Gene regulation relies on the precise binding of transcription factors (TFs) at regulatory elements, but simultaneously detecting hundreds of TFs on chromatin is challenging. We developed cFOOT-seq, a cytosine deaminase-based TF footprinting assay, for high-resolution, quantitative genome-wide assessment of TF binding in both open and closed chromatin regions, even with small cell numbers. By utilizing the dsDNA deaminase SsdAtox, cFOOT-seq converts accessible cytosines to uracil while preserving genomic integrity, making it compatible with techniques like ATAC-seq for sensitive and cost-effective detection of TF occupancy at the single-molecule and single-cell level. Our approach enables the delineation of TF footprints, quantification of occupancy, and examination of chromatin influences on TF binding. Notably, cFOOT-seq, combined with FootTrack analysis, enables de novo prediction of TF binding sites and tracking of TF occupancy dynamics. We demonstrate its application in capturing cell type-specific TFs, analyzing TF dynamics during reprogramming, and revealing TF dependencies on chromatin remodelers. Overall, cFOOT-seq represents a robust approach for investigating the genome-wide dynamics of TF occupancy and elucidating the cis-regulatory architecture underlying gene regulation.
Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Humans ; Chromatin/genetics* ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Mice ; DNA Footprinting/methods*

Objective: To explore the mediating role of psychological and physical aggression in the association between maternal emotional symptoms with emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children, so as to provide references for effective intervention of risk factors related to childrens emotional and behavioral problems. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted to select 12 kindergarten children and their mothers in Wuhu City, Anhui Province by using stratified clustering sampling. The baseline survey was carried out in June 2021, followed up every six months, and a total of 3 followups were administered. Totally 853 valid questionnaires of junior class children were included by the survey data from baseline, second and thirl followups. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTSPC) and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to measure maternal emotional symptoms, psychological and physical aggression, and childrens emotional and behavioral problems, respectively. Results: The physical aggression of mothers towards children in boys was higher than in girls (t=3.53, P<0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that maternal depressive symptoms were positively correlated with psychological aggression, physical aggression and childrens SDQ scores (r=0.20, 0.21, 0.18, P<0.01), maternal anxiety symptoms were positively correlated with psychological aggression, physical aggression and childrens SDQ scores (r=0.24, 0.22, 0.10, P<0.01), respectively; maternal stress symptoms were positively correlated with psychological aggression, physical aggression. The SDQ scores were positively correlated (r=0.26, 0.25, 0.18, P<0.01), and the scores of maternal psychological aggression and physical aggression were positively correlated with the SDQ scores of children (r=0.12, 0.16, P<0.01). The mediating analysis showed that after controlling for related confounding factors, psychological aggression played a partial mediating effect in the association between maternal depressive symptoms and childrens emotional and behavioral problems, and the mediating effect ratio was 8.05%. Physical aggression played a partial mediating effect in the association between maternal depression, anxiety and stress symptoms and childrens emotional and behavioral problems, which were 15.94%, 11.73% and 12.54% (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusions Psychological and physical aggression play mediating roles in the association between maternal emotional symptoms and childrens emotional and behavioral problems, and actively improving maternal emotional symptoms and their childrens discipline methods can help reduce the occurrence of emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children.

Several groundbreaking clinical trials with the potential to transform the management paradigm of both locally advanced and persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancers have been presented in 2023. This review describes the reported data from INTERLACE and KEYNOTE-A18 in the locally advanced setting, as well as BEATcc, innovaTV 301 and DESTINY-PanTumor02 for advanced disease. The practice implications of their positive results are interpreted in the context of global health considerations, and updated treatment algorithms are proposed. Furthermore, emerging trends in drug development for cervical cancer are discussed. As the routine use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for curative and palliative indications increases in the foreseeable future, patients whose cervical cancers which persist, relapse or progress after prior ICI exposure will represent an area of unmet clinical need and form the key target population for next-generation trials. Future research will help shape oncologists’ approaches in the optimal selection, sequencing and re-treatment or rechallenge of immuno-oncology agents and/or antibody-drug conjugates in women with cervical cancer.

