Neutralizing antibodies have been designed to specifically target and bind to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike (S) protein to block severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus from attaching to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study reports a distinctive nanobody, designated as VHH21, that directly catalyzes the S-trimer into an irreversible transition state through postfusion conformational changes. Derived from camels immunized with multiple antigens, a set of nanobodies with high affinity for the S1 protein displays abilities to neutralize pseudovirion infections with a broad resistance to variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2, including SARS-CoV and BatRaTG13. Importantly, a super-resolution screening and analysis platform based on visual fluorescence probes was designed and applied to monitor single proteins and protein subunits. A spontaneously occurring dimeric form of VHH21 was obtained to rapidly destroy the S-trimer. Structural analysis via cryogenic electron microscopy revealed that VHH21 targets specific conserved epitopes on the S protein, distinct from the ACE2 binding site on the RBD, which destabilizes the fusion process. This research highlights the potential of VHH21 as an abzyme-like nanobody (nanoabzyme) possessing broad-spectrum binding capabilities and highly effective anti-viral properties and offers a promising strategy for combating coronavirus outbreaks.
Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology* ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism* ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; Animals ; Humans ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology* ; Camelus ; COVID-19/immunology* ; Antibodies, Viral/immunology* ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

The development of organ transplantation has brought new hope to many patients with organ failure and their families， but it has also raised numerous ethical issues. How to balance the rights and interests between organ donors and recipients， as well as ensure the fairness and transparency of the transplantation process has become an urgent problem to be solved. Based on the latest Regulations on Organ Donation and Transplantation and the Working Rules of the Ethics Committee for Human Organ Transplantation， the current difficulties and challenges in organ transplantation ethics were deeply analyzed. Taking the ethical review practice of Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital as an example， this paper explored issues such as full informed consent of both donors and recipients， risk assessment of marginal donors， and the review of relationships between donors and recipients. It also explored and constructed a set of complete ethical review models for organ transplantation through refined management. This model improved the efficiency and quality of ethical review as well as enriched the related knowledge system. It is expected that the implementation of this model can provide a reference for promoting effective ethical review nationwide， advancing the improvement and development of ethical review work in organ transplantation. Meanwhile， more medical ethics experts and practitioners are called upon to focus on and engage in the research and practice of ethical review in organ transplantation， jointly promoting progress in this field.

Objective To explore the effects of combined exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and high-fat diet on liver lipid metabolism and hepatocyte senescence in mice, and to elucidate the potential mechanisms of the onset and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Specific pathogen free C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups, with 10 mice with equal numbers of each sex in each group. The mice in the control group and the simple BPA group were fed with regular diet, while others four groups of mice were fed with high-fat diet. At the same time, the mice in the simple BPA group were intragastric administered with BPA at a dose of 50 μg/kg body weight, while the mice in the low-, medium- and high-dose BPA+high-fat groups were intragastric administered with BPA at doses of 5, 50 and 500 μg/kg body weight respectively. The mice in the control group and the high-fat group were intragastric administered with the same volume of corn oil once per day for 90 consecutive days. Liver tissues were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Oil Red O staining. Liver coefficients and lipid-stained area ratios were calculated. Serum level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relative expression of cholesterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), CCAAT enhancer binding protein α, P16, and phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) in liver tissues was detected using Western blotting. The interaction effect of the combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet was observed based on the result of mice in the control group, the simple high-fat group, the simple BPA group, and the medium-dose BPA group+high-fat group (the combined exposure group) using a 2×2 factorial design. The results of mice in the simple high-fat group and the low-, medium-, and high-dose BPA+high-fat groups were used to observe the effect of BPA exposure dose under high-fat diet conditions. Results i) The interactive effect of combined exposure to BPA and high fat. The HE and Oil Red O staining results indicated that the combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet successfully established NAFLD in mice. The interactive effect of combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet on serum ALT activity and the relative expression of P16 in the liver tissue of female mice, as well as the serum ALT and AST activities and the relative expression of SREBP1 in the liver tissue of male mice was significant (all P<0.05). Specifically, the serum ALT activity of male mice in the combined exposure group was higher than that in the simple high-fat group (P<0.05), while the ALT activity in the serum of female mice in the combined exposure group was lower than that in the simple BPA group (P<0.05). The relative expression of SREBP1 protein in the liver tissue of male mice in the combined exposure group was higher than that in the control group, the simple high-fat group, and the simple BPA group (all P<0.05). For the other indicators, there were no significant differences in the interactive effect of combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet (all P>0.05). ii) Dose effects of BPA exposure. The HE and Oil Red O staining result showed that the degree of vacuolar steatosis in the liver of female and male mice of medium- and high-dose BPA + high-fat groups was aggravated, and the range of inflammatory cell infiltration was expanded when compared with same-sex mice in the simple high-fat group. The serum ALT activity and the fat stained area ratio, as well as the relative expression of P16 in liver tissue of female mice in high-dose BPA + high-fat group increased (all P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 in liver tissue decreased (P<0.05), compared with the female mice in simple high-fat group. The serum ALT activity, the TNF-α level in liver tissue, and the relative expression of SREBP1, P16 and γ-H2AX proteins in liver tissue of male mice in high-dose BPA + high-fat group increased (all P<0.05), while the IL-6 level in liver tissue decreased (P<0.05), compared with the male mice in simple high-fat group. For the female or male mice in the low- and medium-dose BPA + high-fat groups, only some of the above indicators showed significant changes (all P<0.05). Conclusion The combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet has a synergistic effect on the onset and development of NAFLD. The mechanism may be related to inducing cellular senescence and modulation of lipid synthesis pathways, thereby affecting liver steatosis. The exposure dose of BPA may affect the synergistic effect.

Objective:To discuss the correlation of International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) pathological grading with 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-1007 positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) parameters and serum total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) in prostate cancer, and assess the clinical value of PET/CT combined with tPSA in predicting the ISUP pathological grade of prostate cancer. Methods:The correlation of ISUP pathological grade with primary parameters of PET/CT images and serum tPSA of 117 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer at Shanxi Cancer Hospital from August 2018 to February 2023 and taken 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT imaging were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify the independent influencing factors for ISUP pathological grading of prostate cancer. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to predict the efficacy between the high and low ISUP grades for prostate cancer. Results:Of the 117 patients, 20 were in ISUP Group 1, 25 in Group 2, 18 in Group 3, 32 in Group 4, and 22 in Group 5. Of these, 63 were in the low-grade group (Groups 1-3) and 54 were in the high-grade group (Groups 4-5). The tumor long diameter was 3.10 (2.05, 4.25) cm, the prostate volume was 40.11 (33.13, 51.85) cm 3, the serum tPSA was 19.71 (12.25, 42.83) ng/ml, the prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) was 0.51 (0.31, 1.01) ng·ml -1·cm -3, the maximum standard uptake value of the lesion (SUVmax) was 15.24 (10.87, 22.03), and the tumor/spleen uptake ratio (TSR) was 1.61 (1.08, 2.15) in the 117 patients. The correlation analysis displayed that the SUVmax, TSR, and tPSA were positively correlated with ISUP groups ( r=0.640, 0.619, and 0.500, P＜0.01). The differences among SUVmax, TSR, long diameter, tPSA, and PSAD were statistically significant when compared among the five ISUP groups ( H=48.98, 45.63, 26.82, 33.95, and 23.81, P＜0.001). The differencesin serum tPSA ( z=5.19), PSAD ( z=4.64), long diameter ( z=3.19), SUVmax ( z=5.57), and TSR ( z=5.53) of the patients between the low-grade group and the high-grade group were statistically significant ( P＜0.01). In multivariate analysis, TSR ( OR=4.172, 95% CI: 2.095-8.308, P＜0.001) and the serum tPSA ( OR=1.042, 95% CI: 1.014-1.070, P＜0.01) were independent influencing factors for ISUP grades. ROC analysis revealed that the area under the curve for the 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT parameters SUVmax and TSR to predict low- or high-grade ISUP for prostate cancer was 0.800 (95% CI: 0.717-0.883) and 0.797 (95% CI: 0.713-0.881), respectively. Among the 70 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, the postoperative recurrence rate of high-grade ISUP patients was higher than that of low-grade patients (54.8% and 25.6%, χ 2=6.21, P＜0.05). Conclusions:18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT has good application in predicting ISUP grading of prostate cancer. TSR and the serum tPSA are independent predictors for the pathological grade.

Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Objective·To evaluate the detection efficacy and clinical value of non-invasive prenatal testing(NIPT)for identifying copy number variations(CNVs)in the recurrent 17p12 region,including the peripheral myelin protein 22(PMP22)gene.Methods·Pregnant women who underwent NIPT in the International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between July 2020 and April 2024 were enrolled.Clinical data of individuals indicated as high-risk for microdeletions/duplications in the 17p12 region based on NIPT results were collected.Follow-up was conducted to assess the results of subsequent prenatal diagnosis and chromosomal microarray analysis(CMA)performed on peripheral blood from both the pregnant women and their husband.The positive predictive value(PPV)of NIPT for detecting microdeletions/duplications in the 17p 12 region,as well as the underlying causes of false positives,was analyzed.Pregnancy outcomes and related clinical phenotypes of fetuses and pregnant women diagnosed with 17p12 CNVs were followed up.Results·A total of 61 858 pregnant women underwent NIPT testing.NIPT identified 24 cases(0.04％)as high-risk for CNVs in the 17p12 region,including six cases of high-risk 17p12 microduplication and 18 cases of high-risk 17p12 microdeletion.All 24 pregnant women received genetic counseling,and 21(87.50％)underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis.Invasive prenatal diagnostic confirmed four fetuses with 17p12 microduplications,nine fetuses with 17p12 microdeletions,and eight fetuses with no abnormalities,yielding a PPV of 61.90％(13/21).CMA analysis of maternal peripheral blood in the eight false-positive cases revealed that all mothers carried 17p12 CNVs.Further analysis of pregnant women with NIPT-indicated maternal CNVs revealed that all of them carried relevant CNVs.Among the 20 women with successful follow-up,the majority had normal deliveries,with only one case choosing to terminate the pregnancy due to a de-novo fetal 17p12 microduplication.Normally delivered fetuses(average age:1.5 years)were followed up without reporting any significant abnormalities.Of the 16 pregnant women carrying 17p12 CNVs,only two exhibited clinical phenotypes associated with these CNVs,while the others remained asymptomatic.Conclusion·NIPT demonstrates favorable detection efficacy for CNVs in the 17p12 region.Maternal CNVs are the primary cause of false-positive NIPT results for this region.

Objective:To explore the safety, effectiveness, and short-term outcomes of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for supraglottic laryngeal cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer who underwent TORS at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, and the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between January 2018 and April 2024. Data on operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, perioperative tracheostomy, nasogastric feeding, complications, and short-term follow-up were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Python.Results:A total of 27 patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer were included from the four centers, including 24 males and 3 females, with a median age of 66 (65, 68) years [ M( Q1, Q3), same below]. There were 26 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma.The TNM staging included T1 in 10 cases (37.04%), T2 in 13 cases (48.15%), and T3 in 4 cases (14.81%); N0 in 14 cases (51.85%), N1 in 7 cases (25.93%), and N2 in 6 cases (22.22%). The Da Vinci Si system was used in 23 cases, and the Da Vinci Xi in 4 cases. The robotic surgical time was 53 (30, 58) min. Concurrent neck dissection was performed in 25 cases, neoadjuvant therapy was given preoperatively in 8 cases (29.63%), and postoperative radiotherapy was administered in 13 cases (48.15%). Tracheostomy was performed in 11 cases (40.74%). Nasogastric tube placement was required in 23 cases (85.19%), with a median duration of 16 (12, 21) days. The postoperative hospital stay was 9.19±4.07 days. The median follow-up time was 12 (3, 30) months. Local recurrence occurred in 2 cases. The 3-year overall survival rate was 100%, and the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 94.1%. Conclusion:With appropriate patient selection, TORS for supraglottic laryngeal cancer demonstrates satisfactory short-term outcomes, thereby offering advantages in safety, efficacy, and minimal invasiveness, which can be considered a new treatment option for this condition.

Objective·To evaluate the detection efficacy and clinical value of non-invasive prenatal testing(NIPT)for identifying copy number variations(CNVs)in the recurrent 17p12 region,including the peripheral myelin protein 22(PMP22)gene.Methods·Pregnant women who underwent NIPT in the International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between July 2020 and April 2024 were enrolled.Clinical data of individuals indicated as high-risk for microdeletions/duplications in the 17p12 region based on NIPT results were collected.Follow-up was conducted to assess the results of subsequent prenatal diagnosis and chromosomal microarray analysis(CMA)performed on peripheral blood from both the pregnant women and their husband.The positive predictive value(PPV)of NIPT for detecting microdeletions/duplications in the 17p 12 region,as well as the underlying causes of false positives,was analyzed.Pregnancy outcomes and related clinical phenotypes of fetuses and pregnant women diagnosed with 17p12 CNVs were followed up.Results·A total of 61 858 pregnant women underwent NIPT testing.NIPT identified 24 cases(0.04％)as high-risk for CNVs in the 17p12 region,including six cases of high-risk 17p12 microduplication and 18 cases of high-risk 17p12 microdeletion.All 24 pregnant women received genetic counseling,and 21(87.50％)underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis.Invasive prenatal diagnostic confirmed four fetuses with 17p12 microduplications,nine fetuses with 17p12 microdeletions,and eight fetuses with no abnormalities,yielding a PPV of 61.90％(13/21).CMA analysis of maternal peripheral blood in the eight false-positive cases revealed that all mothers carried 17p12 CNVs.Further analysis of pregnant women with NIPT-indicated maternal CNVs revealed that all of them carried relevant CNVs.Among the 20 women with successful follow-up,the majority had normal deliveries,with only one case choosing to terminate the pregnancy due to a de-novo fetal 17p12 microduplication.Normally delivered fetuses(average age:1.5 years)were followed up without reporting any significant abnormalities.Of the 16 pregnant women carrying 17p12 CNVs,only two exhibited clinical phenotypes associated with these CNVs,while the others remained asymptomatic.Conclusion·NIPT demonstrates favorable detection efficacy for CNVs in the 17p12 region.Maternal CNVs are the primary cause of false-positive NIPT results for this region.

Objective:To explore the safety, effectiveness, and short-term outcomes of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for supraglottic laryngeal cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer who underwent TORS at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, and the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between January 2018 and April 2024. Data on operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, perioperative tracheostomy, nasogastric feeding, complications, and short-term follow-up were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Python.Results:A total of 27 patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer were included from the four centers, including 24 males and 3 females, with a median age of 66 (65, 68) years [ M( Q1, Q3), same below]. There were 26 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma.The TNM staging included T1 in 10 cases (37.04%), T2 in 13 cases (48.15%), and T3 in 4 cases (14.81%); N0 in 14 cases (51.85%), N1 in 7 cases (25.93%), and N2 in 6 cases (22.22%). The Da Vinci Si system was used in 23 cases, and the Da Vinci Xi in 4 cases. The robotic surgical time was 53 (30, 58) min. Concurrent neck dissection was performed in 25 cases, neoadjuvant therapy was given preoperatively in 8 cases (29.63%), and postoperative radiotherapy was administered in 13 cases (48.15%). Tracheostomy was performed in 11 cases (40.74%). Nasogastric tube placement was required in 23 cases (85.19%), with a median duration of 16 (12, 21) days. The postoperative hospital stay was 9.19±4.07 days. The median follow-up time was 12 (3, 30) months. Local recurrence occurred in 2 cases. The 3-year overall survival rate was 100%, and the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 94.1%. Conclusion:With appropriate patient selection, TORS for supraglottic laryngeal cancer demonstrates satisfactory short-term outcomes, thereby offering advantages in safety, efficacy, and minimal invasiveness, which can be considered a new treatment option for this condition.