OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of CD20 coding gene （MS4A1） polymorphism on the blood concentration and efficacy of rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. METHODS A prospective observational study was conducted on 160 newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients who received the R-CHOP regimen at the Sun Yat Sen University Cancer Center from January 2016 to December 2020， with a minimum follow-up period of approximately 5 years. The blood concentration of rituximab was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MS4A1 tagSNPs were selected by Haploview4.2 software， including rs1051461， rs17155034， rs4939364， and rs10501385. The genotype of MS4A1 was detected by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Univariate linear regression analysis was employed to examine the correlation between various factors（demographic， clinical， and genotypic variables） in patients and the steady-state trough concentration of rituximab during the first course of treatment， followed by multivariate linear regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn to evaluate progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS）. Using MS4A1 genotype and tumor stage as independent variables， Cox regression model was employed to evaluate the factors influencing patient prognosis. RESULTS The blood concentration of rituximab in MS4A1 rs10501385 CC carriers was 15.20 μg/mL，which was significantly lower than 21.95 μg/mL in AA+AC carriers （P＜0.05）. The multivariate linear regression model incorporating tumor stage and MS4A1 rs10501385 polymorphism explained 7.3% of the interindividual variability in rituximab concentrations. Compared with MS4A1 rs1051461 CC carriers， CT+TT carriers had significantly prolonged PFS and OS （P＜0.05）. The Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that the MS4A1 rs1051461 CC genotype （HR＝4.406， 95%CI：1.743-11.137， P＜0.05） and tumor Ⅲ&Ⅳ （HR＝3.233， 95%CI： 1.413-7.399， P＜0.05） were independent risk factors for PFS. CONCLUSIONS The tumor staging and MS4A1 rs10501385 polymorphism are key influencing factors for blood concentration of rituximab， and MS4A1 rs1051461 polymorphism significantly affects PFS in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients.

Aim To investigate the effects of multi-gly-cosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW)on mitochon-drial dynamics-related proteins and the mechanism of nephroprotective effects in IgA nephrophathy(IgAN)rats.Methods SPF grade male SD rats were random-ly divided into the Control group,modelling group,prednisone group(6.25 mg·kg·d-1)and GTW group(6.25 mg·kg·d-1).The IgAN rat model was established by the method of"bovine serum albumin(BSA)+carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)+lipopolysac-charide(LPS)".The total amount of urinary protein(24 h-UTP)and erythrocyte count in urine were meas-ured in 24 h urine.Blood biochemistry of serum albu-min(ALB),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),urea ni-trogen(BUN),and creatinine(Scr)were measured in abdominal aorta of the rats;immunofluorescence and HE staining were used to observe the histopathology of the kidneys;RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of key proteins regulating mitochondrial division and fu-sion:dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1),mitochondrial fusion protein 1(Mfn1),and mitochondrial fusion pro-tein 2(Mfn2),and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(Pink1),in the kidney tissue of rats.Results GTW significantly reduced urinary erythrocyte count and 24 h-UTP,decreased serum ALT,BUN and Scr levels,in-creased serum ALB levels,improved renal histopatho-logical status in IgAN rats,increased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Mfn1,Mfn2,and Pink1,and decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Drp1 in renal tissues.Conclusions GTW may regu-late mitochondrial structure and maintain the dynamic balance of mitochondrial dynamics by promoting the ex-pression of Mfn1,Mfn2,Pink1 and decreasing Drp1.This may result in a reduction in urinary erythrocyte counts and proteinuria,and an improvement in renal function.

Aim To explore the mechanism of action of Tripterygium glycosides tablets on kidney of rats with IgA nephropathy based on inflammation-related path-ways.Methods Forty-five male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into control group and modeling group.In addition to the blank group,the modeling group used the combination of bovine serum albumin(BSA)+carbon tetrachloride(CC14)+lipopolysac-charide(LPS)to establish the IgA nephropathy rat model.Successfully modeled rats were randomly divid-ed into the model group,the prednisone group and Tripterygium glycosides tablets group,and the treat-ment group was given the drug by gavage from the 13 th week,and the 24 hours urine,blood and kidney tis-sues of the rats were collected and examined after 4 weeks of the administration of the drug.Urine erythro-cyte count,quantitative 24-h urine protein(24 h-UTP),urea nitrogen(BUN),and blood creatinine(Scr)were detected in each group;serum interleukin 1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(Elisa);the pathological changes in the renal tissues of the rats in each group were observed by horizontal hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;and the renal tis-sues in each group were observed by Western blotting.The expressions of LIGHT,HVEM,LTβR proteins and their mRNAs in rat kidney tissue were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Tripterygium glycosides tablets significantly reduced the levels of urinary erythrocyte count,24 h-UTP,BUN,and Scr in IgA nephropathy rats(P＜0.01),improved renal histopathology,lowered the levels of se-rum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and lowered the levels of LIGHT,HVEM,LTβR proteins and their mRNA expression in renal tis-sues(P＜0.01).Conclusions Tripterygium glyco-sides tablets may inhibit the immune response and re-duce the release of inflammatory factors by down-regu-lating the LIGHT-HVEM/LT(3R pathway,thus reduc-ing the inflammatory response,lowering the urinary e-rythrocytes and urinary proteins,improving the renal nephron pathologic injury,and protecting the renal function.

Objective:To analyze the factors affecting overall survival(OS)of adult patients with core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia(CBF-AML)and establish a prediction model.Methods:A total of 216 newly diagnosed patients with CBF-AML in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2015 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The 216 CBF-AML patients were divided into the training and the validation cohort at 7:3 ratio.The Cox regression model was used to analyze the clinical factors affecting OS.Stepwise regression was used to establish the optimal model and the nomogram.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA)were used to evaluate the model performance.Results:Age(≥ 55 years old),peripheral blood blast(≥80％),fusion gene(AML1-ETO),KIT mutations were identified as independent adverse factors for OS.The area under the ROC curve at 3-year was 0.772 and 0.722 in the training cohort and validation cohort,respectively.The predicted value of the calibration curve is in good agreement with the measured value.DCA shows that this model performs better than a single factor.Conclusion:This prediction model is simple and feasible,and can effectively predict the OS of CBF-AML,and provide a basis for treatment decision.

Objective:To explore the value of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 in peripheral blood for risk stratification and prognostic evaluation of acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD)after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)in children.Methods:From January 2020 to March 2022,70 children with aGVHD after allo-HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected as the research objects,of which 50 cases were mild aGVHD(grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ)and 20 cases were severe aGVHD(grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ).30 healthy children who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Luminex platform was used to detect the protein expression levels of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 during aGVHD occurrence,and the differences between the three groups were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.According to the outcome of aGVHD treatment within 28 days,the patients were divided into a good prognosis group of 58 cases and a poor prognosis group of 12 cases.The ROC curve was used to analyze the value of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 in predicting the prognosis of children with aGVHD.Results:The peripheral blood levels of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 in the mild aGVHD and severe aGVHD groups were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05),and those in the severe aGVHD group were significantly higher than those in the mild aGVHD group(P＜0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group,the peripheral blood levels of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 in the poor prognosis group were significantly higher(t=9.27,3.33,2.97;P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 in predicting the prognosis of children with aGVHD were higher than those of the above indicators detected alone or in pairs.Conclusion:The expression levels of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 were related to the severity of aGVHD.The combination of REG3α,sST2 and TNFR1 has a high clinical value in predicting the prognosis of children with aGVHD,which is expected to provide a reliable reference for clinical evaluation of the prognosis of children with aGVHD.

Objective:This study aims to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric appendicovesical fistula (AVF).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of a pediatric patient with AVF admitted to our hospital in March 2023. The patient was a 6-year and 11-month old male who was hospitalized on March 21, 2023, due to difficulty urinating accompanied by diarrhea for two weeks. Computed tomography (CT) revealed bladder stones. The preoperative diagnosis was bladder stones. Transurethral cystoscopic lithotripsy with laser was performed under general anesthesia. Two weeks postoperatively, the child presented with recurrent symptoms of frequent urination, urinary pain, and diarrhea. Urine routine examination indicated a urinary tract infection. Over a month of antibiotic treatment was ineffective, and symptoms such as pneumaturia and fecaluria emerged, with exacerbation of diarrhea, suggesting the possibility of a fistulous tract between the child's intestine and bladder. Further bladder ultrasonography with contrast showed microbubbles of contrast medium leaking from the right posterior bladder wall into the intestinal tract. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a small, sharp tube-like shadow at the upper edge of the right posterior bladder, with a strip-like, significantly enhanced shadow within the lumen. The preoperative diagnosis was revised to appendicovesical fistula. During cystoscopic examination, a papillary-like protrusion was identified on the right lateral wall of the bladder, with no evident orificium fistulae or foreign body discharge noted at the protrusion site. Consequently, robot-assisted laparoscopic partial cystectomy, appendectomy, and lysis of adhesions were performed.Results:The patient was administered antibiotic for a 10-day course of anti-infection and a urinary catheter was maintained for 13 days. The patient recovered entirely and had been discharged after the removal of the urinary catheter. At an 11-month follow-up, there were no reported specific discomforts.Conclusions:Pediatric AVF is rare, and bladder contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and MRI are preferred for initial diagnostic evaluation. The diagnosis can be confirmed by specific clinical presentations such as intermittent pneumaturia and fecaluria, diarrhea with bladder stones. Laparoscopic surgery or robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery could be a feasible treatment option.

