicting the poor prognosis in children with MPP was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The serum miR-146a levels decreased sequentially from the control group to the mild group and the severe group(P<0.05),while the sPD-L2 levels increased sequentially(P<0.05).Serum miR-146a was negatively correlated with sPD-L2 levels in children with MPP(r=-0.735,P<0.001).Duration of fe-ver,proportion of pleural effusion,C-reactive protein(CRP)levels,proportion of severe MPP patients and ser-um sPD-L2 levels in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group,while ser-um miR-146a level was lower than that in the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Severe MMP and serum sPD-L2 were identified as independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with MPP(P<0.05),whereas miR-146a was found to be a protective factor(P<0.05).The area under the curve of the combination of ser-um miR-146a and sPD-L2 levels in predicting the poor prognosis in children with MPP was 0.915(95%CI:0.861-0.949),which was higher than 0.844 of miR-146a(95%CI:0.801-0.886)and 0.859 of sPD-L2(95%CI:0.814-0.897)alone(Z=4.780,4.023,P<0.05).Conclusion In children with MPP,serum miR-146a level decreases,while sPD-L2 level increases,and the two are associated with the disease severity of MPP.The combination of these two demonstrates high predictive value for the poor prognosis in MPP.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in male genitourinary system,and it is one of the main causes of male death in Europe and America.The incidence of prostate cancer in our coun-try is increasing,the key of treatment of prostate cancer is early diagnosis and early treatment.Endoglin also known as endothelial glycoprotein,is the most reliable marker of endothelial cell proliferation,which is over-expressed in neovascularization.Soluble Endoglin was found in the serum of tumor patients,which can be used as an auxiliary diagnosis.Inhibition of Endoglin receptor can inhibit the formation of tumor blood vessels,which provides a basis for targeted therapy.Microvessel density marked by Endoglin is of great significance in the clinical and pathological grading of solid tumors and can be used to evaluate the prognosis.This article re-views the role of Endoglin in the pathogenesis,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of prostate cancer.