1.Clinical and genetic characteristics of X-linked intellectual disability associated with HUWE1 gene variants
Xiao LI ; Huan GONG ; Zheng CHEN ; Xianhe JIANG ; Zhibin LI ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Lin LI ; Hao CHEN ; Jing GUAN ; Lina KONG ; Kaixian DU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1360-1365
Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of X-linked intellectual disability associated with HUWE1 gene variants.Methods:A cases series study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 6 children with HUWE1 gene variants. The children were identified from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center of Guangzhou Medical University between April 2021 and July 2023.The data included sex, age, dysmorphic features, intellectual and motor development, seizure history, neuroimaging findings, family history, and genetic results was analyzed.Results:A total of 6 children, including 5 boys and 1 girl. The age of onset ranged from 1 day to 3 years. All children presented with varying degrees of intellectual disability, with or without motor developmental delay. Dysmorphic features were observed in 4 children, including microcephaly in 3 children. Short stature were observed in 3 children. One child was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and 1 child had seizures. Two boys had relevant maternal family histories of febrile seizures and mild intellectual disability, respectively. Abnormal neuroimaging findings were presented in 4 children, including cerebral dysplasia (1 child), prominent supratentorial ventricles (1 child), and mild white matter demyelination (2 children). Whole-exome sequencing identified 5 missense variants and 1 in-frame deletion variant. Five variants were novel and previously unreported (c.12290C>T, c.12701T>C, c.9875C>T, c.9641A>T and c.10313_10315del). The variants in 4 boys were maternally inherited, while the remaining 2 children had de novo variants. The child with the in-frame deletion variant (c.10313_10315del) presented with the most severe phenotype, exhibiting symptoms from 1 day of age, absent cognitive development, feeding difficulties, and congenital laryngeal chondrodysplasia. He was lost to follow-up at 3 months of age after treatment was withdrawn. The age at the last follow-up for the remaining 5 children ranged from 2 years and 10 months to 17 years. A boy with seizures died at 2 years and 10 months of age. The remaining 4 children were able to walk independently at the last follow-up, although their developmental progress was slow. Conclusions:HUWE1 gene related X-linked intellectual disability is characterized by varying degrees of developmental delay and intellectual disability, frequently accompanied by microcephaly, short stature, and occasionally by seizures and autism spectrum disorders. Missense variants are more common and the in-frame deletion variant appears to be associated with a particularly severe phenotypic presentation.
2.Augmentation of PRDX1-DOK3 interaction alleviates rheumatoid arthritis progression by suppressing plasma cell differentiation.
Wenzhen DANG ; Xiaomin WANG ; Huaying LI ; Yixuan XU ; Xinyu LI ; Siqi HUANG ; Hongru TAO ; Xiao LI ; Yulin YANG ; Lijiang XUAN ; Weilie XIAO ; Dean GUO ; Hao ZHANG ; Qiong WU ; Jie ZHENG ; Xiaoyan SHEN ; Kaixian CHEN ; Heng XU ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Cheng LUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):3997-4013
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage, accompanied by the accumulation of plasma cells, which contributes to its pathogenesis. Understanding the genetic alterations occurring during plasma cell differentiation in RA can deepen our comprehension of its pathogenesis and guide the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, our study elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying plasma cell differentiation by demonstrating that PRDX1 interacts with DOK3 and modulates its degradation by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This interaction results in the inhibition of plasma cell differentiation, thereby alleviating the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. Additionally, our investigation identifies Salvianolic acid B (SAB) as a potent small molecular glue-like compound that enhances the interaction between PRDX1 and DOK3, consequently impeding the progression of collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting plasma cell differentiation. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of developing chemical stabilizers for the PRDX1-DOK3 complex in suppressing plasma cell differentiation for RA treatment and establish a theoretical basis for targeting PRDX1-protein interactions as specific therapeutic targets in various diseases.
3.Efficacy of combined magnetic-electrical stimulation,intelligent exercise prescription,and novel matrix radiofrequency therapy in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse
Xuemei LIU ; Kaixian DENG ; Jianhao LIANG ; Yanqiu LIANG ; Chunying HE ; Cuiling CHEN ; Qing ZENG ; Guozhi HUANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(20):3198-3205
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of combined magnetic and electrical stimulation with an"intelligent exercise prescription"and novel matrix radiofrequency therapy in patients with pelvic organ prolapse(POP).Methods A total of 158 patients with POP who received treatment at the Gynecological Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Center of the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University between October 2022 and July 2025 were retrospectively enrolled and divided into an observation group(n=64)and a control group(n=94)based on their treatment plans.The control group underwent magnetic and electrical stimulation combined with an"intelligent exercise prescription"regimen.Specifically,patients received 10 sessions of electrical stimulation,5 sessions of magnetic stimulation,and performed 15~20 minutes of daily home exercise training guided by the"intelligent exercise prescription."The observation group received,in addition to the aforementioned treatments,four sessions of novel matrix radiofrequency therapy.Changes in the muscle strength grades of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ pelvic floor muscles,Glazer surface electromyography(EMG)values,and POP-Q staging were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results After treatment,both groups demonstrated significant improvements in type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ muscle fiber strength compared to baseline(all P<0.05),with the observation group showing greater improvement in type Ⅰ muscle fiber strength than the control group(P<0.05).The muscle potential values of the observation group during rapid contraction,tense contraction,and endurance contraction stages were markedly increased compared to pre-treatment levels.Moreover,the muscle potential values during the pre-resting stage were significantly reduced after treatment(P<0.05).In the observation group,POP-Q grades of the anterior vaginal wall,uterus,and posterior vaginal wall were all significantly lower post-treatment than pre-treatment(all P<0.05).However,no statistically significant differences were observed between the observation group and the control group in these parameters(P>0.05).Both groups exhibited relatively high compliance rates(both≥75.0%),with no significant difference between them(P>0.05).The treatment cost for the observation group was significantly higher than that for the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions The combination of magneto-electrical stimulation,an"intelligent exercise prescription,"and novel matrix radiofrequency therapy can significantly improve pelvic floor muscle strength and muscle potential values in the short term,compared to pre-treatment levels.This integrated approach also effectively alleviates the prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall,uterus,and posterior vaginal wall.Furthermore,the combination of magnetic and electrical stimulation,"intelligent exercise prescription,"and matrix radiofrequency therapy demonstrates superior efficacy in enhancing type Ⅰ pelvic floor muscle fiber strength when compared to the combination of magnetic and electrical stimulation with"intelligent exercise prescription"alone.However,this treatment protocol entails a relatively high economic burden,and its clinical application should be carefully evaluated in consideration of patients'functional needs and financial conditions.
4.Efficacy of combined magnetic-electrical stimulation,intelligent exercise prescription,and novel matrix radiofrequency therapy in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse
Xuemei LIU ; Kaixian DENG ; Jianhao LIANG ; Yanqiu LIANG ; Chunying HE ; Cuiling CHEN ; Qing ZENG ; Guozhi HUANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(20):3198-3205
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of combined magnetic and electrical stimulation with an"intelligent exercise prescription"and novel matrix radiofrequency therapy in patients with pelvic organ prolapse(POP).Methods A total of 158 patients with POP who received treatment at the Gynecological Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Center of the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University between October 2022 and July 2025 were retrospectively enrolled and divided into an observation group(n=64)and a control group(n=94)based on their treatment plans.The control group underwent magnetic and electrical stimulation combined with an"intelligent exercise prescription"regimen.Specifically,patients received 10 sessions of electrical stimulation,5 sessions of magnetic stimulation,and performed 15~20 minutes of daily home exercise training guided by the"intelligent exercise prescription."The observation group received,in addition to the aforementioned treatments,four sessions of novel matrix radiofrequency therapy.Changes in the muscle strength grades of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ pelvic floor muscles,Glazer surface electromyography(EMG)values,and POP-Q staging were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results After treatment,both groups demonstrated significant improvements in type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ muscle fiber strength compared to baseline(all P<0.05),with the observation group showing greater improvement in type Ⅰ muscle fiber strength than the control group(P<0.05).The muscle potential values of the observation group during rapid contraction,tense contraction,and endurance contraction stages were markedly increased compared to pre-treatment levels.Moreover,the muscle potential values during the pre-resting stage were significantly reduced after treatment(P<0.05).In the observation group,POP-Q grades of the anterior vaginal wall,uterus,and posterior vaginal wall were all significantly lower post-treatment than pre-treatment(all P<0.05).However,no statistically significant differences were observed between the observation group and the control group in these parameters(P>0.05).Both groups exhibited relatively high compliance rates(both≥75.0%),with no significant difference between them(P>0.05).The treatment cost for the observation group was significantly higher than that for the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions The combination of magneto-electrical stimulation,an"intelligent exercise prescription,"and novel matrix radiofrequency therapy can significantly improve pelvic floor muscle strength and muscle potential values in the short term,compared to pre-treatment levels.This integrated approach also effectively alleviates the prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall,uterus,and posterior vaginal wall.Furthermore,the combination of magnetic and electrical stimulation,"intelligent exercise prescription,"and matrix radiofrequency therapy demonstrates superior efficacy in enhancing type Ⅰ pelvic floor muscle fiber strength when compared to the combination of magnetic and electrical stimulation with"intelligent exercise prescription"alone.However,this treatment protocol entails a relatively high economic burden,and its clinical application should be carefully evaluated in consideration of patients'functional needs and financial conditions.
5.Clinical and genetic characteristics of X-linked intellectual disability associated with HUWE1 gene variants
Xiao LI ; Huan GONG ; Zheng CHEN ; Xianhe JIANG ; Zhibin LI ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Lin LI ; Hao CHEN ; Jing GUAN ; Lina KONG ; Kaixian DU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1360-1365
Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of X-linked intellectual disability associated with HUWE1 gene variants.Methods:A cases series study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 6 children with HUWE1 gene variants. The children were identified from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center of Guangzhou Medical University between April 2021 and July 2023.The data included sex, age, dysmorphic features, intellectual and motor development, seizure history, neuroimaging findings, family history, and genetic results was analyzed.Results:A total of 6 children, including 5 boys and 1 girl. The age of onset ranged from 1 day to 3 years. All children presented with varying degrees of intellectual disability, with or without motor developmental delay. Dysmorphic features were observed in 4 children, including microcephaly in 3 children. Short stature were observed in 3 children. One child was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and 1 child had seizures. Two boys had relevant maternal family histories of febrile seizures and mild intellectual disability, respectively. Abnormal neuroimaging findings were presented in 4 children, including cerebral dysplasia (1 child), prominent supratentorial ventricles (1 child), and mild white matter demyelination (2 children). Whole-exome sequencing identified 5 missense variants and 1 in-frame deletion variant. Five variants were novel and previously unreported (c.12290C>T, c.12701T>C, c.9875C>T, c.9641A>T and c.10313_10315del). The variants in 4 boys were maternally inherited, while the remaining 2 children had de novo variants. The child with the in-frame deletion variant (c.10313_10315del) presented with the most severe phenotype, exhibiting symptoms from 1 day of age, absent cognitive development, feeding difficulties, and congenital laryngeal chondrodysplasia. He was lost to follow-up at 3 months of age after treatment was withdrawn. The age at the last follow-up for the remaining 5 children ranged from 2 years and 10 months to 17 years. A boy with seizures died at 2 years and 10 months of age. The remaining 4 children were able to walk independently at the last follow-up, although their developmental progress was slow. Conclusions:HUWE1 gene related X-linked intellectual disability is characterized by varying degrees of developmental delay and intellectual disability, frequently accompanied by microcephaly, short stature, and occasionally by seizures and autism spectrum disorders. Missense variants are more common and the in-frame deletion variant appears to be associated with a particularly severe phenotypic presentation.
6.Remarkable Research Achievements in Traditional Chinese Medicine During New Era (2012—2022)
Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Xianghong HE ; Liangzhen YOU ; Junfeng CHEN ; Jun MA ; Guochen WANG ; Kaixian CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):1-10
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a continuous stream of scientific and technological innovations has unfolded in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). With the aim of implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, and the Opinions on Promoting the Inheritance, Innovation and Development of TCM, and to underscore the exemplary role of significant scientific and technological achievements, the China Association of Chinese Medicine, in alignment with relevant requirements and under the guidance of authoritative experts, has organized a comprehensive review of the important scientific and technological achievements in the field of TCM since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. Through rigorous procedures, including collecting and reviewing achievements, writing achievement reports, organizing expert reviews, and seeking public opinions, remarkable research achievements in TCM during 2012—2022 were compiled.
7.Research progress of cGAS-STING signaling pathway modulators in immunotherapy
Fangning LOU ; Mingyue ZHENG ; Kaixian CHEN ; Sulin ZHANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2024;55(1):15-25
Abstract: Upon monitoring cytoplasmic aberrant double-stranded DNA, cGAS-STING signaling pathway induces the expression of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which activates the host immune response and enhances anti-tumor immune response and resistance to pathogen infection. However, sustained activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway drives diseases such as autoimmune diseases, aging-associated inflammation, and neurodegenerative pathologies. Herein, we describe the mechanism by which cGAS-STING signaling pathway participates in regulating the development of various immune-related diseases, with a particular review of the research and development progress of STING agonists, cGAS inhibitors, and STING inhibitors, aiming to provide some theoretical reference for the future development of cGAS-STING modulators.
8.Transfer learning enhanced graph neural network for aldehyde oxidase metabolism prediction and its experimental application.
Jiacheng XIONG ; Rongrong CUI ; Zhaojun LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Runze ZHANG ; Zunyun FU ; Xiaohong LIU ; Zhenghao LI ; Kaixian CHEN ; Mingyue ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):623-634
Aldehyde oxidase (AOX) is a molybdoenzyme that is primarily expressed in the liver and is involved in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. AOX-mediated metabolism can result in unexpected outcomes, such as the production of toxic metabolites and high metabolic clearance, which can lead to the clinical failure of novel therapeutic agents. Computational models can assist medicinal chemists in rapidly evaluating the AOX metabolic risk of compounds during the early phases of drug discovery and provide valuable clues for manipulating AOX-mediated metabolism liability. In this study, we developed a novel graph neural network called AOMP for predicting AOX-mediated metabolism. AOMP integrated the tasks of metabolic substrate/non-substrate classification and metabolic site prediction, while utilizing transfer learning from 13C nuclear magnetic resonance data to enhance its performance on both tasks. AOMP significantly outperformed the benchmark methods in both cross-validation and external testing. Using AOMP, we systematically assessed the AOX-mediated metabolism of common fragments in kinase inhibitors and successfully identified four new scaffolds with AOX metabolism liability, which were validated through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, for the convenience of the community, we established the first online service for AOX metabolism prediction based on AOMP, which is freely available at https://aomp.alphama.com.cn.
9.Epimedin B exhibits pigmentation by increasing tyrosinase family proteins expression,activity,and stability
Chen HONG ; Yifan ZHANG ; Lili YANG ; Haoyang XU ; Kang CHENG ; Zhi LV ; Kaixian CHEN ; Yiming LI ; Huali WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(1):69-85
Epimedin B(EB)is one of the main flavonoid ingredients present in Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.,a traditional herb widely used in China.Our previous study showed that EB was a stronger inducer of melanogenesis and an activator of tyrosinase(TYR).However,the role of EB in melanogenesis and the mechanism underlying the regulation remain unclear.Herein,as an extension to our previous investi-gation,we provide comprehensive evidence of EB-induced pigmentation in vivo and in vitro and eluci-date the melanogenesis mechanism by assessing its effects on the TYR family of proteins(TYRs)in terms of expression,activity,and stability.The results showed that EB increased TYRs expression through microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-mediated p-Akt(referred to as protein kinase B(PKB))/glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)/β-catenin,p-p70 S6 kinase cascades,and protein 38(p38)/mitogen-activated protein(MAP)kinase(MAPK)and extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)/MAPK pathways,after which EB increased the number of melanosomes and promoted their maturation for melanogenesis in melanoma cells and human primary melanocytes/skin tissues.Furthermore,EB exerted repigmentation by stimulating TYR activity in hydroquinone-and N-phenylthiourea-induced TYR inhibitive models,including melanoma cells,zebrafish,and mice.Finally,EB ameliorated monobenzone-induced depigmentation in vitro and in vivo through the enhancement of TYRs stability by inhibiting TYR misfolding,TYR-related protein 1 formation,and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum and then by downregulating the ubiquitination and proteolysis processes.These data conclude that EB can target TYRs and alter their expression,activity,and stability,thus stimulating their pigmentation function,which might provide a novel rational strategy for hypopigmentation treatment in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
10.Targeted inhibition of Gus-expressing Enterococcus faecalis to promote intestinal stem cell and epithelial renovation contributes to the relief of irinotecan chemotoxicity by dehydrodiisoeugenol.
Ruiyang GAO ; Bei YUE ; Cheng LV ; Xiaolong GENG ; Zhilun YU ; Hao WANG ; Beibei ZHANG ; Fangbin AI ; Ziyi WANG ; Donghui LIU ; Zhengtao WANG ; Kaixian CHEN ; Wei DOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(12):5286-5304
Irinotecan (CPT11) chemotherapy-induced diarrhea affects a substantial cancer population due to β-glucuronidase (Gus) converting 10-O-glucuronyl-7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38G) to toxic 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38). Existing interventions primarily address inflammation and Gus enzyme inhibition, neglecting epithelial repair and Gus-expressing bacteria. Herein, we discovered that dehydrodiisoeugenol (DDIE), isolated from nutmeg, alleviates CPT11-induced intestinal mucositis alongside a synergistic antitumor effect with CPT11 by improving weight loss, colon shortening, epithelial barrier dysfunction, goblet cells and intestinal stem cells (ISCs) loss, and wound-healing. The anti-mucositis effect of DDIE is gut microbiota-dependent. Analysis of microbiome profiling data from clinical patients and CPT11-induced mucositis mice reveals a strong correlation between CPT11 chemotoxicity and Gus-expressing bacteria, particularly Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). DDIE counters CPT11-induced augmentation of E. faecalis, leading to decreased intestinal Gus and SN38 levels. The Partial Least Squares Path Model (PLS-PM) algorithm initially links E. faecalis to dysregulated epithelial renovation. This is further validated in a 3D intestinal organoid model, in which both SN38 and E. faecalis hinder the formation and differentiation of organoids. Interestingly, colonization of E. faecalis exacerbates CPT11-induced mucositis and disturbs epithelial differentiation. Our study unveils a microbiota-driven, epithelial reconstruction-mediated action of DDIE against mucositis, proposing the 'Gus bacteria-host-irinotecan axis' as a promising target for mitigating CPT11 chemotoxicity.

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