Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum （LDP） on epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and the expression of cancer stem cell （CSC） properties in 4T1 cells from triple-negative breast cancer by intervening myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs）. MethodsSPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups， which were given 0.39， 1.94， 3.89 g·kg^-1·d^-1 suspension of Liuwei Dihuangwan for 7 days， respectively， to prepare low-， medium-， and high-dose LDPs. 4T1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the mammary glands of SPF-grade female Balb/c mice to construct a transplantation tumor model. Bone marrow cells were extracted from the tibia and femur and induced into MDSCs in vitro. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect the viability of 4T1 cells and MDSCs. The number of MDSCs and the expressions of CSC surface markers CD44 and CD24 in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry （FC）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were detected by cell scratch assay， Transwell invasion assay， and plate colony-forming assay， respectively. Western blot （WB） was used to detect the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （CXCL2）， E-cadherin， and N-cadherin. The expression of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin were detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， LDP showed no significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of 4T1 cells， but it significantly reduced the viability and number of MDSCs and reduced the number of MDSCs， as well as the expression of TGF-β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were increased after co-culture with MDSCs （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin and the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the expression of E-cadherin was decreased （P<0.05）. After the intervention of MDSCs with LDP， followed by co-culture with 4T1 cells， the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were obviously reduced （P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） in 4T1 cells. However， the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） was decreased in the co-culture system of 4T1 cells and MDSCs with LDP intervention （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLDP can reduce the viability and number of MDSCs and the expression of TGF-β， NF-κB， and CXCL2， reverse EMT， and reduce the characteristic expression of CSC to inhibit the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum （LDP） on epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and the expression of cancer stem cell （CSC） properties in 4T1 cells from triple-negative breast cancer by intervening myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs）. MethodsSPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups， which were given 0.39， 1.94， 3.89 g·kg^-1·d^-1 suspension of Liuwei Dihuangwan for 7 days， respectively， to prepare low-， medium-， and high-dose LDPs. 4T1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the mammary glands of SPF-grade female Balb/c mice to construct a transplantation tumor model. Bone marrow cells were extracted from the tibia and femur and induced into MDSCs in vitro. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect the viability of 4T1 cells and MDSCs. The number of MDSCs and the expressions of CSC surface markers CD44 and CD24 in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry （FC）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were detected by cell scratch assay， Transwell invasion assay， and plate colony-forming assay， respectively. Western blot （WB） was used to detect the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （CXCL2）， E-cadherin， and N-cadherin. The expression of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin were detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， LDP showed no significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of 4T1 cells， but it significantly reduced the viability and number of MDSCs and reduced the number of MDSCs， as well as the expression of TGF-β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were increased after co-culture with MDSCs （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin and the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the expression of E-cadherin was decreased （P<0.05）. After the intervention of MDSCs with LDP， followed by co-culture with 4T1 cells， the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were obviously reduced （P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） in 4T1 cells. However， the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） was decreased in the co-culture system of 4T1 cells and MDSCs with LDP intervention （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLDP can reduce the viability and number of MDSCs and the expression of TGF-β， NF-κB， and CXCL2， reverse EMT， and reduce the characteristic expression of CSC to inhibit the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells.

Objective:To explore the expression level of Porphyromonas gingivalis, downstream of tyrosine kinase 3 (DOK3) and tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) in the tumor immunomicroenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 200 OSCC patients with Porphyromonas gingivalis-positive confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing technology in the First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University between June 2008 and June 2020 were collected. The tumor tissues and the corresponding adjacent normal mucosal tissues of 6 OSCC patients (including 3 cases with Porphyromonas gingivalis -positive and 3 cases with Porphyromonas gingivalis-negative) were selected for high-throughput sequencing to screen differentially co-expressed genes. Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expressions of Porphyromonas gingivalis, DOK3, and CD206 (a TAM marker). The median H score of OSCC tissues was used as the threshold to categorize the expression level of Porphyromonas gingivalis, DOK3 and CD206 into low-expression (H score < threshold) and high-expression (H score ≥ threshold) groups. The overall survival (OS) analysis was conducted by using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was employed.Results:The high-throughput sequencing results revealed that DOK3 is a differentially co-expressed gene among normal oral mucosa, Porphyromonas gingivalis-positive, and Porphyromonas gingivalis-negative OSCC. In 200 patients with Porphyromonas gingivalis-positive OSCC, 139 exhibited high expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis (H score ≥ 7 points), while 61 showed low expression (H score < 7 points). There were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with different survival status, pathological T stage, pathological N stage, clinical stage, tumor diameter, degree of tumor differentiation and recurrence (all P < 0.05). Among the 139 OSCC patients with high expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis, 92 cases showed high expression of DOK3 (H score ≥ 6 points) and 47 showed low expression (H score < 6 points); 78 cases exhibited high expression of CD206 (H score ≥ 6 points), while 61 showed low expression (H score < 6 points). There were statistically significant differences in the DOK3 expression level in the high expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis OSCC patients with different age, survival status, pathological T stage, pathological N stage, and recurrence (all P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the CD206 expression level in the high expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis OSCC patients with different pathological T stage, clinical stage, and degree of tumor differentiation (all P < 0.05). The expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis was positively correlated with the expressions of DOK3 and CD206 (both P < 0.01). At the last follow-up on April 6th, 2024, the median follow-up time was 45 months (3 to 106 month range). The median OS time of the 200 patients was 2 429 d, and the 3-year OS rate was 63.9%. The OS of OSCC patients with high expressions of Porphyromonas gingivalis, DOK3, and CD206 was worse than that in those with low expressions (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The high expression levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, DOK3, and TAM are associated with a poor prognosis of OSCC patients, suggesting their potential as key biomarkers for prognostic evaluation.

Objective:To develop and validate clinical predictive models for identifying poor short-term response to recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) treatment in children with short stature.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 118 children diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and two other hospitals between January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2024. A poor response to rhGH was defined as a height increase of less than 0.2 standard deviation score(SDS) after 6 months of rhGH treatment. LASSO regression was used to identify predictive variables from baseline and follow-up data. Two logistic regression models were conducted: Model A(incorporating baseline variables only) and model B(incorporating both baseline and follow-up variables), and nomograms were created for visualization. External data and internal resampling were used for dual validation of the models, and their performance was compared.Results:A total of 118 children with short stature were included. Six baseline predictive variables(diagnosis, initial height SDS, bone age, bone age-chronological age difference, rhGH dose, and gender) and one follow-up variable(height SDS after 3 months of rhGH treatment) were identified. Area under the curve values for Model A and Model B were 0.753(95% CI 0.696-0.811) and 0.930(95% CI 0.891-0.975), respectively. Calibration curves, decision curve analysis, and other evaluation metrics demonstrated good discrimination and clinical utility for both models. Model B, incorporating the 3-month follow-up variable, showed superior predictive performance compared to Model A. Conclusions:The clinical prediction models developed in this study(Model A and Model B) are practical and reliable tools for quantitatively, conveniently, and intuitively identifying children with short stature at risk of poor response to rhGH treatment.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) in children, and to analyze its influencing factor of prognosis.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 40 children with FCA who were hospitalized at the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from September 2015 to August 2024 were collected. A centralized follow-up was conducted in October 2024 via outpatient clinics or the internet. The pediatric stroke outcome measure (PSOM) was used to evaluate their outcomes. Based on the PSOM, the children were further divided into a group with normal neurological function and another group with abnormal neurological function. Differences between groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Univariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors for neurological outcomes in children with FCA. Results:A total of 40 children were included, with 20 males and 20 females, and the onset age of 9.2 (6.8, 12.5) years. Among them, 12 cases (30%) had a history of varicella within 1 year before onset. There were 23 cases (58%) presenting with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or recurrent fluctuating symptoms of onset, while 3 cases (8%) developed progressive stroke within the first month of onset. The M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery was the most commonly affected vascular site, with a total of 16 cases (40%). Arterial occlusion occurred in 8 cases (20%). Lumbar puncture was completed in 36 children, and white blood cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid was increased in 6 cases. All 23 patients who completed magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (VWI) showed circular enhancement of the arterial wall. A total of 28 patients (70%) received antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy, and 16 patients (40%) received hormone therapy. At admission, the pediatric National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) score was 6.0 (2.0, 8.8) points, which decreased to 0.5 (0, 3.0) points at discharge. The follow-up duration was 1.6 (0.8, 4.9) years, with 1 case lost to follow-up. There was 1 case presenting with recurrence course manifesting as TIA. Among the 39 cases who completed the follow-up, 23 cases (59%) were assessed as neurologically normal by PSOM, while 16 cases (41%) were assessed as neurologically abnormal. Among the 29 cases who completed the imaging review, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) review in 23 cases indicated stability or improvement in the original arterial stenosis, with 6 cases experiencing transient worsening of arterial stenosis early in the disease course (within 2 months), which later improved. Arterial stenosis progression occurred in 6 cases at the final review of 29 cases who completed the imaging review, with 1 case developing progressive cerebral arteriopathy. The proportion of patients with headache, altered consciousness, and aphasia in the abnormal neurological function group, as well as the PedNISS scores at admission and discharge, were all higher than those in the normal neurological function group (all P<0.05). Univariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that only a PedNISS score>6 points at onset was an influencing factor for abnormal neurological function ( OR=20.58, 95% CI 3.93-107.70, P<0.001). Conclusions:Childhood FCA often presents with fluctuating onset, and the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery is frequently affected. Progression of arterial stenosis is common within 2 months of the disease course, but clinical progression and new ischemic lesions are uncommon. Most patients have a favorable long-term prognosis. PedNIHSS score>6 points at admission is related to abnormal neurological function outcomes.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, RAN-binding protein 2 ( RANBP2) gene variations, and prognosis in Chinese acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) patients. Methods:A retrospective analysis of ANE cases registered in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Encephalitis Registry System from 2022 to 2024, involving patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and other hospitals, was conducted. A descriptive study was performed on the clinical characteristics, treatments and prognosis, cerebrospinal fluid examination results, and imaging findings of these patients based on adjusted ANE diagnostic criteria. Whole-exome sequencing technology was used to detect gene mutations in these patients.Results:A total of 18 ANE cases were included, ranged in age from 2 to 72 [20(5, 43)] years. The male-to-female ratio was 4∶5. All patients were found with precipitating infections including COVID-19, influenza A virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. All patients presented with fever, with varying degrees of consciousness disturbance observed in 16 cases, and seizures in 10 cases. All patients underwent lumbar puncture, with normal or mildly elevated white cell counts [3(2, 13)×10 6/L] and mildly to moderately elevated protein levels [1.90(0.92, 4.65) g/L]. A total of 6 patients were found with extremely elevated interleukin-6 level [950(164, 2 000) pg/ml] in cerebrospinal fluid. Bilateral symmetric thalamic lesions were typical imaging features of ANE, while involvement of other areas such as cortical and subcortical white matter, brainstem, and cerebellum was also observed. A total of 14 patients performed genetic tests while 4 patients were identified with RANBP2 gene mutations (c.1754C>T in 3 cases, c.1966A>G in 1 case). All patients received immunotherapy, and 7 patients died at discharge while other patients presented with neurological sequelae of varying degrees. Conclusions:ANE is a rare and severe parainfectious encephalopathy that can occur in both children and adults. Clinically, it is characterized by rapidly progressing encephalopathy following systematic infection, with bilateral symmetric thalamic lesions. The detection of RANBP2 gene mutations could help make the diagnosis.

The incidence rate and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma are still very high. Surgery, ablation therapy, and liver transplantation are crucial in the treatment of liver cancer, but they are prone to recurrence after surgery; In addition, hepatocellular carcinoma is often diagnosed in advanced stages, which makes systemic therapy, especially immunotherapy, an important treatment option. The immune microenvironment of liver cancer has immunosuppressive effects, and overcoming immunosuppression is the key to immunotherapy for the liver cancer. In recent years, multiple clinical trials have shown that immunotherapy, especially the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors, has better efficacy and survival rates, making it the gold standard for treating patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. This success has prompted research to expand the application of immunotherapy to neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and conversion therapies, as well as patients with liver dysfunction and those awaiting liver transplantation. Although its efficacy has been proven, there are still a large number of patients who develop resistance to immunotherapy, which requires various innovative strategies to address this challenge.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.