Several groundbreaking clinical trials with the potential to transform the management paradigm of both locally advanced and persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancers have been presented in 2023. This review describes the reported data from INTERLACE and KEYNOTE-A18 in the locally advanced setting, as well as BEATcc, innovaTV 301 and DESTINY-PanTumor02 for advanced disease. The practice implications of their positive results are interpreted in the context of global health considerations, and updated treatment algorithms are proposed. Furthermore, emerging trends in drug development for cervical cancer are discussed. As the routine use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for curative and palliative indications increases in the foreseeable future, patients whose cervical cancers which persist, relapse or progress after prior ICI exposure will represent an area of unmet clinical need and form the key target population for next-generation trials. Future research will help shape oncologists’ approaches in the optimal selection, sequencing and re-treatment or rechallenge of immuno-oncology agents and/or antibody-drug conjugates in women with cervical cancer.

Several groundbreaking clinical trials with the potential to transform the management paradigm of both locally advanced and persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancers have been presented in 2023. This review describes the reported data from INTERLACE and KEYNOTE-A18 in the locally advanced setting, as well as BEATcc, innovaTV 301 and DESTINY-PanTumor02 for advanced disease. The practice implications of their positive results are interpreted in the context of global health considerations, and updated treatment algorithms are proposed. Furthermore, emerging trends in drug development for cervical cancer are discussed. As the routine use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for curative and palliative indications increases in the foreseeable future, patients whose cervical cancers which persist, relapse or progress after prior ICI exposure will represent an area of unmet clinical need and form the key target population for next-generation trials. Future research will help shape oncologists’ approaches in the optimal selection, sequencing and re-treatment or rechallenge of immuno-oncology agents and/or antibody-drug conjugates in women with cervical cancer.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (LRHCCA).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was constructed. The clinicopathological data of 211 patients who under LRHCCA in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2014 to June 2022 were collected. There were 135 males and 76 females, aged (63±8)years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and draw survival curve. Results:(1) Surgical situations. All 211 patients underwent LRHCCA successfully, with the operation time as 350 (300,390)minutes, volume of intraoperative blood loss as 400(200,800)mL, and intraoperative red blood cell transfusion as 2.0(range, 0-15.0)U, respectively. As partial portal vein invasion, 10 of 211 patients underwent portal vein resection and reconstruction. Results of intraoperative histopathology examination showed negative margin of portal vein. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, intraopera-tive red blood cell transfusion of the 10 patients was (400±53)minutes, 1 200(range, 800-3 000)mL, 5.5(range, 4.0-15.0)U, respectively. (2) Postoperative situations. Of the 211 patients, there were 63 cases of the Bismuth type Ⅰ, 65 cases of the Bismuth type Ⅱ, 22 cases of the Bismuth type Ⅲa, 26 cases of the Bismuth type Ⅲb, 35 cases of the Bismuth type Ⅳ. The R 0 resection rate was 95.73%(202/211). There were 202 patients identified as adenocarcinoma of the bile duct, including 7 cases with poorly differentiated tumor, 189 cases with moderate to poorly differentiated tumor, 3 cases with moderate to well differentiated tumor, 3 cases with well differentiated tumor. There were 8 patients with poorly differentiated biliary mucinous adenocarcinoma, 1 patient with intraductal papillary neoplasm with high-grade epithelial dysplasia. There were 24 cases of stage Ⅰ, 98 cases of stage Ⅱ, 30 cases of stage ⅢA, 34 cases of stage