The PCR-amplified severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus(SFTSV)Gn-DⅢ-Ⅲ gene was inserted into the pET-30a(+)prokaryotic expression vector to generate the re-combinant plasmid pET-SFTSV-Gn-D Ⅲ-Ⅲ.The plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3)for Gn-DⅢ-m protein expression and the expression conditions were optimized.The Gn-DⅢ-Ⅲ protein purified with Ni-NTA column affinity chromatography was applied as the captured antigen to establish an indirect ELISA method for the detection of SFTSV antibody.The results demonstrated that the recombinant plasmid pET-SFTSV-Gn-D Ⅲ-Ⅲ was successfully constructed as identified by PCR and sequencing.The recombinant protein SFTSV Gn-D m-Ⅲ was soluble ex-pression in E.coli under the optimal induction conditions of 0.4 mmol/L IPTG at 25 ℃ for 4 h,and the protein purity was 91.77％after purification by Ni-NTA column.The optimal reaction con-ditions for the indirect ELISA of SFTSV antibody were as follows:coating antigen concentration(5 μg/mL),primary antibody(incubation at 37 ℃ for 1.5 h),and secondary antibody(diluted 1:10 000 and incubated at 37 ℃ for 1 h).The established method had no cross-reactivity with Rift Valley fever virus(RVFV),Ebola virus(EBOV),and tick-borne encephalitis virus(TBEV)posi-tive sera.The method had a high sensitivity,with P/N＞2.1 for SFTSV-positive sera diluted to 81920.Coefficients of variation for intra-and inter-batch reactions were less than 10％.Detection of four SFTSV-infected human clinical serum samples showed the serum samples from patients in re-mission were tested as positive(P/N＞2.1),while serum samples from patients with multiple or-gan failure were detected as negative(P/N＜2.1).The results indicated that the SFTSV Gn-D Ⅲ-Ⅲ protein was successfully expressed and purified,and it was used as the coating protein to estab-lish an indirect ELISA assay for SFTSV antibody,which possesses good specificity,sensitivity and reproducibility.This method might be applied to detect human SFTSV clinical serum samples.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Yanghetang （YHT） on breast cancer 4T1 cells and their mitogen-activated protein kinase （MEK）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） signaling pathway. MethodThe YHT-containing serum was prepared from SD rats. The rats were randomly assigned into a blank group （normal saline） and low-， medium-， and high-dose （5.8， 11.6， 23.2 g·kg^-1， respectively） YHT groups. The serum containing 10% YHT in each group was mixed with 90% RMPI 1640 complete medium， and the mixture was used to interfere with the cells. Cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method was used to detect the proliferation of the 4T1 cells treated with YHT for 24， 48， 72 h. The apoptosis， migration， and invasion of 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry， scratch test， and Transwell assay， respectively. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of MEK1/2， phosphorylation （p）-MEK1/2， ERK1/2， p-ERK1/2， and rat sarcoma virus （RAS） protein. ResultCompared with the blank group， the intervention with YHT-containing serum for 24， 48， and 72 h had significant inhibitory effect on 4T1 cell proliferation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After intervention with YHT-containing serum for 48 h， the apoptosis rate of cells increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the intervention with YHT for 24 h and 48 h decreased the healing ability of cells in the scratch test （P<0.01）. The invasive ability of cells treated with the low， medium， and high-dose YHT containing serum showed a decreasing trend （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， YHT-containing serum did not change the expression of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 while down-regulating the expression of p-MEK1/2， p-ERK1/2， and RAS protein （P<0.01）. ConclusionYHT can inhibit the proliferation， migration， and invasion and promote the apoptosis of breast cancer 4T1 cells. In may promote the apoptosis by inhibiting the MEK/ERK signaling pathway and down-regulating the expression of p-MEK1/2， p-ERK1/2， and RAS protein.

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is characterized by diffuse alveolar injury primarily caused by an excessive inflammatory response. Regrettably, the lack of effective pharmacotherapy currently available contributes to the high mortality rate in patients with this condition. Xuebijing (XBJ), a traditional Chinese medicine recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, exhibits promise as a potential therapeutic agent for ALI/ARDS. This study aimed to explore the preventive effects of XBJ on ALI and its underlying mechanism. To this end, we established an LPS-induced ALI model and treated ALI mice with XBJ. Our results demonstrated that pre-treatment with XBJ significantly alleviated lung inflammation and increased the survival rate of ALI mice by 37.5%. Moreover, XBJ substantially suppressed the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the lung tissue. Subsequently, we performed a network pharmacology analysis and identified identified 109 potential target genes of XBJ that were mainly involved in multiple signaling pathways related to programmed cell death and anti-inflammatory responses. Furthermore, we found that XBJ exerted its inhibitory effect on gasdermin-E-mediated pyroptosis of lung cells by suppressing TNF-α production. Therefore, this study not only establishes the preventive efficacy of XBJ in ALI but also reveals its role in protecting alveolar epithelial cells against gasdermin-E-mediated pyroptosis by reducing TNF-α release.
Animals ; Mice ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells ; Pyroptosis ; Gasdermins ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of nephrotic syndrome induced by sunitinib， and to provide reference for clinical rational drug use. METHODS Retrieved from CNKI， VIP， Wanfang data， PubMed， Web of Science and Medline， case report about sunitinib-induced nephrotic syndrome were collected from the inception to Oct. 30th， 2022. Those case reports were analyzed statistically in terms of gender， age， primary disease， drug use， clinical manifestations， treatment and outcome. RESULTS A total of 15 pieces of literature were collected and 17 patients were involved， including 10 males and 7 females. The average age of patients was （59.35±15.72） years. Among 17 patients， there were 10 patients with renal cell carcinoma and 7 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor， all of whom received evidence-based medication； the dosage of sunitinib in 15 cases was recorded， and all of them were within the recommended range of the instructions； 9 patients received combined therapy； the time from sunitinib application to the occurrence of nephrotic syndrome was 21 days-52 months， of which 11 cases were ≤2 years. The clinical manifestations in 13 patients were described， including edema， oliguria， foamy urine， weight gain， fatigue， dyspnea on exertion， etc. Eight patients had other adverse reactions induced by sunitinib before suffering from nephrotic syndrome， including new hypertension or worsening of original hypertension， and hand-foot syndrome. Renal biopsy mainly manifested as thrombotic microangiopathy， focal segmental glomerular sclerosis and immune complex glomerulonephritis. Sunitinib withdrawal or dosage reduction was adopted in all patients， and they were given symptomatic treatment such as glucocorticoids and antihypertensive agents. Symptoms of 16 patients were improved， and renal function of one patient deteriorated and hemodialysis was started. Sunitinib was re-challenged in 6 patients， elevated creatinine and substantial proteinuria recurred in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS In clinical use of sunitinib， it is advisable to periodically monitor renal function. In case of deterioration of renal function， albuminuria， edema， etc.， relevant examinations should be implemented in time， and symptomatic intervention should be taken as soon as possible. Besides， we should be alert to the recurrence of nephrotic syndrome after sunitinib rechallenge.

Gene editing technology has been a hotspot in the field of biotechnology. CRISPR/Cas systems are efficient gene editing tools because of its specificity, simplicity and flexibility, these features enabled the rapid application of CRISPR/Cas systems in a variety of organisms. Moreover, the combination of transcriptional activator with dead Cas protein can achieve specific regulation of gene expression at the transcription level, which has made important contributions to the development of biotechnology in medical and agriculture. Overexpression of foreign genes is a common method to verify gene function and regulation. However, due to the limitation of vector capacity, it is difficult to achieve overexpression of multiple genes. CRISPR/Cas9 activation system can regulate the expression of multiple genes under the guidance of different guide RNAs to verify gene functions at the regulatory level. This review summarizes the composition of the CRISPR/Cas9 activation system and different activation strategies, and summarizes solutions for excessive activation. It may facilitate the application of CRISPR/Cas9 activation system in genetic improvement of cotton and herbicide resistance research.
Biotechnology ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Gene Editing ; Phenotype ; RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/metabolism*

Objective:To know the clinical characteristics of liver injury related to levetiracetam (LEV).Methods:The relevant databases at home and abroad (up to August 31st, 2021) were searched and the case reports on LEV-associated liver injury were collected. Clinical information including patients′ basic characteristics, LEV application, concomitant medication, and occurrence, treatment, and outcome of liver injury, etc. were collected and analyzed by descriptive statistical method.Results:A total of 17 patients were enrolled in the study, including 9 males and 8 females, aged from 1 month to 76 years with an average age of 35 years. The primary disease was idiopathic epilepsy in 7 patients and secondary epilepsy in 10 patients. Five cases had comorbidities. Thirteen patients had drug dosage records, all of which were within the range recommended in the labels; 13 patients had concomitant medication. The time from LEV treatment to the occurrence of liver injury ranged from several hours to 5 months in 17 patients and it was ≤2 months in 14 patients. The classification of liver injury was hepatocellular type in 7 patients, cholestasis type in 1 patient, mixed type in 1 patient, and unable to be determined due to lack of relevant data in 8 patients. Clinical symptoms were recorded in 10 patients, including yellowish skin and sclera in 5 cases, fever in 4 cases, nausea in 2 cases, vomiting in 2 cases, and biliuria in 2 cases. LEV was discontinued in 14 patients, 4 of whom did not received other interventions and the liver function was improved or returned to normal 2 to 20 days after drug withdrawal; LEV was replaced with other antiepileptic drugs and/or symptomatic treatments in 10 patients, 9 patients′ liver function were improved or returned to normal (the recovery time was 5-37 days in 5 patients and not recorded in 4 patients), 1 patient had normal liver function after liver transplantation, but the liver injury recurred after LEV use again and was improved after drug withdrawal. Two patients did not stop LEV, one underwent liver transplantation due to liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy, and the prognosis was unknown; the other one developed fulminant liver failure and died. One patient had no record of whether or not stopping LEV, and the liver function returned to normal after artificial liver support treatment.Conclusions:LEV-related liver injury mostly occurred within 2 months after drug administration. The clinical manifestations were similar to the liver injury caused by other drugs. Liver function usually was improved or returned to normal after the drug withdrawal. The patients who did not stop LEV had poor prognosis, and severe cases could lead to liver failure or death.

