This study aims to explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway in the mouse model of autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT) and the mechanism of BYD in alleviating the immune injury. Forty-eight NOD.H-2~(h4) mice were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose BYD, and selenium yeast tablets groups(n=8). Mice of 8 weeks old were treated with 0.05% sodium iodide solution for 8 weeks for the modeling of AIT and then administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks before sampling. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the astragaloside Ⅳ content in BYD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the mouse thyroid tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was employed to detect the distribution of T cell subsets in the spleen. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3). Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of markers related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the thyroid tissue. The results showed that the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in BYD was(7.06±0.08) mg·mL~(-1). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed disrupted structures of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed intact epithelial cells, reduced lymphocyte infiltration, and lowered levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells, a decrease in the proportion of Th2 cells, and an increase in the IFN-γ level. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups presented decreased proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and lowered levels of IFN-γ, and the medium-dose BYD group showed an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. Compared with the normal group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3 and the protein levels of cGAS, p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed reduced levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3-positive products, down-regulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, and TBK1, and down-regulated protein levels of cGAS and p-STING. The high-dose BYD group showed down-regulations in the mRNA level of IRF3 and the protein levels of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. The above results indicate that BYD can repair the imbalance of T cell subsets, alleviate immune injury, and reduce thyroid lymphocyte infiltration in AIT mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/metabolism* ; Mice ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Humans ; Female ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of prophylactic phenytoin (PHT) or levetiracetam (LEV) on busulfan (BU) blood concentration in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: Pediatric patients conditioned with BU plus cyclophosphamide and fludarabine at the First People's Hospital of Chenzhou from September 2023 to February 2025 were retrospectively included. Patients were grouped by prophylactic antiepileptic regimen into PHT (n=24) and LEV (n=26). BU blood concentrations at the end of infusion (0 hour) and at 1, 2, and 4 hours post-infusion were compared between groups. RESULTS: At 0 hour post-infusion, BU blood concentrations did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05). At 1, 2, and 4 hours post-infusion, BU blood concentrations were higher in the LEV group than in the PHT group (P<0.05). The area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to ∞ (AUC_0-∞) was greater in the LEV group (P<0.001), and the attainment rate of AUC_0-∞ was higher in the LEV group than in the PHT group (73% vs 21%, P<0.001). No significant differences were observed between groups in time to hematopoietic engraftment or in the incidence of BU-related adverse drug reactions (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with PHT, LEV prophylaxis is associated with higher BU blood concentration and a higher AUC_0-∞ attainment rate. There is no observed difference in BU efficacy or safety between PHT and LEV.
Humans ; Levetiracetam/therapeutic use* ; Busulfan/pharmacokinetics* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Phenytoin/pharmacology* ; Infant ; Retrospective Studies ; Anticonvulsants/pharmacology* ; Adolescent

Pyroptosis is an identified programmed cell death that has been highly linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamics. However, the crucial proteins for modulating dynamic ER membrane curvature change that trigger pyroptosis are currently not well understood. In this study, a biotin-labeled chemical probe of potent pyroptosis inducer α-mangostin (α-MG) was synthesized. Through protein microarray analysis, reticulon-4 (RTN4/Nogo), a crucial regulator of ER membrane curvature, was identified as a target of α-MG. We observed that chemically induced proteasome degradation of RTN4 by α-MG through recruiting E3 ligase UBR5 significantly enhances the pyroptosis phenotype in cancer cells. Interestingly, the downregulation of RTN4 expression significantly facilitated a dynamic remodeling of ER membrane curvature through a transition from tubules to sheets, consequently leading to rapid fusion of the ER with the cell plasma membrane. In particular, the ER-to-plasma membrane fusion process is supported by the observed translocation of several crucial ER markers to the "bubble" structures of pyroptotic cells. Furthermore, α-MG-induced RTN4 knockdown leads to pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-dependent conventional caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME) cleavages for pyroptosis progression. In vivo, we observed that chemical or genetic RTN4 knockdown significantly inhibited cancer cells growth, which further exhibited an antitumor immune response with anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1). In translational research, RTN4 high expression was closely correlated with the tumor metastasis and death of patients. Taken together, RTN4 plays a fundamental role in inducing pyroptosis through the modulation of ER membrane curvature remodeling, thus representing a prospective druggable target for anticancer immunotherapy.
Pyroptosis/immunology* ; Humans ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/immunology* ; Animals ; Nogo Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Xanthones/pharmacology* ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mice, Nude

Objective To explore the role of mitochondrial autophagy in ovarian inflammation associated with poly-cystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)based on the NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3)pathway.Methods Human ovarian granulosa cell line SVOG was treated with 25 nmol/L dihydrotestosterone(DHT)for 24 h to establish PCOS cell model.SVOG cells were transfected with adenovirus carrying NLRP3(Ad-NLRP3)and negative vector(Ad-EV)or NLRP3 shRNA(sh-NLRP3)and negative control(sh-NC)to overex-press or knockdown NLRP3.Mito-Tracker staining and GFP-LC3 staining were used to evaluate mitochondrial auto-phagy in cells.TUNEL staining,JC-1 staining and Mito-SOX staining were used to analyze the apoptosis,mito-chondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial-derived superoxide production.32 female BALB/c mice were ran-domly divided into three groups:control(Con)group,DHEA group,DHEA+sh-NC group and DHEA+sh-NL-RP3 group,with 8 mice in each group.Except the control group,all other groups treated mice with dehydroepi-androsterone(DHEA)to establish PCOS mouse model.DHEA+sh-NLRP3 group and DHEA+sh-NC group were administrated with sh-NLRP3 or sh-NC encapsulated in lentivirus at a concentration of 1 x 109 TU/ml via tail vein injection.The ultrastructure of mitochondria in ovarian tissue of mice in each group was observed by transmission e-lectron microscope.Results Compared with DHT+sh-NC group,the level of NLRP3 of SVOG cells in DHT+sh-NLRP3 group decreased(P＜0.05).The co-location of GFP-LC3 and mitochondria in SVOG cells in DHT+sh-NLRP3 group was higher than that in DHT+sh-NC group(P＜0.05).Compared with DHT+sh-NC group,the number of TUNEL positive cells and Mito-SOX fluorescence density of SVOG cells in DHT+sh-NLRP3 group de-creased,and the ratio of polymer JC-1 to monomer JC-1 increased(P＜0.05).Compared with Con+Ad-EV group,the level of NLRP3,the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the fluorescence density of mito-SVOG in Con+Ad-NLRP3 group increased(P＜0.05),and the co-location level of GFP-LC3 and mitochondria decreased;the ratio of polymer JC-1 to monomer JC-1 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,TUNEL positive cells,relative ROS intensity and percentage of damaged mitochondria in the ovarian tissue of mice in DHEA group increased(P＜0.05).Compared with DHEA+sh-NC group,TUNEL positive cells,relative ROS intensity and percentage of damaged mitochondria in DHEA+SH-NLRP group decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy induced by activation of NLRP3 leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and promotes mito-chondrial-related apoptosis in GCs.Knockdown of NLRP3 is beneficial to mitochondrial homeostasis and improves the resistance of GCs to oxidative stress injury,thus promoting the recovery of PCOS.

Purpose To elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics of primary malignant giant cell tumor of bone(PMGCTB)with mainly osteosarcoma-like morphology.Meth-ods Clinicopathologic features of 7 cases of PMGCTB were ret-rospectively analyzed.Results Among 7 patients with PMGCTB,there were 4 females and 3 males,aged between 9 and 66 years(mean age 39.5 years,median age 35 years).The distal femur emerged as the most frequent site to be involved(3/6).The main clinical manifestations included pain and swelling at the original site of the tumor.Radiological findings indicated osteolytic lesions,often combined with sclerotic areas;most ca-ses showed cortical bone destruction and soft tissue masses(5/7).Histologically,the majority of tumors exhibited typical mor-phological features of osteosarcoma with a few or without osteo-clast-like multinucleated giant cells.Positive immunoreaction with H3F3A G34W was confirmed in 6 cases and with H3F3A G34V in 1 case.SATB2 and p63 were positive in all cases,p53 was proved to be wild type,the Ki67 proliferation index ranged approximately from 10％to 50％.H3F3A p.G34W mutation was detected in 6 cases and only 1 case harboring H3F3A p.G34V mutation.Conclusion PMGCTB is exceedingly rare and difficult for accurate diagnosis,especially for those with atypical morphological features.A comprehensive analysis involving ra-diological,immunophenotypic,and molecular detection is neces-sary to rule out other high-grade sarcomas.

Aim To investigate the changes in the proliferation and apoptosis of Siha cells after knocking down Rho GTPase-activating protein 30(ARHGAP30).Methods After designing specific shARHGAP30 primers and connecting them to the pLKO.1 vector,we transformed them into Escherichia coli competent cells,then co-transfecting them with lentiviral helper plasmids into HEK-293T cells.We collected and filtered cell supernatant to obtain the vi-rus to infect Siha cells.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect knockdown efficiency,as well as changes in the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 after trans-fection.The CCK-8 method was employed to measure the proliferation level of cells after knockdown.Results After successful construction of a lentiviral plasmid with knockdown of the ARHGAP30 gene and establish-ment of stably transfected Siha cells,ARHGAP30 tran-scription and translation(P＜0.01)in Siha cells de-creased,Bax/Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P＜0.01),indicating decreased apoptosis and increased cell proliferation(P＜0.01).Conclusions This study suggests the involvement of ARHGAP30 in the proliferation and apoptosis of Siha cells,and regulating the ARHGAP30 gene may interfere with the occurrence and development of cervical cancer.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sertraline hydrochloride combined with compound chamomile lidocaine gel in the treatment of premature ejaculation(PE).Methods:We selected 80 cases of PE treated in our hospital from June 2021 to May 2023 and equally randomized them into a control and an observation group,the former medicated with compound chamomile lidocaine gel while the latter with sertraline hydrochloride in addition,both for 6 weeks.We recorded and compared the intravaginal ejaculation latency time(IELT),the number of successful sexual intercourses per week,the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool(PEDT)scores,and the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups of patients.Results:After the treatment,the IELT was signif-icantly longer([5.39±1.17]vs[2.49±0.73]min,P＜0.05),the weekly number of successful sexual intercourses remarkably higher(1.82±0.45 vs 0.93±0.19,P＜0.05)and the PEDT scores markedly lower(7.42±2.04 vs 9.85±2.36,P＜0.05)in the observation than in the control group,but no statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline PEDT scores or the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Sertraline hydrochloride combined with com-pound chamomile lidocaine gel is definitely effective in the treatment of PE,which can significantly improve the patients'quality of sexual life,with a high safety and low incidence of adverse reactions.

A precursor ion selection (PIS) based ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) analytical method was used to screen the chemical components in Jiawei Dingzhi pills (JWDZP) comprehensively and rapidly. To compile the components of the compound medicine, a total of 1 921 components were found utilizing online databases and literature. After verifying the sources, unifying the component names, merging the multi-flavor attributed components, and removing the weak polar molecules, 450 components were successfully retained. The Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) was used, with a 0.1% formic acid water (A)-acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.35 mL·min^-1, the column temperature was 35 ℃, and an electrospray ion source was used. Data was collected with the PIS strategy in both positive and negative ion modes. Compounds were screened through matching accurate molecular weight of the database, and identified according to MS/MS data (characteristic fragment ions and neutral loss), with comparison of reference. Some compounds were confirmed using standard products. A total of 176 compounds were screened out in the extract of JWDZP, among which 26 compounds were confirmed by standard products. These compounds include 96 components from the sovereign drug, and 34 coefflux components with low ion intensity. The PIS-UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method established in this study can quickly and comprehensively screen the chemical components of JWDZP, which enhanced the screening rate of components with co-elution compounds of low ion intensities and provided a basis for the study of the material foundation of JWDZP.

Objective:To analyze the intrauterine ultrasound manifestations and postnatal follow-up outcomes of fetuses with 2q13 microdeletion.Methods:This retrospective study involved 23 cases of 2q13 microdeletion, diagnosed via amniotic fluid chromosome karyotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism-array (SNP-array) following amniocentesis, between January 1, 2018, and September 1, 2022, at Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to prenatal diagnostic indications, intrauterine ultrasound findings, prenatal diagnosis results, and postnatal follow-up outcomes.Results:(1) The prenatal diagnostic indications for the 23 cases of 2q13 microdeletion included seven cases (30.4%) of high-risk serological screening, six cases (26.1%) of increased nuchal translucency (NT), two cases (8.7%) of fetal heart defects, two cases (8.7%) of advanced maternal age, two cases (8.7%) of fetal choroid plexus cysts (one of which was also associated with high-risk serological screening), one case (4.3%) of suboptimal fetal nasal bone fusion, one case (4.3%) of non-invasive prenatal testing suggesting chromosomal abnormalities, one case (4.3%) of fetal obstructive polycystic kidneys, one case (4.3%) of fetal subependymal cysts, and one case (4.3%) of fetal growth restriction. (2) Intrauterine ultrasound findings included six cases (26.1%) of NT thickening, four cases (17.4%) of intrauterine growth restriction, two cases (8.7%) of fetal heart defects, two cases (8.7%) of choroid plexus cysts, one case (4.3%) of oligohydramnios, one case (4.3%) of suboptimal fetal nasal bone fusion, one case (4.3%) of short long bones in the fetus, one case (4.3%) of polyhydramnios with large fetal abdominal circumference, one case (4.3%) of large fetal abdominal circumference, short long bones, and subependymal cysts of the brain ventricles, and one case (4.3%) of fetal obstructive polycystic kidneys; the remaining six cases (26.1%) showed no abnormal ultrasound findings. (3) Chromosome karyotyping revealed three cases of chromosomal structural abnormalities, one case of sex chromosome numerical abnormalities, and the remaining 19 cases showed no abnormalities. Amniotic fluid SNP-array results indicated deletions ranging from 104 to 1 745 kb. Parental verification was performed in ten cases, showing maternal inheritance in four cases, paternal inheritance in five, and one case of a de novo mutation. (4) Four cases (17.4%) opted for pregnancy termination, while 19 cases (82.6%) resulted in live births. The 19 live-born children underwent telephone and child health follow-up, with ages at follow-up being 3 years (ranging from 9 to 58.8 months). Apart from two cases that did not undergo newborn congenital heart disease screening, the remaining 17 surviving infants were screened without any abnormalities. Five cases had abnormal growth and development during follow-up: one 18-month-old with mild language developmental delay, one 3-year-old plus 26 days with mild language developmental delay, one 18-month-old with language developmental delay, one 3-year-old with astigmatism, and one 30-month-old with refractive error in both eyes during a physical examination; the other 14 children showed no significant abnormalities in growth and development. Conclusions:The intrauterine ultrasound manifestations of fetuses with 2q13 microdeletion are non-specific, and most of them are inherited from their parents. Postnatal follow-up should pay attention to the development of the nervous system of children.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinicopathological features, molecular changes and prognostic factors in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). METHODS: Sixty-one cases AITL diagnosed by Department of Pathology of Peking University Cancer Hospital were collected with their clinical data. Morphologically, they were classified as typeⅠ[lymphoid tissue reactive hyperplasia (LRH) like]; typeⅡ[marginal zone lymphoma(MZL)like] and type Ⅲ [peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not specified (PTCL-NOS) like]. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate the presence of follicular helper T-cell (TFH) phenotype, proliferation of extra germinal center (GC) follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), presence of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS)-like cells and large B transformation. The density of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) + cells was counted with slides stained by Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization on high power field (HPF). T-cell receptor / immunoglobulin gene (TCR/IG) clonality and targeted exome sequencing (TES) test were performed when necessary. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Morphological subtype (%): 11.4% (7/61) cases were classified as type Ⅰ; 50.8% (31/61) as type Ⅱ; 37.8% (23/61) as type Ⅲ. 83.6% (51/61) cases showed classical TFH immunophenotype. With variable extra-GC FDC meshwork proliferation (median 20.0%); 23.0% (14/61) had HRS-like cells; 11.5% (7/61) with large B transformation. 42.6% (26/61) of cases with high counts of EBV. 57.9% (11/19) TCR⁺/IG^-, 26.3% (5/19) TCR⁺/IG⁺, 10.5% (2/19) were TCR^－/IG^－, and 5.3% (1/19) TCR^－/IG⁺. Mutation frequencies by TES were 66.7% (20/30) for RHOA, 23.3% (7/30) for IDH2 mutation, 80.0% (24/30) for TET2 mutation, and 33.3% (10/30) DNMT3A mutation. Integrated analysis divided into four groups: (1) IDH2 and RHOA co-mutation group (7 cases): 6 cases were type Ⅱ, 1 case was type Ⅲ; all with typical TFH phenotype; HRS-like cells and large B transformation were not found; (2) RHOA single mutation group (13 cases): 1 case was type Ⅰ, 6 cases were type Ⅱ, 6 cases were type Ⅲ; 5 cases without typical TFH phenotype; 6 cases had HRS-like cells, and 2 cases with large B transformation. Atypically, 1 case showed TCR^－/IG^－, 1 case with TCR^－/IG⁺, and 1 case with TCR⁺/IG⁺; (3) TET2 and/or DNMT3A mutation alone group (7 cases): 3 cases were type Ⅱ, 4 cases were type Ⅲ, all cases were found with typical TFH phenotype; 2 cases had HRS-like cells, 2 cases with large B transformation, and atypically; (4) non-mutation group (3 cases), all were type Ⅱ, with typical TFH phenotype, with significant extra-GC FDC proliferation, without HRS-like cells and large B transformation. Atypically, 1 case was TCR^－/IG^－. Univariate analysis confirmed that higher density of EBV positive cell was independent adverse prognostic factors for both overall survival (OS) and progression free survival(PFS), (P=0.017 and P=0.046). CONCLUSION Pathological diagnoses of ALTL cases with HRS-like cells, large B transformation or type Ⅰ are difficult. Although TCR/IG gene rearrangement test is helpful but still with limitation. TES involving RHOA, IDH2, TET2, DNMT3A can robustly assist in the differential diagnosis of those difficult cases. Higher density of EBV positive cells counts in tumor tissue might be an indicator for poor survival.
Humans ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/genetics* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/pathology* ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy/pathology* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell