OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of 46 Chinese pedigrees affected with Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) and provide genetic counseling and reproductive intervention. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were carried out on 87 patients from the 46 pedigrees to analyze the variants of EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Pathogenicity of the variants was assessed based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP). Prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) were provided for couples with identified pathogenic mutations. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: LL-SC-SG-2014-010). RESULTS: In total 17 and 22 pathogenic variants were respectively identified in the EXT1 and EXT2 genes, among which 5 EXT1 and 12 EXT2 variants were unreported previously. Three patients with no family history were found to harbor de novo variants of the EXT1 gene. Twenty nine couples had opted for PGT or underwent prenatal diagnosis following natural conception, and 17 healthy babies were born. CONCLUSION This study has clarified the genetic etiology of 45 HME pedigrees and identified 17 novel variants, which has enriched the mutational spectrum of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Reproductive intervention through PGT and prenatal diagnosis have prevented the recurrence of HME in these families.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Pedigree ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary/diagnosis* ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics* ; Adult ; Exostosin 1 ; Asian People/genetics* ; Genetic Testing ; Exostosin 2 ; Mutation ; China ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Pregnancy ; Genetic Counseling ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; Exome Sequencing ; East Asian People

ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal ratio of goat horn replacing antelope horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills and the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of this medicine. MethodsThe blood pressure-lowering efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with varying proportions of goat horn replacing antelope horn was evaluated on spontaneous hypertensive rats （SHR）. In this experiment， 50 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model （n=8）， captopril （0.01 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.342 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， and high-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）. Additionally， 8 WKY rats were used as the normal group. Drugs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks while an equal volume of distilled water was administered for the normal and model groups. Blood pressure was measured before administration， 3 h post administration， and biweekly thereafter. In the experiment for Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with goat horn replacing antelope horn in different proportions， 48 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model， blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1）， antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1）， 2× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.824 g·kg^-1）， 4× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.969 g·kg^-1）， and 6× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （1.112 g·kg^-1）. The normal group included 8 WKY rats， and the normal group and model group received an equal volume of distilled water. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks， and blood pressure was recorded at various time points （pre-administration， 3 h post administration， and on days 4， 7， 10， and 14 of administration）. Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE）， angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）， renin， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of ACE2， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， and angiotensinogen （AGT） in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot， while the expression of nuclear factor （NF）-κB p65 and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in the thoracic aorta tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the model group， all treatment groups showed lowered blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 6× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group showed consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated serum levels of ACE， Ang Ⅱ， renin， and IL-6， while the elevations were declined in the Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were alleviated in all the treatment groups， with the 6× goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups exhibited the best effect. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that all the treatment groups exhibited down-regulated protein levels of AT1R， AGT， NF-κB p65， and TLR4 and up-regulated protein levels of ACE2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） compared with model group， with the 6×goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups showcasing the best effect. ConclusionReplacing antelope horn with 6×goat horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills can achieve consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the original prescription. The prescription may exert the effect by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system （RAAS） and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging in staging and treatment decision for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN). METHODS: This retrospective analysis was conducted in 49 patients with GEP-NEN undergoing ¹⁸F-FDG and ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging at our hospital from August, 2020 to March, 2023, including 34 newly diagnosed patients and 15 patients with recurrence or metastasis after treatment. GEP-NEN were classified into G1, G2, and G3 neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) based on pathological typing. The detection efficiency were classified into 4 patterns based on the number of positive tumor lesions detected by the two tracers: ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE>¹⁸F-FDG (A); ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE=¹⁸F-FDG (B); ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE<¹⁸F-FDG (C); and complementation (D). The value of dual-modality imaging in staging and treatment decision were evaluated by visual analysis. RESULTS: In the 49 patients with GEP-NEN, ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was superior to ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for detecting systemic tumor lesions (P<0.001) and more sensitive for detecting primary/recurrent lesions, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, and bone metastasis (P<0.05), while ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT had higher detection rates for lung metastasis and peritoneal metastasis (P<0.05). In terms of the detection efficiency, Pattern A was found in 46.9% (23/49) patients, Pattern B in 38.8% (19/49), Pattern C in 12.2% (6/49), and Pattern D in 2.0% (1/49). The complementary value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT to ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was 0% in G1 NET patients (0/13), 8.3% in G2 NET patients (2/24), 50% in G3 NET patients (3/6), and 33.3% in NEC patients (2/6). 12.2% (6/49) of the patients had their staging confirmed or changed due to additional lesions detected by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging, resulting subsequently in establishment or adjustment of their treatment plans. CONCLUSIONS ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging should be the primary choice for GEP-NEN patients. Additional ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging can potentially improve precision of staging and treatment decision-making for G2, G3 and NEC patients but provides virtually no clinical benefits for G1 NET patients.
Humans ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methods* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/therapy* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Organometallic Compounds ; Stomach Neoplasms/therapy* ; Neoplasm Staging ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Intestinal Neoplasms/therapy* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of 68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in staging and treatment decision for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms(GEP-NEN).Methods This retrospective analysis was conducted in 49 patients with GEP-NEN undergoing 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging at our hospital from August,2020 to March,2023,including 34 newly diagnosed patients and 15 patients with recurrence or metastasis after treatment.GEP-NEN were classified into G1,G2,and G3 neuroendocrine tumors(NET)and neuroendocrine carcinomas(NEC)based on pathological typing.The detection efficiency were classified into 4 patterns based on the number of positive tumor lesions detected by the two tracers:68Ga-DOTATATE>18F-FDG(A);68Ga-DOTATATE=18F-FDG(B);68Ga-DOTATATE<18F-FDG(C);and complementation(D).The value of dual-modality imaging in staging and treatment decision were evaluated by visual analysis.Results In the 49 patients with GEP-NEN,68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was superior to 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting systemic tumor lesions(P<0.001)and more sensitive for detecting primary/recurrent lesions,lymph node metastasis,liver metastasis,and bone metastasis(P<0.05),while 18F-FDG PET/CT had higher detection rates for lung metastasis and peritoneal metastasis(P<0.05).In terms of the detection efficiency,Pattern A was found in 46.9%(23/49)patients,Pattern B in 38.8%(19/49),Pattern C in 12.2%(6/49),and Pattern D in 2.0%(1/49).The complementary value of 18F-FDG PET/CT to 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was 0%in G1 NET patients(0/13),8.3%in G2 NET patients(2/24),50%in G3 NET patients(3/6),and 33.3%in NEC patients(2/6).12.2%(6/49)of the patients had their staging confirmed or changed due to additional lesions detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging,resulting subsequently in establishment or adjustment of their treatment plans.Conclusion 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging should be the primary choice for GEP-NEN patients.Additional 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging can potentially improve precision of staging and treatment decision-making for G2,G3 and NEC patients but provides virtually no clinical benefits for G1 NET patients.