ⅢB, 19 cases of stage ⅢC, 6 cases of stage ⅣA. Of the 211 patients, there were 25 cases with postoperative biliary fistula, 11 cases with postoperative abdominal infection, 3 cases with postoperative bleeding as anastomotic bleeding after biliary fistula, 2 cases with postoperative gastric emptying disability, 1 case with postoperative acute liver failure. There were 7 patients undergoing postoperative unplanned reoperation, including 3 cases with emergency operation for hemostasis, 4 cases with abdominal exploration debridement and drainage for severe abdominal infection. There were 3 cases dead during perioperative period, including 1 case of acute liver failure, 1 case of systemic infection and multiple organ failure, 1 case of exfoliated deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities and acute pulmonary embolism. The postoperative duration of hospital stay was (15±5)days of the 211 patients and (17±4)days of patients undergoing portal vein resection and reconstruction. The cost of hospital stay of the 211 patients was (11.7±1.7)ten thousand yuan. (3) Follow-up. Of the 211 patients, 188 patients were followed up for 21(range, 4?36)months. The median survival time of 188 patients was 22 months, and the postoperative 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate was 90.9%, 43.1% and 18.7%, respectively. Conclusion:LRHCCA is safe and feasible, with satisfactory short-term effect, under the coditions of clinicians with rich experience in laparoscopic surgery and patients with strict surgical evaluation.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the epidemiological characteristics (season, age, gender, mixed infection and clinical manifestations, etc.) of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection in children in Hainan Province, so as to provide epidemiological evidence-based medical basis for the prevention and control of MP infection in children in Hainan Province. Methods　The serum IgM antibodies of MP, Legionella pneumophila, Chlamydia pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Q fever Rickettsia, parainfluenza virus, influenza A virus and influenza B virus in children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) who were hospitalized in pediatrics of many hospitals in Hainan Province from March 2012 to February 2020 were detected by indirect immunofluorescence method. The positive serum MP-IgM antibody was defined as MP infection. The epidemiological and clinical data of MP infected cases were analyzed retrospectively. Results　From March, 2012 to February, 2020, a total of 35 731 qualified pediatric inpatients with RTIs in many hospitals in Hainan Province were tested for serum MP-IgM with the total positive rate of 39.12% (13 978/35 731). The yearly positive rates of MP-IgM from 2012 to 2020 were 48.39%, 56.23%, 56.62%, 47.04%, 29.71%, 24.14%, 47.55%, 36.84% and 24.46% respectively. The positive rates of MP-IgM in 2013 and 2014 were significantly higher than those in other years (P<0.05). The positive rate of MP-IgM in summer in Hainan Province was the highest (41.34%) and the lowest in winter (35.77%) (P<0.05). MP infection occurred in all age groups, the positive rate of MP-IgM in children of preschool (51.80%) was significantly higher than that in other age groups (P<0.01), and the positive rate of MP IgM in children of infancy (15.36%) was lower than that in other age groups (P<0.01). The positive rate of MP-IgM in female was 44.77%, which was significantly higher than that in male (35.83%) (P<0.05). MP infection combined with positive IgM of another pathogen accounted for 32.63% (4 561 cases), positive IgM of another two pathogens accounted for 1.26% (176 cases). MP infection was mostly found in pneumonia (68.73%), and the main clinical symptoms were cough (84.72%), fever (51.01%) and wheezing (3.16%). Conclusions　MP is an important pathogen of respiratory tract infection in children in Hainan Province, and infection is more common in children in early school age and early childhood. Mp-specific tests should be performed to identify the pathogen in children suspected of MP infection. In the high incidence season, health education should be strengthened in kindergartens, schools and other places to prevent respiratory tract infection.

