Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) acts as an oncogene in liver cancer, yet its roles and in-depth molecular mechanisms within the liver cancer immune microenvironment remain mostly undefined. Here, we demonstrated that disruption of tumor-intrinsic PRMT5 enhances CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity both in vivo and in vitro. Further experiments verified that this effect is achieved through downregulation of the inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule, fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1). Mechanistically, PRMT5 catalyzed symmetric dimethylation of transcription factor 12 (TCF12) at arginine 554 (R554), prompting the binding of TCF12 to FGL1 promoter region, which transcriptionally activated FGL1 in tumor cells. Methylation deficiency at TCF12-R554 residue downregulated FGL1 expression, which promoted CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Notably, combining the PRMT5 methyltransferase inhibitor GSK591 with PD-L1 blockade efficiently inhibited liver cancer growth and improved overall survival in mice. Collectively, our findings reveal the immunosuppressive role and mechanism of PRMT5 in liver cancer and highlight that targeting PRMT5 could boost checkpoint immunotherapy efficacy.

Metabolic reprogramming plays a central role in tumors. However, the key drivers modulating reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we try to identify the mechanism by which histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) confers reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis in liver cancer. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis was hardly observed in HAT1-knockout mice. Multi-omics identified that HAT1 modulated gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis in liver. Protein phosphatase 2 scaffold subunit alpha (PPP2R1A) promoted gluconeogenesis and inhibited lipogenesis by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) serine 90 dephosphorylation to suppress the tumor growth. HAT1 succinylated PPP2R1A at lysine 541 (K541) to block the assembly of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzyme and interaction with PCK1, resulting in the depression of dephosphorylation of PCK1. HAT1-succinylated PPP2R1A contributed to the remodeling of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis by PCK1 serine 90 phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of gluconeogenic enzyme activity and activating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) nuclear accumulation-induced lipogenesis gene expression, which enhanced the tumor growth. In conclusion, succinylation of PPP2R1A lysine 541 by HAT1 converses the role in modulation of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis remodeling through PCK1 S90 phosphorylation to support liver cancer. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which post-translational modifications (PTMs) confer the conversion of tumor suppressor function to oncogene.

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a common disease often accompanied by pain, seriously affecting physical and mental health of patients. Abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction has been considered as a predominant origin of arthralgia, while the specific mechanism mediating pain remains unclear. To investigate the underlying mechanism of TMJ-OA pain, an abnormal joint loading model was used to induce TMJ-OA pain. We found that during the development of TMJ-OA, the increased innervation of sympathetic nerve of subchondral bone precedes that of sensory nerves. Furthermore, these two types of nerves are spatially closely associated. Additionally, it was discovered that activation of sympathetic neural signals promotes osteoarthritic pain in mice, whereas blocking these signals effectively alleviates pain. In vitro experiments also confirmed that norepinephrine released by sympathetic neurons promotes the activation and axonal growth of sensory neurons. Moreover, we also discovered that through releasing norepinephrine, regional sympathetic nerves of subchondral bone were found to regulate growth and activation of local sensory nerves synergistically with other pain regulators. This study identified the role of regional sympathetic nerves in mediating pain in TMJ-OA. It sheds light on a new mechanism of abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction and the regional crosstalk between peripheral nerves, providing a potential target for treating TMJ-OA pain.
Animals ; Osteoarthritis/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Sympathetic Nervous System/physiopathology* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathology* ; Arthralgia ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Disease Models, Animal ; Norepinephrine ; Male ; Temporomandibular Joint/physiopathology* ; Pain Measurement

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features and causative genes of short stature children with unknown etiology， providing evidence for precise clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsThe study recruited children with suspected but undiagnosed short stature from the pediatric endocrinology department in our hospital between January 2018 and August 2022. A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical manifestations， laboratory test and whole exome sequencing （WES） results. Causative genes were classified and analyzed according to different pathogenic mechanisms. ResultsA total of 48 children （30 boys and 18 girls） were enrolled， aged 7.73 ± 3.97 years， with a height standard deviation score （ HtSDS） of -3.63 ± 1.67. Of the patients， 33 （68.8%） suffered from facial anomalies， 31 （64.6%） from skeletal abnormalities， 26 ［54.2%， 61.5% of whom born small for gestational age （SGA）］ from perinatal abnormalities， 24 ［50.0%， 87.5% of whom with growth hormone （GH） peak concentration below normal］ from endocrine disorders and 21（43.8%） had a family history of short stature. Laboratory tests showed that GH peak concentration following stimulation test was （9.72 ± 7.25） ng/mL， IGF-1 standard deviation score was -0.82 ± 1.42， the difference between bone age and chronological age was -0.93 ± 1.39 years. Of the 25 cases with mutant genes found by WES， 14 （56.0%） had pathogenic mutation， 6 （24.0%） likely pathogenic mutation， and 5 （20.0%） mutation of uncertain significance. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were identified in 14 genes， including 10 affecting intracellular signaling pathways （PTPN11， RAF1， RIT1， ARID1B， ANKRD11， CSNK2A1， SRCAP， CUL7， SMAD4 and FAM111A） and 4 affecting extracellular matrix （ECM） components or functions （ACAN， FBN1， COL10A1 and COMP）. ConclusionsA rare monogenic disease should be considered as the possible etiology for children with severe short stature accompanied by facial anomalies， disproportionate body types， skeletal abnormalities， SGA， GH peak concentration below normal and a family history of short stature. WES played an important role in identifying the monogenic causes of short stature. This study indicated that affecting growth plate cartilage formation through intracellular signaling pathways and ECM components or functions was the main mechanism of causative genes leading to severe short stature in children. Further research may help discover and study new pathogenic variants and gene functions.

Objective:To analyze plaque characteristics of non-culprit coronary lesions with cholesterol crystals in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) by using optical coherence tomography(OCT). We also investigated the potential association between cholesterol crystals with plaque rupture and healed plaque at non-culprit segment.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between January 2017 and December 2017, patients with AMI who underwent 3-vessel OCT imaging were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of cholesterol crystals at the non-culprit lesions. All patients underwent coronary angiography and OCT examination, and non-culprit plaque characteristics were compared between the two groups. The generalized estimating equation log-binomial multirariate regression model was used to assess the relationship between non-culprit lesions with cholesterol crystals and plaque rupture and plaque healing. The follow-up data collection ended in October 2023. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted, and log-rank tests were used to compare the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events between the two groups.Results:A total of 173 AMI patients were included (aged (56.8±11.6) years; 124 men (71.7%)). Among 710 non-culprit lesions identified by OCT, there were 102 (14.4%) in cholesterol crystals group and 608 (85.6%) in non-cholesterol crystals group. Compared with non-culprit lesions without cholesterol crystals, those with cholesterol crystals had smaller minimum lumen diameter, severer diameter stenosis, and longer lesion length (all P<0.01). The prevalence of plaque rupture (17.6% (18/102) vs. 4.9% (30/608), P=0.001) and thin-cap fibroatheroma (31.4% (32/102) vs. 11.5% (70/608), P<0.01) was higher in the cholesterol crystals groups than in the non-cholesterol crystals group. In addition, vulnerable plaque characteristics such as (44.1% (45/102) vs. 25.8% (157/608), P<0.01), macrophages were more frequently observed in non-culprit lesions with cholesterol crystals. The generalized estimating equation log-binomial multivariate regression analyses showed that non-culprit cholesterol crystals were positively correlated with healed plaque ( OR=1.583, 95% CI: 1.004-2.495, P=0.048). Conversely, cholesterol crystals were not associated with plaque rupture ( OR=1.632, 95% CI: 0.745-3.576, P=0.221). The follow-up time was 2 142 (1 880, 2 198) days. Non-culprit cholesterol crystals were not related to the major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with AMI (log-rank P=0.558). Conclusions:Among AMI patients, non-culprit lesions with cholesterol crystals presented with severer luminal stenosis and increased plaque vulnerability. The presence of non-culprit cholesterol crystals was associated with rather than plaque rupture.

It's the duty of contemporary teachers to cultivate students' independent learning, independent thinking, and self-management ability. This paper reviews the significance of independent learning for cultivating medical students with forward-looking learning ability and cutting-edge medical knowledge. It focuses on the strategies and ideas of cultivating medical students' independent learning ability from the aspects of strategy and evaluation, and tries to provide inspiration and reference for the application of independent learning teaching method in the cultivation of medical students.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of remimazolam combined with afentanyl for fiberoptic bronchoscopy.Methods:Sixty patients admitted to Chifeng Hospital for fiberbronchoscopy from January to April 2022 were selected and divided into two groups by random number table method: remimazolam group (group R) and propofol group (group P), 30cases in each group. After intravenous injection of alfentanil for anesthesia induction, group R was sedated by intravenous injection of remidazolam besylate, and group P was sedated by intravenous injection of propofol emulsion. When sufficient sedation was achieved, fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed. The patients were scored with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before examination and before leaving the room. The recovery rate of sedation and the recovery rate of drugs during operation were compared. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR), bispectral index (BIS), SpO 2 value and Modified Observer′s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) score were compared before induction (T 0), at the beginning of examination (T 1), immediately when fiber bronchoscope reached juga (T 2), at the end of surgery (T 3), immediately, when patients regained consciousness (T 4). Drug onset and recovery time (time out of hospital) as well as the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded in both groups. Results:There was no statistically significant difference in general condition, MMSE score and examination time between the two groups (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the success rate of sedation and the number of sedative remedy times (all P>0.05). The number of additional drugs in group R was significantly higher than that in group P ( P<0.05). The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and BIS values of patients in group P at T 1 and T 2 were significantly lower than those in group R (all P<0.05). After administration, the MOAA/S score of the two groups began to decrease, and the decrease of the P group was significantly greater than that of the R group, and the MOAA/S value of the patients was the lowest at the 3rd and 4th minutes after administration, respectively. The time from the beginning of administration to the MOAA/S score ≤3 in group P was significantly shorter than that in group R (all P<0.05). The incidence of pain and respiratory depression after injection in group P was significantly higher than that in group R ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of afentanil combined with remimazolam in the patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy has good sedative effect and high anesthesia quality, and has no obvious effect on cognitive function and few adverse reactions, so it is safe and effective.

Objective:To explore the effect of joint segmentation model of myocardial-fibrotic region based on deep learning in quantitative analysis of myocardial fibrosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods:The data of 200 patients with confirmed DCM and myocardial fibrosis in the left ventricle detected by cardiac MR-late gadolinium enhancement (CMR-LGE) in Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2015 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Using a complete randomized design, the patients were divided into training set ( n=120), validation set ( n=30) and test set ( n=50). The left ventricle myocardium was outlined and the normal myocardial region was selected by radiologists. Fibrotic myocardium was extracted through calculating the threshold with standard deviation (SD) as a reference standard for left ventricle segmentation and fibrosis quantification. The left ventricular myocardium was segmented by convex prior U-Net network. Then the normal myocardial image block was recognized by VGG image classification network, and the fibrosis myocardium was extracted by SD threshold. The myocardial segmentation effect was evaluated using precision, recall, intersection over union (IOU) and Dice coefficient. The consistency of myocardial fibrosis ratio in left ventricle obtained by joint segmentation model and manual extraction was evaluated with intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). According to the median of fibrosis rate, the samples were divided into mild and severe fibrosis, and the quantitative effect of fibrosis was compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:In the test set, the precision of myocardial segmentation was 0.827 (0.799, 0.854), the recall was 0.849 (0.822, 0.876), the IOU was 0.788 (0.760, 0.816), and the Dice coefficient was 0.832 (0.807, 0.857). The consistency of fibrosis ratio between joint segmentation model and manual extraction was high (ICC=0.991, P<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in the ratio error between mild and severe fibrosis ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The joint segmentation model realizes the automatic calculation of myocardial fibrosis ratio in left ventricle, which is highly consistent with the results of manual extraction. Therefore, it can accurately realize the automatic quantitative analysis of myocardial fibrosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective:To analyze the detection rate of hyperuricemia (HUA) and the distribution of serum uric acid (SUA) levels by multiple correlation analysis in middle-aged and elderly population receiving health examination.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, the study object were 25 587 middle-aged and elderly people who receiving health examination in Nanfang Hospital from January to December in 2014. According to the latest diagnostic criteria, the population was divided into HUA and non-HUA groups. Furthermore, the subjects were divided into 4 groups with the level of SUA (Q 1: SUA<313 μmol/L, Q 2:313 μmol/L≤SUA<375 μmol/L, Q 3:375 μmol/L≤SUA<440 μmol/L, Q 4: SUA≥440 μmol/L). According to the data types, two independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test and multiple correspondence analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results:The mean age of the study subjects was (54.78±8.80) years with 16 570 males (64.8%) and 9 017 females (35.2%). The overall detection rate of HUA was 31.5%, and it was higher in men (43.1%) than in women (10.1%). The body mass index(BMI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in the HUA group were all higher than those in the non-HUA group (all P<0.001); and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was lower than that in the non-HUA group( P<0.001). In multiple correspondence analysis, Cronbach′s α coefficients of the first dimension and the second dimension was 0.608 and 0.237, respectively. Further analysis was performed stratified by gender, it indicated that 45-<55 years old male and overweight were closely associated with the Q 3 group, fatty liver and hyperlipidemia were closely associated with Q 4 group; the 55-<65 years old female, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and obesity were closely associated with the Q 3 group, while hyperglycemia and hypertension were closely associated with the Q 4 group. Conclusion:The detection rate of HUA in middle-aged and elderly population receiving health examination was high, and the detection rate of HUA in male was higher than that in female. SUA levels are higher in middle-aged and elderly men who have fatty liver and hyperlipidemia. While SUA levels are higher in middle-aged and elderly women who have hyperglycemia and hypertension.