Objective:To know the clinical characteristics of liver injury related to levetiracetam (LEV).Methods:The relevant databases at home and abroad (up to August 31st, 2021) were searched and the case reports on LEV-associated liver injury were collected. Clinical information including patients′ basic characteristics, LEV application, concomitant medication, and occurrence, treatment, and outcome of liver injury, etc. were collected and analyzed by descriptive statistical method.Results:A total of 17 patients were enrolled in the study, including 9 males and 8 females, aged from 1 month to 76 years with an average age of 35 years. The primary disease was idiopathic epilepsy in 7 patients and secondary epilepsy in 10 patients. Five cases had comorbidities. Thirteen patients had drug dosage records, all of which were within the range recommended in the labels; 13 patients had concomitant medication. The time from LEV treatment to the occurrence of liver injury ranged from several hours to 5 months in 17 patients and it was ≤2 months in 14 patients. The classification of liver injury was hepatocellular type in 7 patients, cholestasis type in 1 patient, mixed type in 1 patient, and unable to be determined due to lack of relevant data in 8 patients. Clinical symptoms were recorded in 10 patients, including yellowish skin and sclera in 5 cases, fever in 4 cases, nausea in 2 cases, vomiting in 2 cases, and biliuria in 2 cases. LEV was discontinued in 14 patients, 4 of whom did not received other interventions and the liver function was improved or returned to normal 2 to 20 days after drug withdrawal; LEV was replaced with other antiepileptic drugs and/or symptomatic treatments in 10 patients, 9 patients′ liver function were improved or returned to normal (the recovery time was 5-37 days in 5 patients and not recorded in 4 patients), 1 patient had normal liver function after liver transplantation, but the liver injury recurred after LEV use again and was improved after drug withdrawal. Two patients did not stop LEV, one underwent liver transplantation due to liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy, and the prognosis was unknown; the other one developed fulminant liver failure and died. One patient had no record of whether or not stopping LEV, and the liver function returned to normal after artificial liver support treatment.Conclusions:LEV-related liver injury mostly occurred within 2 months after drug administration. The clinical manifestations were similar to the liver injury caused by other drugs. Liver function usually was improved or returned to normal after the drug withdrawal. The patients who did not stop LEV had poor prognosis, and severe cases could lead to liver failure or death.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment experiences of Langerhans cell histocytosis (LCH) in skull.Methods:Sixteen patients with cranial LCH admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 were chosen in our study. Their clinical data, diagnosis and treatment procedures and prognoses were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 16 patients, there were 13 males and 3 females, aged from 1 to 31 years. The clinical manifestations included space-occupying lesions of the skull; and imaging showed bone destruction of the skull, with or without involvement of other bones or organs. All patients were pathologically confirmed to have LCH after surgical total resection of the lesions. Routine whole-body bone scanning was performed after surgery: one was found to have local abnormal metabolic activity and received local radiotherapy; 8 were combined with other bone or organ involvement, and received chemotherapy. All the patients were followed up for 1-5 years, and no recurrence was found, and no one died.Conclusion:Good prognosis can be achieved in cranial LCH patients accepted resection by giving additional treatment according to the results of postoperative reexamination and combination use of standardized radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Objective To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Chaihudaxiong mixture in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on a network pharmacology approach. Methods The effective ingredients and targets of Chaihudaxiong mixture were collected from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The targets’ names were standardized by Uniprot database. Genes associated with coronavirus were obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM, which were intersected with effective therapeutic targets. A "herbs-ingredients-targets" network was compiled and analyzed by Cytoscape 3.7.2. The protein-protein interaction of the targets was analyzed by String. The GO gene annotation and KEGG signaling pathway analysis were performed using related packages of the R software. Results A total of 165 active ingredients and 51 targets were collected. Further analysis revealed that the main active ingredients were β-sitosterol and 11 flavonoids. The core targets were CASP3, MAPK3, IL-6, MAPK8, IL-10, CXCL8, MAPK1 and IL-1B. A total of 1722 GO entries were obtained from the GO gene annotation (P<0.05), including 1612 entries for biological processes, 30 entries for cell composition, and 80 entries for molecular functions. 156 signaling pathways (P<0.05) were obtained with KEGG signaling pathway screen. The important signaling pathways were AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complication, Influenza A, IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway and hepatitis B. Conclusion This study revealed the synergistic features of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway of Chaihudaxiong mixture in the treatment of COVID-19, which provided an important scientific basis for further understanding the mechanism of Chaihudaxiong mixture in the treatment of COVID-19.