BACKGROUND: Progressive lipid loss of adipose tissue is a major feature of cancer-associated cachexia. In addition to systemic immune/inflammatory effects in response to tumor progression, tumor-secreted cachectic ligands also play essential roles in tumor-induced lipid loss. However, the mechanisms of tumor-adipose tissue interaction in lipid homeostasis are not fully understood. METHODS: The yki -gut tumors were induced in fruit flies. Lipid metabolic assays were performed to investigate the lipolysis level of different types of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) treated cells. Immunoblotting was used to display phenotypes of tumor cells and adipocytes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was carried out to examine the gene expression levels such as Acc1 , Acly , and Fasn et al . RESULTS: In this study, it was revealed that tumor-derived IGFBP-3 was an important ligand directly causing lipid loss in matured adipocytes. IGFBP-3, which is highly expressed in cachectic tumor cells, antagonized insulin/IGF-like signaling (IIS) and impaired the balance between lipolysis and lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conditioned medium from cachectic tumor cells, such as Capan-1 and C26 cells, contained excessive IGFBP-3 that potently induced lipolysis in adipocytes. Notably, neutralization of IGFBP-3 by neutralizing antibody in the conditioned medium of cachectic tumor cells significantly alleviated the lipolytic effect and restored lipid storage in adipocytes. Furthermore, cachectic tumor cells were resistant to IGFBP-3 inhibition of IIS, ensuring their escape from IGFBP-3-associated growth suppression. Finally, cachectic tumor-derived ImpL2, the IGFBP-3 homolog, also impaired lipid homeostasis of host cells in an established cancer-cachexia model in Drosophila . Most importantly, IGFBP-3 was highly expressed in cancer tissues in pancreatic and colorectal cancer patients, especially higher in the sera of cachectic cancer patients than non-cachexia cancer patients. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that tumor-derived IGFBP-3 plays a critical role in cachexia-associated lipid loss and could be a biomarker for diagnosis of cachexia in cancer patients.
Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3/metabolism* ; Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology* ; Cachexia/pathology* ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Somatomedins/metabolism* ; Insulins/metabolism* ; Lipids

Objective: To investigate the clinical presentation and genetic characteristics of malignant infantile osteopetrosis. Methods: This was a retrospective case study. Thirty-seven children with malignant infantile osteopetrosis admitted into Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2013 to September 2022 were enrolled in this study. According to the gene mutations, the patients were divided into the CLCN7 group and the TCIRG1 group. Clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, and prognosis were compared between two groups. Wilcoxon test or Fisher exact test were used in inter-group comparison. The survival rate was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-Rank test was used to compare the difference in survival between groups. Results: Among the 37 cases, there were 22 males and 15 females. The age of diagnosis was 0.5 (0.2, 1.0) year. There were 13 patients (35%) and 24 patients (65%) with mutations in CLCN7 and TCIRGI gene respectively. Patients in the CLCN7 group had an older age of diagnosis than those in the TCIRGI group (1.2 (0.4, 3.6) vs. 0.4 (0.2, 0.6) years, Z=-2.60, P=0.008). The levels of serum phosphorus (1.7 (1.3, 1.8) vs. 1.1 (0.8, 1.6) mmol/L, Z=-2.59, P=0.010), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) (457 (143, 610) vs. 56 (37, 82) U/L, Z=-3.38, P=0.001) and the level of neutrophils (14.0 (9.9, 18.1) vs. 9.2 (6.7, 11.1) ×10⁹/L, Z=-2.07, P=0.039) at diagnosis were higher in the CLCN7 group than that in the TCIRG1 group. However, the level of D-dimer in the CLCN7 group was lower than that in the TCIRGI group (2.7 (1.0, 3.1) vs. 6.3 (2.5, 9.7) μg/L, Z=2.83, P=0.005). After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, there was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival rate between the two groups (92.3%±7.4% vs. 83.3%±7.6%, χ²=0.56, P=0.456). Conclusions: TCIRGI gene mutations are more common in children with osteopetrosis. Children with TCIRGI gene mutations have younger age, lower levels of phosphorus, CK-MB, and neutrophils and higher level of D-dimer at the onset. After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, patients with CLCN7 or TCIRGI gene mutations have similar prognosis.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Osteopetrosis/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Genes, Recessive ; Phosphorus ; Chloride Channels/genetics* ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics*