Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, especially cancers, making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline, which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction models, cascade molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays. Among the identified compounds, Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 5.41 nM) than that of tubastatin A (TubA) (IC₅₀ = 15.11 nM), along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile (selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1), which was further verified by the Western blot analysis. Additionally, Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, exerting desirable antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ = 2.59 μM). Furthermore, based on long-term MD simulation trajectory, the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis, thereby elucidating its binding mechanism. Moreover, the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation, thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of ten Chinese pedigrees affected with 7q11.23 duplication syndrome.Methods:From December 2017 to January 2022, ten pedigrees diagnosed with 7q11.23 duplication syndrome at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were enrolled as the study subjects. Clinical data of all subjects were collected, and some had subjected to copy number variation sequencing or single nucleotide polymorphism array to analyze the pattern of inheritance.Results:The probands had included six fetuses and four adolescents. Four of the six prenatal cases showed abnormal ultrasound indicators, including three with soft indicators and one with abnomal feta structural development. The clinical phenotype of the four adolescent cases had included mental retardation, delayed language development, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The size of the copy number variations had ranged from 1.31 to 1.42 Mb, involving the classic region of 7q11.23 duplication syndrome. Of these, five cases had undergone parental origin testing, three cases were de novo, and two were hereditary. Conclusion:Individuals with 7q11.23 duplication syndrome may show substantial clinical phenotypic heterogeneity, hence the affected families should be provided with pre-pregnancy consultation and reproductive guidance.

Uniparental disomy (UPD)-related imprinting disorders are a group of congenital disorders which can lead to severe birth defects. Their molecular etiology is the occurrence of UPD in the genomic imprinting regions, which may cause disturbed expression of parent-of-origin imprinted genes. With the widespread applications of genetic testing techniques, the prenatal diagnosis of UPD-related imprinted diseases has gradually become clinical routines. However, due to the complicated pathogenesis of such disorders, currently there is still a lack of standards and norms for the understanding, diagnosis, management and genetic counseling. By referring to the relevant guidelines and consensus, the latest progress of research, and opinions from experts in the relevant fields, the writing group has formulated a consensus over the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling for UPD-related imprinting disorders, with an aim to provide a more accurate and rational evaluation in prenatal clinics.

Objective:To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) through Nanopore long-read sequencing.Methods:A FXS pedigree who had undergone genetic counseling at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in April 2023 was selected as the study subject. Nanopore long-read sequencing, triplet-repeat primed PCR (TP-PCR), methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) and trinucleotide polymorphism genotyping of androgen receptor (AR) gene were used to analyze the FMR1 CGG repeat number, methylation, and X chromosome inactivation of the pedigree members. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No. KS-2018-KY-36). Results:Full mutation and CpG island hypermethylation were detected in the proband. The elder sister of the proband had full mutation of the FMR1 gene on one X chromosome and hypermethylation of CpG island, while the FMR1 gene on the other X chromosome was normal. FMR1 premutation was detected in the proband′s mother. Conclusion:Nanopore long-read sequencing can simultaneously detect the dynamic mutation and methylation status of the FMR1 gene on the two X chromosomes of females, which has important value for the diagnosis of FXS in different genders.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of 3D printing patient-matched artificial vertebral body in clinical research and application.Methods:A total of 12 patients with spinal tumors were enrolled 7 males (58.33%) and 5 females (41.67%), aged from 18 to 65 years old in The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force military Medical University (hereinafter referred to as Xijing Hospital) and Peking University people's Hospital from September 2021 to July 2022. The spinal vertebra defect were restored by using 3D printing patient-matched artificial vertebral body after tumor resection. All patients who accepted TES and 3D printing patient-matched artificial vertebral body implantation were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The bone interface fusion was evaluated by the imaging fusion criteria of Brantigan and Steffee at 3 and 6 months after operation, the curative effect was evaluated by comparing Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score at 3 and 6 months after operation, visual analogue scale (VAS) 3 months after operation and intervertebral height at 3 and 6 months after operation with those before operation, and the safety was evaluated by adverse event recording.Results:All 12 patients completed the operation successfully, and the operation sites were thoracic vertebrae in 6 cases (50%), thoracolumbar in 3 cases (25%) and lumbar vertebrae in 3 cases (25%). All patients were followed up. The mean follow-up time was 23.92±3.23 months (range, 19-29 months). No tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed during this period. All patients were followed up at 15 days, 3 months and 6 months after operation. During the 6-month follow-up, X ray results showed that interface of bone and the vertebral body were fused in all of the 12 patients, and the effective rate of fusion was 100%. The 95% confidence interval is calculated to be (75.6%-100%). Six months after operation, the improvement rate of JOA score was excellent in 10 cases, good in 1 case, poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 91.66%. The preoperative VAS score was 4.08 ±2.47, and during the 3-month follow-up, the VAS score was improved to 1.83 ±1.59. Compared with the preoperative VAS score, the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.635, P=0.023). The intervertebral height before operation, 15 days after operation, 3 months after operation and 6 months after operation were 32.75 (25.94, 68.20), 41.09 (30.55, 70.20), 40.70 (30.23, 67.83) and 40.74 (30.23, 67.08), respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference (χ 2=0.768, P=0.857). No implant-related adverse events occurred after operation. Conclusion:The 3D printing patient-matched artificial vertebral body used in this study has satisfactory short-term efficacy and safety in the reconstruction of spinal stability after spinal tumor resection.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangzhi pills on the improvement of insulin resistance （IR） in the liver with type 2 diabetes （T2DM） by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway based on differential genes and its possible molecular mechanism. MethodT2DM rat models were prepared by high fat （HFD） diet combined with streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection. The experiment was divided into blank group， model group， metformin hydrochloride group （0.18 g·kg^-1）， Tangzhi pills high （1.08 g·kg^-1）， medium （0.54 g·kg^-1） and low （0.27 g·kg^-1） dose groups. Rat serum， liver， and pancreatic tissue were collected， and the pathological tissue of the liver and pancreas was observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The fasting blood glucose level （FBG） was detected， and oral glucose tolerance （OGTT） tests were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect fasting serum insulin （FINS） and glycated hemoglobin （GHb） levels in rats. IR homeostasis model index （HOMA-IR）， β cellular homeostasis index （HOMA-β）， and insulin sensitivity index （ISI） were calculated. Biochemical methods were used to determine the levels of triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL-C） in rat serum. Transcriptomics obtained differentially expressed mRNA from liver tissue and enriched differentially expressed pathways. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of cyclic adenylate responsive element binding protein 3-like protein 2 antibody （CREB3l2）， B-lymphocyte tumor 2 （Bcl-2）， Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）， cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A （CDNK1A）， and DNA damage induced transcription factor 4-like protein （DDIT4） in liver tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt）， glucose transporter 4 （GLUT4）， insulin receptor （INSR）， and insulin receptor substrate 2 （IRS2）. ResultThe pharmacodynamic experiment results showed that compared with model group， Tangzhi pills groups repaired liver and pancreatic tissue to varying degrees， reduced blood sugar （P<0.01）， and promoted a decrease in serum FINS， GHb， and HOMA-IR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， HOMA-β and ISI increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the levels of HDL-C increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The transcriptomics experimental results confirmed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was significantly expressed in both the blank group and model group， as well as in the high-dose Tangzhi pills group and model group. CDNK1A， DDIT4， CREB3l2， Bcl-2， and TLR2 were significantly differentially expressed mRNA during TG intervention in T2DM. Compared with the model group， the protein expression of p-PI3K， p-Akt， GLUT4， INSR， and IRS2 increased in all Tangzhi pills groups （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of CREB3l2， Bcl-2， and TLR2 increased （P<0.01）， while that of CDNK1A and DDIT4 decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTangzhi pills may regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway based on the differential mRNA expression of CREB3l2， Bcl-2， TLR2， CDNK1A， and DDIT4， thereby improving IR in the liver with T2DM.

Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is one of the most serious microangiopathies in diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease.Ferroptosis,as a mode of programmed cell death,is mainly manifested by excessive accumulation of intracellular lipid peroxides and iron.Ferroptosis is involved in a series of pathological processes such as damage to DN renal podocytes,mesangial cells,and renal tubular epithelial cells.Chinese materia medica has the characteristics of significant therapeutic effects and minimal adverse reactions in the treatment of diseases,and has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of DN.This article summarized the key factors regulating ferroptosis in DN,as well as the active components and TCM formulas targeting the inhibition of ferroptosis in the prevention and treatment of DN,providing reference for the development of DN targeted drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) for revealing the genetic etiology of fetuses with isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD). METHODS: From December 2017 to December 2020, 69 fetuses with isolated VSD were identified at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Meanwhile, 839 similar prenatal cases were selected from public databases including Wanfang data, Wanfang Medicine, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) by using keywords such as "Ventricular septal defect", "Copy number variation", and "Prenatal". A total of 908 fetuses with isolated VSD were analyzed. CNV-seq was carried out for 69 fetuses. RESULTS: Among the 908 fetuses, 33 (3.63%) were found to harbor pathogenic CNVs, which included 11 chromosomal aneuploidies (1.21%) and 22 pathogenic CNVs (2.42%). The pathogenic CNVs have involved 12 genetic syndromes, with those known to involve the heart development including 5 cases of 22q11.21 deletion syndrome, 2 cases of 4q terminal deletion syndrome, and 1 case of 9q subtelomere deletion syndrome. The outcome of pregnancies for 15 fetuses with pathogenic CNVs was known, of which 12 were terminated, and 3 had spontaneous closure of the ventricular septum after birth, but 1 of them had other abnormalities. CONCLUSION Fetuses with isolated VSD have a relatively high risk for chromosomal abnormalities, for which CNV-seq should be recommended.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular/genetics* ; 22q11 Deletion Syndrome ; Fetus

OBJECTIVE: To carry out genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis for a woman featuring moderate intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: The patient had presented at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University on April 28, 2021. With informed consent, peripheral blood and amniotic fluid samples were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) were detected with CNV-seq, and single gene variants were detected by whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing, and CNV-seq and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were used to detect fetal CNVs. RESULTS: The 23-year-old woman had moderate ID, sideway walking, and unstable holding. Ultrasonography at 18⁺³ weeks' gestation had revealed no fetal abnormality. No pathogenic CNV was detected in the woman by CNV-Seq, while WES revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous c.1675C>T (p.Arg559*) variant of the DLG4 gene, which was verified by Sanger sequencing. Based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_supporting). Sanger sequencing has confirmed that the fetus has inherited this variant, and CNV-Seq also revealed that that fetus has harbored a 0.1 Mb heterozygous deletion at Xp21.1, which has encompassed the DMD gene, and the result was verified by MLPA. CONCLUSION The heterozygous c.1675C>T variant of the DLG4 gene probably underlay the mental retardation in this woman, and her fetus was found to harbor the same variant in addition with deletion of the DMD gene, which may predispose to ID type 62.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult ; Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Fetus ; Genetic Testing ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Pregnant Women

Objective:To investigate the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of a patient with a heterozygous 6p25.3 deletion and partial trisomy 15q.Methods:A patient who had presented at the Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University on May 14, 2021 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected, and G-banded chromosomal karyotyping and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) were carried out.Results:The patient′s main clinical features included complete uterine septum, vaginal septum, atrophy of left eyeball, abnormal fingers and toes, and mental retardation. The karyotype of the patient was 46, XX, der(6)t(6; 15)(p25.3; q26.1). CNV-seq result has indicated a 1.20 Mb heterozygous deletion in the 6p25.3 region and a 10.20 Mb duplication in the 15q26.1q26.3 region. The deletion segment has included the FOXQ1 gene, which may be related with the abnormal development of the left eye. The duplication segment has a 96.16% overlap with the region associated with 15q26 overgrowth syndrome (including the IGF1R gene), which may be related to the patient′ s abnormal development of the Müllerian duct, abnormal fingers and toes, and mental developmental delay. Conclusion:The heterozygous deletion of the 6p25.3 region and duplication of the 15q26.1q26.3 region probably underlay the abnormal clinical phenotype in this patient.