1.Clinical phenotypes and genetic analysis of five children with Lamb-Shaffer syndrome due to novel variants of SOX5 gene.
Ziyan ZHANG ; Yaxue XIE ; Ping PANG ; Qiyan LIU ; Zhichao LI ; Guang YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(1):13-18
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical phenotypes and genetic characteristics of five children with Lamb-Shaffer syndrome (LAMSHF).
METHODS:
Five children with LAMSHF diagnosed at the Department of Pediatrics, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 2021 to December 2024 were selected as study subjects. Clinical data of the children was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the children and their parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen for variants. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (Ethics No.: S2025-411-01).
RESULTS:
All five children had presented with global developmental delay. Among them, two had manifestations of autism spectrum disorder, two had abnormal electroencephalogram findings, four had abnormal MRI results, and two had ocular abnormalities. WES has detected five novel variants in the SOX5 gene. Among these, c.1771G>C (p.Gly591Arg) was unreported previously. Sanger sequencing confirmed that none of the parents had carried the same variants, suggesting that they were all de novo variants. According to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), two nonsense variants and one missense variant were classified as pathogenic, whilst two missense variants were classified as likely pathogenic.
CONCLUSION
This study has clarified the correlation between the clinical phenotypes of five children with LAMSHF and variants of the SOX5 gene, which expanded the mutational spectrum of the SOX5 gene and provided a basis for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Phenotype
;
Child, Preschool
;
Child
;
SOXD Transcription Factors/genetics*
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Exome Sequencing
;
Mutation
;
Infant
2.Proteomic Analysis of Danlou Tablet in Improving Platelet Function for Treating Coronary Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Intermingling Syndrome in Minipigs
Ziyan WANG ; Ying LI ; Aoao WANG ; Hongxu MENG ; Yue SHI ; Yanlei MA ; Guoyuan ZHANG ; Lei LI ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):41-53
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the role of Danlou tablet in treating coronary heart disease (CHD) with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs by improving platelet function and explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of Danlou tablet in regulating platelet function by using proteomics technology. MethodsThirty Bama minipigs were randomly divided into a normal control group (6 pigs) and a high-fat diet group (24 pigs). After 2 weeks of high-fat diet feeding, the high-fat diet group was randomly subdivided into a model group, an atorvastatin group (1 mg·kg-1), and Danlou tablet groups (0.6 g·kg-1 and 0.3 g·kg-1). All groups continued to receive a high-fat diet for 8 weeks after the procedure. The normal control group was given a regular diet, underwent only coronary angiography, and did not receive an interventional injury procedure. The model group and each administration group were fed a high-fat diet. Two weeks later, they underwent a coronary angiography injury procedure. After the procedure, drugs were mixed into the feed every morning for 8 consecutive weeks, with the minipigs maintained on a continuous high-fat diet during this period. Quantitative proteomics technology was further used to study platelet proteins, and differential proteins were obtained by screening. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze key regulatory proteins and biological pathways involved in the therapeutic effect of Danlou tablet on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed a significant increase in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of minipigs' serum (P<0.01), a significant shortening in prothrombin time of (PT) (P<0.01), a coagulation function index, and an increase in whole blood viscosity (P<0.01) and platelet aggregation rate (P<0.01). Moreover, the platelet morphology was altered, and the contents of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased (P<0.01). Hemodynamic parameters were obviously abnormal, including significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and left ventricular maximal positive dp/dt (LV+dp/dtmax) (P<0.01). Left ventricular maximal negative dp/dt (LV-dp/dtmax) was significantly increased (P<0.01). Besides, there were myocardial cell hypertrophy, obvious edematous degeneration, massive interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, high degree of fibrosis, and coronary endothelial atherosclerosis. TC and TG levels in minipigs' serum were significantly reduced in Danlou tablet groups with 0.6 g·kg-1 and 0.3 g·kg-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), compared with those in the model group. LDL-C was decreased in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 (P<0.05). The whole blood viscosity under low and high shear conditions was significantly reduced in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, maximum aggregation rate (MAR) and average aggregation rate (AAR) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and platelets' morphological changes such as pseudopodia extension were reduced. ET-1 levels in the serum were significantly reduced. In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1, NO level in the serum was reduced (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, DBP and MAP were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1, LVSP and LV+dp/dtmax were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and LV-dp/dtmax was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, edematous degeneration in myocardial tissue was milder, and coronary artery lesion degree was significantly alleviated. Compared with the normal control group, there were 94 differentially expressed proteins in the model group, including 81 up-regulated and 13 down-regulated proteins. Compared with the model group, the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 showed 174 differentially expressed proteins, including 100 up-regulated and 74 down-regulated proteins. A total of 30 proteins were reversed after Danlou tablet intervention. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that its pharmacological mechanism may exert anti-platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion effects through biological pathways such as regulation of actin cytoskeleton, platelet activation pathway, Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis, as well as proteins such as growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2), RAC1, and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1). ConclusionDanlou tablet can effectively reduce platelet activation and aggregation, exerting a good therapeutic effect on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs. Its pharmacological mechanism may involve regulating biological pathways such as actin cytoskeleton and platelet activation pathway, as well as proteins like GRB2, RAC2, RAC1, and HSP90AA1, thereby exerting a pharmacological effect in anti-platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion.
3.Effect and Mechanism of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus Lignans on Behavior of Schizophrenic Mice
Jiaqi LI ; Xi CHEN ; Siwei WANG ; Qi WANG ; Yiting LIU ; Ziyan GUO ; Zilong LUN ; Chengyi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):65-71
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans on schizophrenia induced by dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) in mice and to clarify its mechanism. MethodsMale mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomized into blank, model, positive drug, and low-, medium-, and high-dose (40, 80, 160 mg·kg-1, respectively) Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans groups. The blank group was administrated with distilled water, and the other groups were injected with 0.5 mg·kg-1 MK-801 to induce schizophrenia symptoms. Meanwhile, risperidone was injected at 0.2 mg·kg-1 in the positive drug group, and mice in the intervention groups were injected with corresponding drugs for 14 consecutive days. The behavioral changes of mice were observed by autonomous activity test, open field test, forced swimming test, and water maze test. The levels of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the brain and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in peripheral blood were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in the prefrontal lobe of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining. The protein levels of silencing information regulatory factor 1 (SIRT1) and forkhead box protein O3a (FoxO3a) in the hippocampus of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, low, medium, and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans reduced the total number of autonomous activities, total distance in the open field test, immobile time in the forced swimming test, and levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in peripheral blood (P<0.05), while increasing the number of platform crossings in the water maze test and DA and 5-HT levels in the brain tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, risperidone and low, medium, and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans improve the neural cell morphology in the CA1 region, with full cells in neatly dense arrangement and exhibiting clear membrane boundary. Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans inhibited the expression of SIRT 1 and FoxO3a in the hippocampus (P<0.05). ConclusionTo sum up, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans may improve the behavior of schizophrenic mice by activating the SIRT1/FoxO3a signaling pathway to exert neuroprotective effects.
4.Knockdown TMEM16B reduces brain edema and protects the blood-brain barrier after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Jingbin ZHANG ; Qian LIU ; Ziyan PAN ; Tianxi YAO ; Jiangwen YIN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):644-652
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of transmembrane protein 16B (TMEM16B) on brain edema and blood-brain barrier after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. MethodsTMEM16B overexpression and knockdown was performed by adeno-associated virus (AAV), and then adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Rats were randomly divided into Sham group, MCAO group, AAV no-load group, TMEM16B overexpression group and TMEM16B knockdown group. Modified neurological severity scores, adhesive removal test and cylinder test were used to evaluate neurologic function. The ultrastructure of ischemic brain tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope. Brain water content was reflected by dry wet weight ratio of brain tissue. The expressions of TMEM16B, aquaporin4 (AQP4), Claudin5 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were investigated by immunofluorescence and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the AAV no-load group, the sensory and motor functions of rats in TMEM16B overexpression group were significantly impaired. Mitochondria were swollen; mitochondrial cristae and tight junctions disappeared. The brain water content was higher in overexpression group. The expression of TMEM16B and AQP4 increased while the expression of Claudin5 and ZO-1 decreased (all P<0.05). Compared with the AAV no-load group, the rats in TMEM16B knockdown group showed some recovery in motor function. The mitochondrial cristae and structure were clear, and the basement membrane was partially blurred. The brain water content was lower in knockdown group. The protein levels of TMEM16B and AQP4 were lower while the levels of Claudin5 and ZO-1 were higher in TMEM16B knockdown group than in AAV no-load group (all P<0.05). ConclusionAn increase in TMEM16B expression aggravates brain edema and blood-brain barrier damage in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, while a decrease in TMEM16B expression alleviates brain edema and protects the blood-brain barrier.
5.Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics affect bacterial and fungal communities and their interactions: a review.
Xinyuan LIU ; Yue LI ; Ziyan WEI ; Zhujun WANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(10):3701-3718
The escalating pressure from global population growth, climate change, and resource consumption is intensifying the burden on traditional agricultural production. Against this backdrop, soil degradation and pollution present increasingly severe challenges, creating a vicious cycle with rising food demands. Maintaining soil health and its ecosystem services has thus become a critical prerequisite for achieving sustainable agriculture in the future. This review explores the impacts of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics on soil microbial communities and their interactions. Soil C and N are key determinants of microbial diversity and community structure, intrinsically linked to soil C/N cycling, crop productivity, and ecological balance. Environmental factors such as nitrogen fertilizer application, organic matter amendment application, litter decomposition, elevated CO2 concentrations, and nitrogen deposition significantly influence soil C and N dynamics. Changes in soil C and N content regulate microbial community dynamics and the synergistic, competitive, and antagonistic interactions among microorganisms. Meanwhile, microbial communities actively respond to alterations in soil C and N availability. The resulting shifts in microbial communities and their interactions subsequently regulate soil C/N cycling and ecosystem stability, ultimately influencing ecosystem functions. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying soil carbon-nitrogen-microbial interactions, this review significantly advances our understanding of soil ecosystem responses and feedback mechanisms in the context of global change, while also providing crucial practical guidance for enhancing soil fertility and promoting sustainable agricultural development through microbial regulation.
Soil Microbiology
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Nitrogen/metabolism*
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Carbon/metabolism*
;
Soil/chemistry*
;
Bacteria/growth & development*
;
Fungi/metabolism*
;
Ecosystem
;
Fertilizers
;
Agriculture
6.Association between the overuse of short-form video,inattention and school refusal behavior among junior high school students
Youdong LI ; Jianqiang WANG ; Ziyan WANG ; Jiuying LIU ; Jing LYU ; Yiran GE ; Yuru DU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(1):49-56
Objective:To explore the prominent manifestations and internal associations of the overuse of short-form videos,inattention,and school refusal behavior in junior high school students.Methods:A survey was conducted among 1 106 junior high school students,utilizing the Short-form Video APP Overuse Scale,the Inatten-tion subscale of the Swanson,Nolan,and Pelham Rating Scale(SNAP-Ⅳ),and the School Refusal Behavior Ques-tionnaire to assess the extent of short-form video overuse,inattention,and school refusal behavior.By using the R language for network analysis,the core nodes of individual networks and the bridge nodes connecting the combined networks were analyzed,and the structural differences in networks across genders and grades were compared.Re-sults:The core nodes of the network pertaining to overuse of short-form video,inattention,and school refusal behav-ior were"Using short videos enhances connection with others"(expected influence value=1.03),"easily distract-ed"(expected influence value=1.99),and"school alienation"(expected influence value=0.83).The bridge nodes in the combined network were"defiant behavior"(bridge expected influence value=0.69)and"difficulty sustaining mental activities"(bridge expected influence value=0.47).Analysis of network structure differences i-dentified that the core nodes within the combined networks of the first,second,and third grades of junior high school students were respectively"prioritizing short videos over other activities","defiant behavior",and"academic aptitude".Conclusion:Junior high school students exhibiting overuse of short videos,inattention,or school refusal behavior are characterized by enhanced social connectivity through platforms such as short video apps,a propensity for distraction,and feelings of school alienation,respectively.When these three behaviors coexist,the most salient related factor is oppositional behavior,coupled with difficulties in sustaining cognitive tasks and maintaining con-centration.
7.CMD-OPT model enables the discovery of a potent and selective RIPK2 inhibitor as preclinical candidate for the treatment of acute liver injury.
Yong CHEN ; Xue YUAN ; Wei YAN ; Yurong ZOU ; Haoche WEI ; Yuhan WEI ; Minghai TANG ; Yulian CHEN ; Ziyan MA ; Tao YANG ; Kongjun LIU ; Baojian XIONG ; Xiuying HU ; Jianhong YANG ; Lijuan CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3708-3724
Acute liver injury (ALI) serves as a critical precursor and major etiological factor in the progression and ultimate manifestation of various hepatic disorders. The prevention and treatment of ALI is still a serious global challenge. Given the limited therapeutic options for ALI, exploring novel targeted therapeutic agents becomes imperative. The potential therapeutic efficacy of inhibiting RIPK2 is highlighted, as it may provide significant benefits by attenuating the MAPK pathway and NF-κB signaling. Herein, we propose a CMD-OPT model, a two-stage molecular optimization tool for the rapid discovery of RIPK2 inhibitors with optimal properties. Compound RP20, which targets the ATP binding site, demonstrated excellent kinase specificity, ideal oral pharmacokinetics, and superior therapeutic effects in a model of APAP-induced ALI, positioning RP20 as a promising preclinical candidate. This marks the first application of RIPK2 inhibitors in ALI treatment, opening a novel therapeutic pathway for clinical applications. These results highlight the efficacy of the CMD-OPT model in producing lead compounds from known active molecules, showcasing its significant potential in drug discovery.
8.Research progress on epigenetic mechanisms in the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease using traditional Chinese medicine
Chiyang LI ; Rui LAN ; Hongyu LI ; Huijie YANG ; Chen TANG ; Shuang LIU ; Jieli YANG ; Yali ZHAN ; Ziyan FAN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(9):153-163
Parkinson's disease(PD)is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting the motor system.Various genetic factors and cellular mechanisms underlying PD have recently been discovered.Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications play a very important role in the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment of PD.Epigenetic modification mediates genetic and environmental interactions mainly through complex interactions of DNA methylation,histone modification,and non-coding RNA,thereby affecting expression in the absence of changes in DNA sequence.In this review,we summarize the epigenetic modification mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.In this review,we summarize the epigenetic modification mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.Recent studies have found that traditional Chinese medicine can participate in the regulation of abnormal epigenetic modifications in the treatment of PD.Traditional Chinese medicine benefits from its multi-level and multi-target regulatory effects,and various traditional Chinese medicine monomers,compound prescriptions,and techniques have been evaluated,confirming that this is a promising approach for improving symptoms in PD.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which epigenetic modifications contribute to P D,explores the role of traditional Chinese medicine,and provides new ideas for clinical treatment and drug development in PD through epigenetic intervention.
9.Comparison of automatic tube voltage modulation combined with an artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction algorithm versus conventional scanning protocol in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT
Wei DING ; Ziyan LIU ; Zepeng MA ; Tianle ZHANG ; Yongxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(7):692-698
Objective:To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT using automatic tube voltage modulation (ATVM) coupled with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) versus routine tube voltage combined with Karl-3D iterative reconstruction (Karl-3D IR), and to determine the optimal noise level for AIIR in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT.Methods:A total of 100 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT examination in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from April to October, 2023 were randomly divided into group A and group B using a random number table, with 50 patients in each group. Group A was scanned using ATVM, and images were reconstructed using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels. Group B was scanned using tube voltage 120 kVp and images were reconstructed with Karl-3D IR and noise level 5. The single-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), effective dose (E), and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were recorded or calculated for all patients or images. Subjective evaluations of all images were performed. The quality of the reconstructed images using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels were compared and the optimal noise level of AIIR for image reconstruction was determined. Image quality and radiation dose were statistically analyzed for Group A (image reconstruction with optimal AIIR noise level) and Group B.Results:The mean SNR and mean CNR of the reconstructed images using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 3 in group A were higher than those using AIIR with noise levels 4 and 5. The images reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 3 and 4 scored higher in subjective assessment than those reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 5. Therefore, noise level 3 was optimal for AIIR in reconstruction of contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images. The mean SNR, mean CNR, and subjective evaluation score of group A using AIIR with noise level 3 were higher than those of group B using Karl-3D IR with noise level 5 ( P<0.001). The mean SSDE and the mean E of group A were reduced by 46% and 41%, respectively, compared with those of group B. Conclusions:ATVM technology combined with the AIIR algorithm can improve image quality and reduced patient radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT. Noise level 3 is optimal for AIIR in the reconstruction of arterial-phase and venous-phase contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images.
10.Research progress on epigenetic mechanisms in the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease using traditional Chinese medicine
Chiyang LI ; Rui LAN ; Hongyu LI ; Huijie YANG ; Chen TANG ; Shuang LIU ; Jieli YANG ; Yali ZHAN ; Ziyan FAN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(9):153-163
Parkinson's disease(PD)is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting the motor system.Various genetic factors and cellular mechanisms underlying PD have recently been discovered.Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications play a very important role in the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment of PD.Epigenetic modification mediates genetic and environmental interactions mainly through complex interactions of DNA methylation,histone modification,and non-coding RNA,thereby affecting expression in the absence of changes in DNA sequence.In this review,we summarize the epigenetic modification mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.In this review,we summarize the epigenetic modification mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.Recent studies have found that traditional Chinese medicine can participate in the regulation of abnormal epigenetic modifications in the treatment of PD.Traditional Chinese medicine benefits from its multi-level and multi-target regulatory effects,and various traditional Chinese medicine monomers,compound prescriptions,and techniques have been evaluated,confirming that this is a promising approach for improving symptoms in PD.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which epigenetic modifications contribute to P D,explores the role of traditional Chinese medicine,and provides new ideas for clinical treatment and drug development in PD through epigenetic intervention.

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