Objective To investigate the influence of different cell structures on the static and dynamic mechanical performance of porous titanium alloy scaffolds,and to provide a theoretical mechanical basis for the application of scaffolds in the repair of mandibular bone defects.Methods Porous titanium alloy scaffolds with diamond,cubic,and cross-sectional cubic cell structures were manufactured using three-dimensional printing technology.Uniaxial compression tests and ratcheting fatigue with compression load tests were conducted to analyze the static and dynamic mechanical performances of scaffolds with different cell structures.Results The elastic moduli of the diamond cell,cross-sectional cubic cell,and cubic cell scaffolds were 1.17,0.566,and 0.322 GPa,respectively,and the yield strengths were 71.8,65.1,and 31.8 MPa,respectively.After reaching the stable stage,the ratcheting strains of the cross-sectional cubic,diamond,and cubic cell scaffolds were 3.3%,4.0%,and 4.5%,respectively.The ratcheting strain increased with increasing average stress,stress amplitude,and peak holding time,and decreased with increasing loading rate.Conclusions The evaluation results of the static mechanical performance showed that the diamond cell scaffold was the best,followed by the cross-sectional cubic cell scaffold and the cubic cell scaffold.The evaluation results of the dynamic mechanical performance showed that the cross-sectional cubic cell scaffold performed the best,followed by the diamond cell scaffold,whereas the cubic cell scaffold performed the worst.The fatigue performance of the scaffold is affected by the loading conditions.These results provide new insights for scaffold construction for the repair of mandibular bone defects and provide an experimental basis for further clinical applications of this scaffold technology.

Objective:To explore the effects of apigenin on apoptosis and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in renal cancer A498 cells.Methods:Human renal cell carcinoma A498 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into different concentrations of apigenin (10, 20, 40 μmol/L) groups, apigenin (40 μmol/L)+ HIF-1α agonist dimethylenediaminoacetic acid (DMOG) group, HIF-1α inhibitor rifiximab (YC-1) group, and control group. Cell proliferation was detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and plate clone formation assay, apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry, and expression of apoptotic proteins and HIF-1/NF-B pathway proteins was detected using Western blot assay.Results:Celery extract significantly inhibited the proliferation of A498 cells, and the inhibitory effect was concentration dependent ( P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rates of A498 cells in the 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L apigenin groups and YC-1 groups were significantly increased [(4.35±1.04)% vs (10.06±1.13)%, (18.52±2.58)%, (32.17±2.63)%, (26.94±2.41)%], as well as the expression levels of B lymphocyte tumor 2 related protein (Bax) and Cleaved Caspase-3 protein, while the expression levels of B lymphocyte tumor 2 (Bcl-2) were significantly reduced (all P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the HIF-1α protein expression levels (0.85±0.08 vs 0.63±0.06, 0.31±0.03, 0.16±0.02) and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio (0.82±0.08 vs 0.51±0.05, 0.30±0.03, 0.13±0.01) of A498 cells in the 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L apigenin groups were significantly reduced (all P<0.001). Compared with the apigenin group, the apoptosis rate of A498 cells in the apigenin+ DMOG group was significantly reduced [(32.17±2.63)% vs (14.85±1.62)%], and the expression levels of Bax and Cleared Caspase-3 proteins were significantly reduced, while the expression levels of Bcl-2 proteins were significantly increased (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Apigenin may promote apoptosis in renal cancer A498 cells by inhibiting the activation of the HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Danggui Zicao ointment on diabetic pruritus caused by heat and wind in blood. Methods:A total of 197 patients with diabetic pruritus caused by heat and wind in blood who received treatment in Jinhua Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2020 to March 2022 were included in this randomized controlled study. They were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 99) and an observation group ( n = 98). Based on basic hypoglycemic treatment, the control group was given oral levocetirizine hydrochloride tablets, while the observation group was externally given Danggui Zicao ointment. Both groups were treated for 4 successive weeks. Pre- and post-treatment 12-Item Pruritus Severity Scale (12-PSS) score and clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups. Results:After 4 weeks of treatment, the 12-PSS score in each group significantly decreased compared with that before treatment ( t = 18.09, 11.31, both P < 0.05). The 12-PSS score in the observation group was (7.72 ± 1.64) points, which was significantly lower than (9.35 ± 2.18) points in the control group ( t = 3.52, P < 0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 87.8% (86/98), which was significantly higher than 76.8% (76/98) in the control group ( χ2 = 4.06, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Danggui Zicao ointment can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with diabetic pruritus caused by heat and wind in blood, improve quality of life, and deserves clinical promotion.

As a kind of elastic load-bearing connective tissues on bone surface in dynamic joints, articular cartilage can provide low wear lubrication, shock absorption, load transfer and other supporting functions, and has hierarchical fiber composite structures and excellent mechanical properties. As an avascular and aneural tissue,the degenerated articular cartilage lacks the capability of self-healing after damage. The high incidence of arthritisis still a hot spot in basic and clinical researches. Articular cartilage is a mechanical sensitive tissue, andmechanical environment will affect the development of tissues in different directions. Extensive researches onbiomechanics and mechanobiology of articular cartilage were conducted in 2022. Many studies on morphology, function and mechanical state of cartilage,as well as mechanical state of cartilage under different conditions were reported. Some cartilage-related loading devices were designed at animal, tissue and cell levels. Researches onthe repair of cartilage degeneration and injury under mechanical loads were carried out in vitro and in vivo, andsome important repair method and means were obtained. The biomechanical and mechanobiology research on articular cartilage is the basis of arthritis, cartilage defect and repair. The influence of quantitative mechanical under 4 conditions on the repair of articular cartilage injury needs further study in vivo and in vitro

Objective To study stress relaxation behaviors of cartilage scaffolds under different degradation cycles by using finite element analysis combined with theoretical models. Methods Based on the established degradation theoretical model, the elastic modulus of the scaffold was calculated under different degradation cycles. The finite element model of cartilage scaffolds was established and stress relaxation simulation was performed to analyze the variation of scaffold relaxation stress with time. The stress relaxation constitutive model was established to predict mechanical properties of the scaffold. Results The elastic modulus of cartilage scaffolds at 14 th, 28th, 42nd, 56th day after degradation was 32. 35, 31. 12, 29. 91, 28. 74 kPa, respectively. The upper layer for cartilage scaffolds was the largest. The overall relaxation stress of the scaffold decreased rapidly with time and then tended to be stable. At 8th week after degradation, the stress which the scaffold couldwithstand was still within the physiological load range of the cartilage. The predicted results of the stress relaxation constitutive model were in good agreement with the finite element simulation results. Conclusions The elastic modulus of the scaffold gradually decreases with the increase of degradation time. The longer the degradation period is, the less stress the scaffold can withstand. At the same degradation period, the larger the applied compressive strain, the larger the stress on the scaffold. Both the finite element simulation and stress relaxation constitutive model can effectively predict stress variations of cartilage scaffolds under degradation

Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Downson is a quarantine pest for importing plants to China that causes leaf scald bacterial disease on sugarcane. X. albilineans produces a potent phytotoxin/antibiotic called albicidin. As a pathogenic factor, albicidin causes typical white leaf stripes by inhibiting plastid DNA gyrase and disturbing chloroplast differentiation. Meanwhile, the antibacterial activity of albicidin gives X. albilineans a competitive advantage against rival bacteria during their colonization. Furthermore, albicidin has a rapid bactericidal activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria of human species at nanomolar concentrations, making it a potential antimicrobial drug for clinical application. This article reviews the advances of albicidin from the aspects of its molecular structure, traditional extraction methods, mechanism of action, biosynthetic genes and processes, chemical synthesis method and improvement, in order to provide insights into the prevention and treatment of the sugarcane leaf scald disease, and the development of new antibiotics.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; China ; Humans ; Organic Chemicals ; Xanthomonas/genetics*