BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Ferroptosis has received great attention as an iron-dependent programmed cell death for efficient cancer therapy. However, with the accumulation of iron in tumor cells, the antioxidant system is activated by reducing glutathione (GSH) with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which critically limits the ferroptosis therapeutic effect. Herein, an iron and GPX4 silencing siRNA (siGPX4) co-encapsulated ferritin nanocage (HFn@Fe/siGPX4) was developed to enhance ferroptosis by disruption of redox homeostasis and inhibition of antioxidant enzyme synergistically. The siGPX4 were loaded into the nanocages by pre-incubated with iron, which could significantly improve the loading efficiency of the gene drugs when compared with the reported gene drug loading strategy by ferritin nanocages. And more iron was overloaded into the ferritin through the diffusion method. When HFn@Fe/siGPX4 was taken up by human breast cancer cell MCF-7 in a TfR1-mediated pathway, the excess iron ions in the drug delivery system could for one thing induce ferroptosis by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), for another promote siGPX4 escaping from the lysosome to exert gene silencing effect more effectively. Both the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that HFn@Fe/siGPX4 could significantly inhibit tumor growth by synergistical ferroptosis. Thus, the developed HFn@Fe/siGPX4 afforded a combined ferroptosis strategy for ferroptosis-based antitumor as well as a novel and efficient gene drug delivery system.

Recent studies have indicated that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 51 (USP51), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that mediates protein degradation as part of the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS), is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling networks involved in USP51-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes remain largely unknown. The present study provides evidence of USP51's functions as the prominent DUB in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. At the molecular level, ectopic expression of USP51 stabilized the 78 kDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) protein through deubiquitination, thereby increasing its expression and localization on the cell surface. Furthermore, the upregulation of cell surface GRP78 increased the activity of ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), the main efflux pump of doxorubicin (DOX), ultimately decreasing its accumulation in TNBC cells and promoting the development of drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, we found significant correlations among USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 expression in TNBC patients with chemoresistance. Elevated USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 levels were also strongly associated with a poor patient prognosis. Importantly, we revealed an alternative intervention for specific pharmacological targeting of USP51 for TNBC cell chemosensitization. In conclusion, these findings collectively indicate that the USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 network is a key contributor to the malignant progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of TNBC cells, underscoring the pivotal role of USP51 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer management.

Glioma represents the most prevalent malignant tumor of the central nervous system, with chemotherapy serving as an essential adjunctive treatment. However, most chemotherapeutic agents exhibit limited ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This study introduced a novel dual-targeting strategy for glioma therapy by modulating the formation of nanobody-driven protein coronas to enhance the brain and tumor-targeting efficiency of hydrophobic cisplatin prodrug-loaded lipid nanoparticles (C8Pt-Ls). Specifically, nanobodies (Nbs) with fibrinogen-binding capabilities were conjugated to the surface of C8Pt-Ls, resulting in the generation of Nb-C8Pt-Ls. Within the bloodstream, Nb-C8Pt-Ls could bound more fibrinogen, forming the protein corona that specifically interacted with LRP-1, a receptor highly expressed on the BBB. This interaction enabled a "Hitchhiking Effect" mechanism, facilitating efficient trans-BBB transport and promoting effective brain targeting. Additionally, the protein corona interacted with LRP-1, which is also overexpressed in glioma cells, achieving precise tumor targeting. Computational simulations and SPR detection clarified the molecular interaction mechanism of the Nb-fibrinogen-(LRP-1) complex, confirming its binding specificity and stability. Our results demonstrated that this strategy significantly enhanced C8Pt accumulation in brain tissues and tumors, induced apoptosis in glioma cells, and improved therapeutic efficacy. This study provides a novel framework for glioma therapy and underscores the potential of protein corona modulation-based dual-targeting strategies in advancing treatments for brain tumors.

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are linked to numerous chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease, and type II diabetes. Previous research identified the natural flavonoid diosmin, derived from Chrysanthemum morifolium, as a regulator of glucose metabolism. However, its effects on lipid metabolism and underlying mechanisms remained unexplored. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway serves a critical function in glucose and lipid metabolism. The relationship between diosmin and the AMPK pathway has not been previously documented. This investigation examined diosmin's capacity to reduce lipid content through AMPK pathway activation in hepatoblastoma cell line G2 (HepG2) and 3T3-L1 cells. The study revealed that diosmin inhibits lipogenesis, indicating its potential as an anti-obesity agent in obese mice. Moreover, diosmin demonstrated effective MASLD alleviation in vivo. These findings suggest that diosmin may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for treating obesity and MASLD.
Diosmin/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/enzymology* ; Mice ; Obesity/enzymology* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Male ; 3T3-L1 Cells ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Chrysanthemum/chemistry* ; Lipogenesis/drug effects*

Objective To investigate the signal abnormality of conus medullaris in patients with overactive bladder(OAB)and un-deractive bladder(UAB)by MRI diffusion tensor imaging(DTI). Methods From May,2021 to April,2023,23 patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction without trauma and supraspi-nal lesions were enrolled(case group).All patients underwent imaging urodynamics and pelvic floor electromy-ography.Based on the bladder contraction during the filling phase of urodynamics,the patients were divided into UAB group and OAB group.Eight healthy subjects were included as the control group.All participants under-went T10 to L5 spinal segment MRI scans and DTI scans.The position of conus medullaris was determined by comparing the DTI sequences with the MRI scans.The fractional anisotropy(FA),apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),and relative anisotropy(RA)of the conus medullaris intermediate segment were compared. Results Twelve cases were in UAB group,and eleven in OAB goup.Abnormalities were found in the pelvic floor elec-tromyography in the case group.There was significant difference in sacral reflex arc nerve conduction testing be-tween UAB and OAB groups(P = 0.036).Compared with the control group,ADC increased(t = 2.185,P = 0.037)in the case group;FA decreased(t = 3.439,P = 0.005)and ADC increased(t = 4.582,P<0.001)in UAB group. Conclusion DTI is helpful to find the potential lesion of spinal cord in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.FA and ADC are valuable indicators for the diagnosis of conus medullaris injury.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of ANCA-associated vasculitic neuropathy (VN) and analyze the predictors of treatment outcomes.Methods:Retrospective case series. In all, 652 consecutive patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis were admitted to the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2006 and December 2022. Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 91 patients. Patients were excluded if other known causes of neuropathy were present. Sixty-one patients were eventually enrolled, including 17 with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), 11 with granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA), and 33 with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Their clinical data were collected and clinical characteristics, VN manifestations, electrophysiological findings (including interside amplitude ratio [IAR]), and treatment outcomes were compared among the three subsets of AAV. Then, factors influencing the treatment outcomes were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results:Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 62.1%(18/29) of EGPA, 8.3%(15/180) of GPA, and 13.1%(58/443) of MPA patients. The age at onset and examination was higher in patients with MPA than those with EGPA or GPA ( P<0.01). The occurrence of VN was later in patients with GPA than those with EGPA ( P<0.01), and the GPA group had fewer affected nerves than the other two groups ( P<0.016). The abnormal IARs of motor nerves in lower limbs were more detected in the EGPA than the MPA group ( P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis suggested that higher Birmingham vasculitis activity score-version 3 (BVAS-V3) ( OR=6.85, 95% CI 1.33-35.30) was associated with better treatment outcomes of VN. However, central nervous system involvement was a risk factor for poor treatment outcomes ( OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.89). Conclusions:The clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of VN were slightly different among subsets of AAV. Patients with GPA often presented with polyneuropathy and had fewer nerves affected; mononeuritis multiplex was more common in EGPA than GPA and MPA. Higher BVAS-V3 and central nervous system involvement might predict the treatment outcome of VN.

Objective To investigate the effects of chronic starvation stress on the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods By using prolonged serum starvation to simulate chronic starvation stress in tumor cells, we established enduring serum-deprived models of SW480 and DLD-1 cells and observed cellular morphological change. Effects of prolonged serum starvation on SW480 and DLD-1 proliferative and migratory capabilities were assessed using CCK-8 and Transwell assays. Differential gene-expression analysis on SW480 cultured with 1% FBS or 10% FBS medium was followed by GO and KEGG pathway assessments. Migration-related protein interactions were explored using String database and Metascape software, leading to 16 genes being selected for RT-qPCR validation. Protein levels of ITGB1 and key molecules in the relevant pathways were measured. Mobility changes in SW480 were observed through Transwell assay after ITGB1 knockdown or STAT3 inhibition. Results Prolonged serum starvation significantly inhibited the proliferation of SW480 and DLD-1 cells, and DLD-1 mobility, while enhanced SW480 migration. Transcriptome analysis revealed that prolonged serum deprivation caused the upregulation of 3016 genes, among which 283 were involved in cell migration. Metascape analysis identified the correlations among potential core genes ITGB1, CD44, TNS1, STAT3, etc. Prolonged serum deprivation increased the mRNA levels of VTN, TNS1, VEGFA, STAT3, and ITGB1 while also increasing the protein levels of ITGB1 and MMP2 and the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3. Mobility reduction in prolonged serum-starved SW480 cells was achieved through ITGB1 knockdown or a STAT3 inhibitor. Conclusion Colorectal cancer cells can endure chronic starvation stress which enhances migration capability by upregulating ITGB1 expression.

Objective To investigate the clinical application of three-dimensional intracavitary/free-hand interstitial brachytherapy technique in radical radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of patients with cervical cancer who underwent radical radiotherapy using CT-guided three-dimensional intracavitary/free-hand interstitial brachytherapy technique in The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from April 2019 to September 2021. The short-term efficacy and adverse reactions were analyzed, and the independent predictors affecting short-term efficacy were evaluated by logistic risk regression model. Results A total of 182 patients were included, and all patients successfully completed the treatment. Clinical efficacy assessment performed 3 months after treatment revealed an overall response rate of 90.65%; the incidence of grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions in the lower gastrointestinal tract was 4.4% during treatment. After reclassifying stage IIIC patients according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 staging system and including factors affecting the stage, it was found that the tumor volume before brachytherapy was the main factor affecting the clinical efficacy of patients at this stage (P = 0.004). Conclusion As a key method in radical radiotherapy for cervical cancer, three-dimensional intracavitary/free-hand interstitial brachytherapy technique is safe and effective and can be quickly popularized in primary hospitals beyond regional cancer centers for cervical cancer brachytherapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations of nodo-paranodopathy(NPP)with anti-neurofascin 186(NF186)antibody positive.Methods The clinical data of a NPP patient with cranial nerve damage caused by anti-NF186 antibody positive was retrospectively analyzed.Results The patient was a 70-year-old male with sudden speech disorder and dysphagia one month ago.Glucocorticoid therapy was discontinued after improvement.The patient's speech,swallowing,chewing,bristling,turning and head-up movements were laborious and progressively aggravated 5 days ago.The EMG examination of the limbs was normal,and the serum and CSF anti-NF186 antibody were positive.The curative effect of glucocorticoid treatment was not obvious,and the symptoms were significantly improved after plasma exchange treatment.Conclusions Anti-NF186 antibody-positive NPP has late onset age,severe illness and accompanied with cranial nerves damage.Conventional hormone therapy is not effective,but plasma exchange therapy is effective.