OBJECTIVE To explore the potential mechanisms of forkhead box protein A1(FOXA1)in benzo[a]pyrene(BaP)-induced carcinogenesis by investigating the effect of FOXA1 by knockout on microRNA(miRNA)expression profiles in BaP malignant transformed cells THBEc1 and establishing regulatory networks between FOXA1,miRNA and their target genes.METHODS FOXA1 knockout THBEc1 cells THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and control cells THBEc1-ctrl were used as study models.Western blotting was employed to determine FOXA1 protein expression levels.Next-generation sequencing(NGS)tech-nology was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and THBEc1-ctrl cells,with subsequent validation by RT-qPCR.Five databases(ENCORI,miRDB,mirDIP,miRWalk and TargetScan 8.0)were used in conjunction with NGS results of mRNA between THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and THBEc1-ctrl to predict different expressed genes(DEGs)regulated by the identified differentially expressed miRNAs.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted on the DEGs using the DAVID database.Interaction network analysis of the proteins encoded by the DEGs was performed using STRING 12.0 and Cytoscape 3.10.2 software.RESULTS No FOXA1 expression was detected in THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 cells.A differential analysis of miRNA expressions revealed 33 miRNAs with a fold change of＞2 or＜0.5 and a false discovery rate of＜0.05 between THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and THBEc1-ctrl cells,13 of which were down-regulated and 20 were up-regulated in THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 cells.A regulatory network was formed by 11 down-regulated miRNAs and 32 up-regulated mRNAs,while a second network included 16 up-regulated miRNAs and 56 down-regulated mRNAs.The 27 differentially expressed miRNAs participated in various biological processes through the regulation of 88 DEGs,primarily associated with cell growth,proliferation,migration,apoptosis,angiogenesis,epithe-lial-mesenchymal transition,and signal transduction(TGF-β,Hippo,NF-kappa B and MAPK pathways).CONCLUSION The miRNA expression profile in BaP-malignant transformed THBEc1 cells is altered following FOXA1 knockout that may disrupt TGF-β and MAPK signaling pathways by changing miRNA expression levels,thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and migration.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia caused by COMP gene variants in pediatric patients.Methods:This retrospective study concluded 15 pediatric patients with COMP-related pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia at Shanghai Children′s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from July 2013 to August 2024. This paper analyzed clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and genetic testing.Results:This cohort comprised 15 pediatric patients (8 males and 7 females) with a diagnostic age of 5.3 (1.8,9.3) years. The major clinical presentations included abnormal gait (15/15), brachydactyly (11/15), genu varum (12/15), irregular metaphyseal changes (14/14) and epiphyseal dysplasia (14/14). Genetic analysis revealed 13 cases of pseudoachondroplasia and 2 multiple epiphyseal dysplasias cases associated with COMP gene variants. Fifteen variants were identified (8 pathogenic and 7 likely pathogenic), including 2 novel variants (c.1223A>G, c.1378G>C). Thirteen of these patients had variations clustered in exons 8-14 encoding the calmodulin-like domains, with c.1414_1419dupGACGAC emerging as a hotspot variant.Conclusions:COMP-related pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia predominantly manifest with gait abnormalities and skeletal deformities. COMP gene pathogenic variations were mainly located in calmodulin-like domains.

OBJECTIVE To explore the potential mechanisms of forkhead box protein A1(FOXA1)in benzo[a]pyrene(BaP)-induced carcinogenesis by investigating the effect of FOXA1 by knockout on microRNA(miRNA)expression profiles in BaP malignant transformed cells THBEc1 and establishing regulatory networks between FOXA1,miRNA and their target genes.METHODS FOXA1 knockout THBEc1 cells THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and control cells THBEc1-ctrl were used as study models.Western blotting was employed to determine FOXA1 protein expression levels.Next-generation sequencing(NGS)tech-nology was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and THBEc1-ctrl cells,with subsequent validation by RT-qPCR.Five databases(ENCORI,miRDB,mirDIP,miRWalk and TargetScan 8.0)were used in conjunction with NGS results of mRNA between THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and THBEc1-ctrl to predict different expressed genes(DEGs)regulated by the identified differentially expressed miRNAs.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted on the DEGs using the DAVID database.Interaction network analysis of the proteins encoded by the DEGs was performed using STRING 12.0 and Cytoscape 3.10.2 software.RESULTS No FOXA1 expression was detected in THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 cells.A differential analysis of miRNA expressions revealed 33 miRNAs with a fold change of＞2 or＜0.5 and a false discovery rate of＜0.05 between THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 and THBEc1-ctrl cells,13 of which were down-regulated and 20 were up-regulated in THBEc1-ΔFOXA1-c34 cells.A regulatory network was formed by 11 down-regulated miRNAs and 32 up-regulated mRNAs,while a second network included 16 up-regulated miRNAs and 56 down-regulated mRNAs.The 27 differentially expressed miRNAs participated in various biological processes through the regulation of 88 DEGs,primarily associated with cell growth,proliferation,migration,apoptosis,angiogenesis,epithe-lial-mesenchymal transition,and signal transduction(TGF-β,Hippo,NF-kappa B and MAPK pathways).CONCLUSION The miRNA expression profile in BaP-malignant transformed THBEc1 cells is altered following FOXA1 knockout that may disrupt TGF-β and MAPK signaling pathways by changing miRNA expression levels,thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and migration.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia caused by COMP gene variants in pediatric patients.Methods:This retrospective study concluded 15 pediatric patients with COMP-related pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia at Shanghai Children′s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from July 2013 to August 2024. This paper analyzed clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and genetic testing.Results:This cohort comprised 15 pediatric patients (8 males and 7 females) with a diagnostic age of 5.3 (1.8,9.3) years. The major clinical presentations included abnormal gait (15/15), brachydactyly (11/15), genu varum (12/15), irregular metaphyseal changes (14/14) and epiphyseal dysplasia (14/14). Genetic analysis revealed 13 cases of pseudoachondroplasia and 2 multiple epiphyseal dysplasias cases associated with COMP gene variants. Fifteen variants were identified (8 pathogenic and 7 likely pathogenic), including 2 novel variants (c.1223A>G, c.1378G>C). Thirteen of these patients had variations clustered in exons 8-14 encoding the calmodulin-like domains, with c.1414_1419dupGACGAC emerging as a hotspot variant.Conclusions:COMP-related pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia predominantly manifest with gait abnormalities and skeletal deformities. COMP gene pathogenic variations were mainly located in calmodulin-like domains.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic basis for a male neonate featuring hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural hearing loss, and renal dysplasia (HDR) syndrome. METHODS: The child was subjected to genome-wide copy number variation (CNVs) analysis and whole exome sequencing (WES). Clinical data of the patient was analyzed. A literature review was also carried out. RESULTS: The patient, a male neonate, had presented with peculiar facial appearance, simian crease and sacrococcygeal mass. Blood test revealed hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism. Hearing test suggested bilateral sensorineural deafness. Doppler ultrasound showed absence of right kidney. Copy number variation sequencing revealed a 12.71 Mb deletion at 10p15.3-p13 (chr10: 105 001_12 815 001) region. WES confirmed haploinsufficiency of the GATA3 gene. With supplement of calcium and vitamin D, the condition of the child has improved. CONCLUSION The deletion of 10p15.3p13 probably underlay the HDR syndrome in this patient.
DNA Copy Number Variations ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; Humans ; Hypoparathyroidism/genetics* ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney/abnormalities* ; Male ; Syndrome ; Urogenital Abnormalities/genetics*

Objective:To explore the clinical features and survival of newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma (FL) patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) component.Methods:1845 newly diagnosed FL patients aged ≥ 18 years with grades 1-3a in 11 medical centers in China from 2000 to 2020 were included, and patients with DLBCL component were screened. The clinical data and survival data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed, and the prognostic factors were screened by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results:146 patients (7.9% ) with newly diagnosed FL had DLBCL component. The median age was 56 (25-83) years, 79 males (54.1% ) . The pathology of 127 patients showed the proportion of DLBCL component. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether the proportion of DLBCL component was ≥ 50% . The study found that patients with DLBCL component ≥ 50% had higher grade 3 ratio (94.3% vs 91.9% , P=0.010) , Ki-67 index ≥ 70% ratio (58.5% vs 32.9% , P=0.013) and PET-CT SUVmax ≥ 13 ratio (72.4% vs 46.3% , P=0.030) than patients with DLBCL component<50% . All patients received CHOP or CHOP like ± rituximab chemotherapy. The overall response rate (ORR) was 88.2% , and the complete response (CR) rate was 76.4% . In the groups with different proportions of DLBCL component, there was no significant difference in the remission rate after induction treatment and the incidence of disease progression within 2 years after initiation of treatment (POD24) ( P<0.05) . The overall estimated 5-year progression free survival (PFS) rate was 58.9% , and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 90.4% . The 5-year OS rate of POD24 patients was lower than that of non POD24 patients (70.3% vs 98.5% , P<0.001) . Compared with non maintenance treatment of rituximab, maintenance treatment of rituximab could not benefit the 5-year PFS rate (57.7% vs 58.8% , P=0.543) , and the 5-year OS rate had a benefit trend, but the difference was not statistically significant (100% vs 87.8% , P=0.082) . Multivariate analysis showed that failure to reach CR after induction treatment was an independent risk factor for PFS ( P=0.006) , while LDH higher than normal was an independent risk factor for OS ( P=0.031) . Conclusion:FL patients with DLBCL component ≥50% have more invasive clinical and pathological features. CHOP/CHOP like ± rituximab regimen can improve the clinical efficacy of patients. Rituximab maintenance therapy can not benefit the PFS and OS of patients. Failure to reach CR after induction therapy was the independent unfavorable factor for PFS.

Purpose: Pyrotinib is a newly-developed irreversible pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This study reported the first real-world data of pyrotinib-based therapy in metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC), focusing on efficacy in lapatinib-treated patients and in brain metastasis. Materials and Methods: One hundred thirteen patients with metastatic HER2-positive BC treated with pyrotinib-based therapy in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center under non-clinical trial settings from September 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019 were included. Results: Over half patients have received more than two lines of systematic therapy and exposed to two or more kinds of anti-HER2 agents. Most patients received a combined therapy, commonly of pyrotinib plus capecitabine, or vinorelbine or trastuzumab. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months (range, 5.54 to 7.06 months) and objective response rate (ORR) was 29.5%, with two patients (1.9%) achieving complete response. Lapatinib-naïve patients had significantly longer PFS than lapatinib-treated patients (9.0 months vs. 5.4 months, p=0.001). ORR for lapatinib-treated patients was 23.2%. Thirty-one of 113 patients have brain metastasis. Median PFS was 6.7 months and intracranial ORR was 28%. For patients without concurrent radiotherapy and/or brain surgery, the ORR was very low (6.3%). But for patients receiving concurrent radiotherapy and/or brain surgery, the ORR was 66.7%, and three patients achieved complete response. Most common adverse event was diarrhea. Conclusion Pyrotinib-based therapy demonstrated promising effects in metastatic HER2-positive BC and showed activity in lapatinib-treated patients. For patients with brain metastasis, pyrotinib-based regimen without radiotherapy showed limited efficacy, but when combined with radiotherapy it showed promising intracranial control.

Six patients with POEMS syndrome who received autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) were retrospectively analyzed.Conditioning regimen was high dose melphalan.Peripheral blood stem cells were collected after mobilization with cyclophosphamide (CTX) and growth factors.One patient presenting hydrothorax and ascites was treated with 3 cycles of lenalidomide and dexamethasone before mobilization.Auto-PBSCT was fairly tolerable.Hematopoietic reconstitution was successful in all patients without transplantation-related mortality.A decrease or normalization of serum vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) was observed in all patients at 3 months after transplantation.The neurological remission was seen in 5/6 patients.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of early term and full term neonates, and analyze the risk factors associated with short term outcomes in early term neonates. Method: Neonates with birth weight (BW) ≥2 500 g from year 2013 were analyzed retrospectively based on American Congress of Obstericians & Gynecologists (ACOG) latest definition of term infants. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, early term (gestational age 37-38 weeks) and full term(gestational age 39-40 weeks) neonates were included, whose morbidity constituent proportion was analyzed by χ² test or Fisher accuracy test or t test or Wilcoxon test. Risk factors associated with short term outcomes in early term population were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. Result: There were 3 002 discharged term infants being investigated, among whom 1 303 cases were included(768 males and 535 females), and 37, 38, 39 and 40 weeks′ gestational age newborns were 160, 324, 450 and 369 respectively. Compared with full term neonates(n=819), early term neonates (n=484) had longer length of hospital stay (LOS)(6.0(5.0, 9.0) vs. 6.0(4.0, 8.0), Z=2.830, P=0.005), higher usage rate of intravenous antibiotics(86.4%(418/484) vs. 80.1%(656/819), χ²=8.009, P=0.005), higher assisted ventilation rate(9.5%(46/484) vs. 2.9%(24/819), χ²=25.528, P<0.01), higher pulmonary surfactant administration rate(4.3%(21/484) vs. 1.1%(9/819), χ²=14.006, P<0.01), as well as higher hypoglycemia incidence(3.9%(19/484) vs. 1.2%(10/819), χ²=10.226, P=0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in 1 min Apgar score (9(9, 10)vs. 9(9, 10), Z=0.860, P=0.390), 5 min Apgar score (10(9, 10) vs. 10(9, 10), Z=0.810, P=0.418), white blood cell count (15 (11, 21) ×10⁹ /L vs.15 (11, 22) ×10⁹ /L, Z=0.880, P=0.379), hemoglobin count(180 (159, 205) vs. 182 (160, 204) g/L, Z=0.560, P=0.576), or platelet count(303(234, 372) ×10⁹/L vs. 301(237, 391) ×10⁹/L, Z=0.550, P=0.584). BW between 2 500 g and 2 999 g(OR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.10-2.62, χ² =5.614, P=0.018), wet lung(OR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.61-4.24, χ²=15.023, P=0.000)and pneumonia(OR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.14-3.08, χ²=6.192, P=0.013) were risk factors in early term neonates′ short term adverse outcomes. Conclusion Early term newborns are still at their "immature" state, and respiratory disorders are major risk factors associated with short term outcomes. Hence, early delivery during 37-38 weeks should be avoided as possible as we can.

Background and purpose:Esophageal carcinoma is one of main malignancies with rapid course and a poor prognosis in China. The reasons of poor overall survival are the invasion and metastasis of the tumor. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) play essential roles in promoting tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression and functional signiifcance of matrix metalloproteinase 16(MMP-16) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We expect to ifnd a lead molecule for the beneift of early detecting tumor and the development of novel treatment of ESCC. Methods:The expression levels of MMP-16 protein and mRNA in human ESCC and the matched normal tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR). The stable Ec109 cell line with MMP-16 knockdown and negative controls were established by RNA interference technology. The cell migration, invasion, proliferation and cell apoptosis of MMP-16 in stable interfered Ec109 cell line was examined by cell counting, scratch test, Transwell test and lfow cytometry assays. The data were analyzed by t test. Results:MMP-16 protein was downregulated in cancerous group compared with the matched normal tissue and correlated with the clinical features of histological differentiation (P<0.05) and tumor stage (P<0.05). The levels of MMP-16 mRNA and protein in Ec109 were signiifcantly decreased by RNA intetrence (P<0.05). We demonstrated that MMP-16 silencing signiifcantly promoted cell invasion and migration (P<0.05), and inhibited cell apoptosis (P<0.05), while no significant effect was observed on cell proliferation (P>0.05). Conclusion: MMP-16 is downregulated in human ESCC tissues. The cell migration and invasion is promoted by interference of MMP-16 in Ec109, while the cell apoptosis is inhibited. MMP-16 may be considered as a target gene for therapy of ESCC.