The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as other potential future coronavirus has challenged the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, there remains a need for alternative antivirals that target processes less susceptible to mutations, such as the formation of six-helix bundle (6-HB) during the viral fusion step of host cell entry. In this study, a novel high-throughput screening (HTS) assay employing a yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) system was established to identify inhibitors of HR1/HR2 interaction. The compound IMB-9C, which achieved single-digit micromolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and its Omicron variants with low cytotoxicity, was selected. IMB-9C effectively blocks the HR1/HR2 interaction in vitro and inhibits SARS-CoV-2-S-mediated cell-cell fusion. It binds to both HR1 and HR2 through non-covalent interaction and influences the secondary structure of HR1/HR2 complex. In addition, virtual docking and site-mutagenesis results suggest that amino acid residues A930, I931, K933, T941, and L945 are critical for IMB-9C binding to HR1. Collectively, in this study, we have developed a novel screening method for HR1/HR2 interaction inhibitors and identified IMB-9C as a potential antiviral small molecule against COVID-19 and its variants.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a boy with X-linked familial Behcet-like autoinflammatory syndrome-2 (AIFBL2). METHODS: A boy who was admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University in December 2023 due to recurrent oral ulcers for 2 years, intermittent abdominal pain and fever for more than 1 year was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. A literature search was conducted in OMIM, PubMed, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Biomedical Literature Service System, and the VIP database using the keywords "ELF4 gene" "deficiency in ELF4, X-linked" "ELF4 deficiency" and "DEX" to identify recently published studies. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No.: 2023-H-K44). RESULTS: The patient, a 12-year-old male, presented with recurrent mouth ulcers, fever and abdominal pain. Lymphocyte subsets showed a significant decrease in NK cells. Abdominal CT showed thickening of local intestinal wall in the lower right abdomen. Colonoscopy revealed a solitary deep longitudinal ulcer in the ileocecal region. Genetic testing revealed a hemizygote missense variant c.687C>G, with his mother showing the same mutation at this locus. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was considered likely pathogenic (PP1+PP2+PM2_Supporting+PP3+PP4). Literature review has found 19 AIFBL2 patients including 1 patient from this study. Mouth ulcer, fever, rash and abdominal pain were the primary clinical manifestations, for which genetic testing is the main diagnostic method. CONCLUSION The hemizygote c.687C>G missense variant of the ELF4 gene probably underlay the AIFBL2 in this child, which has provided a basis for his clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Humans ; Male ; Behcet Syndrome/genetics* ; Child ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases/genetics* ; Mutation

This article reports the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) initially manifested as acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AvWS), along with a literature review. The patient, a 22-year-old male, was diagnosed with hereditary von Willebrand disease at the initial stage due to repeated mucosal bleeding, and was later diagnosed with DLBCL (non germinal center type, Ann Arbor stage Ⅳ) due to chest wall mass. Through chemotherapy combined with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and zebutinib maintenance therapy, the patient achieved sustained complete remission, and the coagulation function returned to normal. This case provides an important reference for the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma associated AvWS, and highlights the importance of early recognition of basic diseases.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia(HAAA)in pediatric patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 212 children with aplastic anemia(AA)who were hospitalized at Henan Children's Hospital from September 2014 to February 2023.The patients were categorized into two groups based on etiology:the HAAA group and the non-HAAA group.The study group consisted of 23 patients in the HAAA group,while a control group of 115 children without HAAA was matched in a 1∶5 ratio based on age,sex,and severity of aplastic anemia.The clinical characteristics,treatment regimens,and outcomes of the 23 patients with HAAA were analyzed and compared with those of the control group comprising 115 patients.Results Among the 23 children with HAAA,there were 11 males and 12 females,with a median age of 6 years and 3 months(ranging from 1 year and 4 months to 12 years old).The onset of aplastic anemia in all HAAA children occurred after the initial presentation of acute hepatitis.Following gradual improvement in liver function,peripheral blood images showed a progressive decline by two or three lines,including platelets.Among these cases,very severe aplastic anemia was observed in 14 patients(60.9%),severe aplastic anemia in 7 patients(30.4%),and non-severe aplastic anemia in 2 patients(8.7%).The median interval between hepatitis onset and diagnosis of aplastic anemia was found to be 56 days(range:10～157 days).All 23 pediatric patients with HAAA presented with acute icteric hepatitis,accounting for 100%of the cohort.One patient(4.3%)was genetically diagnosed with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 2,while liver biopsy revealed drug-induced hepatitis/chemical liver injury in five patients(21.7%).Compared to the control group,HAAA patients exhibited significantly lower levels of CD4+cells[(1.2±0.3)vs.(1.5±0.1)]and CD4+/CD8+ratios[(-0.2±0.4)vs.(0.1±0.2)](P<0.05).Three patients received immunosuppressive therapy(IST),18 underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT),and two non-severe cases were treated with methylprednisolone sodium succinate and compound Zapoan pill;all patients survived.Conclusions Children with HAAA present a critical condition and exhibit a poor prognosis,predominantly manifesting as severe or extremely severe aplastic anemia during the recovery phase of hepatitis.Reduction in CD4+cell count and inversion of CD4+/CD8+ratio may serve as early warning indicators for HAAA.Effective improvement in prognosis can be achieved through immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic characteristics of three patients with Infantile liver failure syndrome type 2 (ILFS2). METHODS: Three children who were diagnosed with ILFS2 at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from February 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the children were collected. Peripheral blood samples of the children and their parents were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants of the NBAS gene were verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2024-k-069). RESULTS: The three children had presented with fever-triggered recurrent acute liver failure. All of them were found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the NBAS gene, including c.3596G>A and c.1181A>T in child 1, c.2617C>T and c.2T>C in child 2, and c.3596G>A and c.2817_2818insT in child 3. Among these, the c.1181A>T and c.2817_2818insT variants were unreported previously. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), they were respectively classified as variants of uncertain significance (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP3) and pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3). CONCLUSION Combined with the patient's clinical phenotype, the compound heterozygous variants of the NBAS gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of ILFS2 in the three children. For children with fever-related acute liver failure of unknown causes, the possibility of this disease should be suspected, and genetic testing may facilitate the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly improve the prognosis. Discoveries of the c.1181A>T and c.2817_2818insT variants have enriched the mutational spectrum of the NBAS gene.
Humans ; Exome Sequencing ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Liver Failure, Acute/etiology* ; Mutation ; Child ; Adult ; Neoplasm Proteins

Objective To evaluate the effect of sodium hypochlorite and Ultra Clean on root canal cleaning and dentin structure.Methods A total of 129 single canal isolated teeth were collected and root canal was prepared to M # with Waveone Gold nickel titani-um file.After preparation,they were divided into 3 groups by random number table according to irrigant:group A sodium hypochlorite+normal saline,group B sodium hypochlorite+EDTA,and group C sodium hypochlorite+Ultra Clean.The dye was stained with 1％methylene blue solution,and the penetration depth and range of the dye solution were observed under a type microscope.The removal of debris and stain layer in the root canal was observed by digital camera and scanning electron microscope.The change of dentin micro-structure was analyzed by Fourier infrared spectrometer.Results In the upper middle part of the root canal,the penetration depth and range of group C were greater than those of groups A and B(P＜0.05);the percentage of debris in group C was lower than that of groups A and B(P＜0.05),and the stain layer score in groups B and C was lower than that of group A(P＜0.05).In the lower root ca-nal segment,groups B and C were superior to group A in the evaluation of permeability,debris and stain removal(P＜0.05).The demineralization ability and exposure of dentin collagen fiber in group C were higher than those in group A and blank group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Sodium hypochlorite combined with Ultra Clean is considered to have good cleaning effect and strong demineralization ability,but it may slightly increase the exposure of organic matter such as collagen fiber.

Objective:To explore the clinical features and genetic characteristics of three patients with Infantile liver failure syndrome type 2 (ILFS2).Methods:Three children who were diagnosed with ILFS2 at the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from February 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the children were collected. Peripheral blood samples of the children and their parents were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants of the NBAS gene were verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2024-k-069). Results:The three children had presented with fever-triggered recurrent acute liver failure. All of them were found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the NBAS gene, including c. 3596G>A and c.1181A>T in child 1, c.2617C>T and c. 2T>C in child 2, and c. 3596G>A and c. 2817_2818insT in child 3. Among these, the c. 1181A>T and c. 2817_2818insT variants were unreported previously. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), they were respectively classified as variants of uncertain significance (PM2_Supporting+ PM3+ PP3) and pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3). Conclusion:Combined with the patient′s clinical phenotype, the compound heterozygous variants of the NBAS gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of ILFS2 in the three children. For children with fever-related acute liver failure of unknown causes, the possibility of this disease should be suspected, and genetic testing may facilitate the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly improve the prognosis. Discoveries of the c. 1181A>T and c. 2817_2818insT variants have enriched the mutational spectrum of the NBAS gene.

Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a boy with X-linked familial Behcet-like autoinflammatory syndrome-2 (AIFBL2).Methods:A boy who was admitted to Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University in December 2023 due to recurrent oral ulcers for 2 years, intermittent abdominal pain and fever for more than 1 year was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. A literature search was conducted in OMIM, PubMed, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Biomedical Literature Service System, and the VIP database using the keywords " ELF4 gene" " deficiency in ELF4, X-linked" " ELF4 deficiency" and " DEX" to identify recently published studies. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No.: 2023-H-K44). Results:The patient, a 12-year-old male, presented with recurrent mouth ulcers, fever and abdominal pain. Lymphocyte subsets showed a significant decrease in NK cells. Abdominal CT showed thickening of local intestinal wall in the lower right abdomen. Colonoscopy revealed a solitary deep longitudinal ulcer in the ileocecal region. Genetic testing revealed a hemizygote missense variant c. 687C>G, with his mother showing the same mutation at this locus. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was considered likely pathogenic (PP1+ PP2+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3+ PP4). Literature review has found 19 AIFBL2 patients including 1 patient from this study. Mouth ulcer, fever, rash and abdominal pain were the primary clinical manifestations, for which genetic testing is the main diagnostic method.Conclusion:The hemizygote c. 687C>G missense variant of the ELF4 gene probably underlay the AIFBL2 in this child, which has provided a basis for his clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Objective:To summarize the clinical phenotype and analyze genetic variant characteristics of hereditary pancreatitis (HP) in children.Methods:Eight families of children diagnosed with HP and admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from August 2022 to May 2024 were selected as the research subjects. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics, pathogenic gene carrying status, and follow-up of the children. Whole exome sequencing was applied to conduct genetic testing on the 8 children and their relatives. Suspected variations were verified by Sanger sequencing and subjected to bioinformatics analysis.Results:This population was made up of 2 boys and 6 girls with the median onset age of 1.2(0.5-3.4) years. The median age at diagnosis was 2.9(1.5-5.7) years. The clinical symptoms and signs were abdominal pain (8/8), abnormal crying (6/8), vomiting (4/8), and bloating (2/8). None of them had jaundice, fever, hydrothorax or ascites. Pancreatitis generally occurred 4-6 times, and occurred 1-3 times before HP was diagnosed. 6 patients had family history of pancreatitis. Blood amylase and lipase in all 8 patients spiked by over 3 folds. Abdominal imaging showed enlarged pancreas with or without peripheral exudation (8/8), and pancreatic pseudocyst (1/8). The whole exome sequencing detected 2 splicing variant of SPINK1 gene c.194+2T>C(p.IVS3+2T>C), and 6 missense variations of PRSS1 gene c.86A>T(p.N29I) ( n=4) and c.365G>A(p.R122H) ( n=2). Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), all variants were assessed as pathogenic, including 6 inherited from father and 2 from mother. The predicted splicing model indicated that the splice site mutation c.194+2T>C can cause exon skipping, resulting in an unstable truncated protein. Analysis with PyMOL software suggested that the variants c.86A>T (p.N29I) and c.365G>A (p.R122H) may affect the structure of the encoded protein. Conventional conservative measures, including fasting, trypsin secretion inhibition by octreotide, were offered. One child underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram plus pancreatic duct lithotomy and pancreatic duct stenting. Conclusions:For recurrent childhood pancreatitis, especially with family history, genetic testing is helpful for early diagnosis of HP.

Objective:To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of pediatric and adolescent mediastinal T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) and to evaluate their predictive value for early treatment response.Methods:A retrospective, multicenter case series study was conducted on 49 pediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with mediastinal T-LBL between September 2020 and May 2024 at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Beijing Gaobo Boren Hospital, and Henan Cancer Hospital.All patients underwent chest MRI, including conventional MRI sequences and diffusion-weighted imaging.Tumor imaging characteristics were analyzed, and quantitative parameters such as minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin), maximum ADC (ADCmax), and mean ADC (ADCmean) were measured.Treatment response was evaluated 15 days post-treatment.The patients were divided into a response group (complete or partial response, 26 cases) and a non-response group (progressive disease or minor response, 23 cases).The relationship between MRI features and treatment response was analyzed.The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess inter-reader agreement, and independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests were employed to compare differences between groups.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the predictive performance of imaging parameters. Results:Significant differences were observed between the response and non-response groups in ADC values [ADCmin (0.80±0.41)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs.(1.23±0.70)×10 -3 mm 2/s, ADCmax (1.14±0.48)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs.(1.92±0.77)×10 -3 mm 2/s, ADCmean (0.98±0.42)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs.(1.56±0.74)×10 -3 mm 2/s] and the maximum tumor diameter was [(11.92±3.61) cm vs.(8.17±2.46) cm] (all P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that ADCmax had the highest predictive efficiency for treatment response, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.853 (95% CI: 0.790-0.910), sensitivity of 92.3%, and specificity of 65.2%.The AUC for the maximum tumor diameter was 0.814, demonstrating its excellent predictive performance. Conclusions:MRI features, particularly ADC values and the maximum tumor diameter, can effectively predict treatment response in pediatric and adolescent mediastinal T-LBL.