Objective:To explore the expressions of zinc homeostasis-related proteins,G protein-coupled receptor 39(GPR39)and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of patients with asthenozoospermia(AS),and analyze their correlation with sperm motility.Methods:We collected semen samples from 82 male subjects with PR+NP＜40％,PR＜32％and sperm concentration＞15 × 106/ml(the AS group,n=40)or PR+NP≥40％,PR≥32％and sperm concentration＞15 × 106/ml(the normal control group,n=42).We analyzed the routine semen parameters and measured the zinc content in the seminal plasma using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system,detected the expressions of zinc transporters(ZIP13,ZIP8 and ZNT10),metallothioneins(MT1G,MT1 and MTF),GPR39,and calcium-dependent chloride channel protein(ANO1)in the sperm by real-time quantitative PCR(RT qPCR),examined free zinc distribution in the sperm by laser confocal microscopy,and determined the expressions of GPR39 and MT1 proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining,followed by Spearman rank correlation analysis of their correlation with semen parameters.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the zinc concentration in the seminal plasma between the AS and normal control groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the controls,the AS patients showed a significantly reduced free zinc level(P＜0.05),relative expressions of MT1G,MTF,ZIP13,GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA(P＜0.05),and that of the GPR39 protein in the AS group(P＜0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed in the relative expression levels of ZIP8,ZNT10 and MT1 mRNA between the two groups(P＞0.05).The relative expression levels of GPR39,ANO1,MT1G and MTF mRNA were positively correlated with sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expressions of zinc homeostasis proteins(MT1G,MTF and ZIP13),GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA are downregulated in the sperm of asthenozoospermia pa-tients,and positively correlated with sperm motility.

Objective:To explore the potential impact of lipid metabolism-related single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)on semen quality in men.Methods:We selected 284 semen samples from Xingtai Infertility Hospital and Hebei Human Sperm Bank collected between February and October 2023,33 from oligozoospermia(OS),97 from asthenozoospermia(AS)and 54 from oligoas-thenozoospermia(OAS)patients and the other 100 from normal men.We performed computer-assisted semen analysis(CASA)of the samples,extracted blood DNA and,using the Mass ARRAY? System,genotyped the target genes,determined the genotypes of 13 SNPs and compared their distribution,their correlation with BMI and semen quality in different groups.Results:The mutant homozygous(TT)genotype of the FADS2 rs2727270 gene seemed to be a risk factor for AS(OR=4.420,P=0.047),while the APOA2 rs5082-A allele and MC4R rs17782313 heterozygous(TC)genotype important protective factors for OS(OR=0.422 and 0.389;P=0.045 and 0.043,respectively).A significantly higher sperm concentration was found associated with the MC4R rs17782313 heter-ozygous(TC)genotype than with the homozygous(CC)genotype.Stratification analysis showed that the protective effect of the TC genotype was decreased with increased BMI and remained with the interaction of the rs5082 and rs17782313 genotypes.Conclusion:FADS2 rs2727270,APOA2 rs5082 and MC4R rs17782313 were significantly correlated with the risk of abnormal semen parameters.

AIM To study the secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungi Candida sp.of Berberis atrocarpa Schneid.METHODS The ethyl acetate fraction and petroleum ether fraction from the secondary metabolites of Candida sp.fermentation extract were separated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and preparative liquid chromatography,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol(1),4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol(2),4-hydroxybenzoic acid(3),4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid(4),3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid(5),3-methylsulfinyl propionic acid(6),phenylacetic acid(7),(S)-N-nitroso-1-amino-p-hydroxy phenylethanol(8),2-phenylacetamide(9),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(10),ethyl 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetate(11),dibutyl phthalate(12),5,5'-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2'-diol(13),3-indolealdehyde(14),N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine(15),9-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid(16),9-hydroxy-10E,12E-octadecadienoic acid(17),(6E)-5-methylene-6-tetradecenoic acid(18).CONCLUSION Compounds 1,3-8 and 10-18 are isolated from Candida sp for the first time.

Objective:To summarize the single-center experience of serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) in children with intestinal failure.Methods:The clinical data of 13 children who underwent STEP surgery at our department from Jan 2016 to Dec 2022 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Eight children were females ,5 were males. There were 10 premature infants and 3 full-term infants. The gestational age was 26 +3-39 +5 weeks, and the birth weight was 860 -3 700 g. The median age of surgery was 12 months, the median length of small intestine was 70 (50-130) cm, the diameter of preoperative intestinal dilation was about 4.5 to 7.5 cm, and the operation interval was 2.5 to 3.0 cm. Continuous transverse enteroenteroplasty resulted in an average increase of 75% (66% to 100%) in the length of the dilated intestinal segment. The total length of the small intestine increases by 16.0% (12.5%-30.0%). After the operation, 12 of the 13 children (92.3%) were removed from parenteral nutrition to achieve intestinal adaptation of the remaining bowel, and the mean time of withdrawal from parenteral nutrition was 138(20-1 011) days after the operation. Intestinal dilatation occurred in 2 patients, and gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 4 patients, which healed after conservative treatment. Conclusions:STEP operation is suitable for children with short intestinal length and obvious expansion of intestinal tube. STEP can not only reduce the diameter of the enlarged intestine, but also extend the length of the intestine, increase the feeding tolerance, improve the clinical effect of enteral nutrition, and shorten the time for children to achieve intestinal adaptation.