Protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a pivotal phenomenon intricately linked to cellular processes, is regulated by various other proteins. However, there is still a lack of high-throughput methods for screening protein regulators of LLPS in target proteins. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based screening method to identify protein phase separation regulators by integrating bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using this newly developed method, we screened the RNA-binding proteins that regulate PABPN1 phase separation and identified the tumor suppressor QKI as a promoter of PABPN1 phase separation. Furthermore, QKI exhibits decreased expression levels and diminished nuclear localization in colorectal cancer cells, resulting in reduced PABPN1 phase separation, which, in turn, promotes alternative polyadenylation (APA), cell proliferation, and migration in colorectal cancer.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Poly(A)-Binding Protein I/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Flow Cytometry ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine turbid phlegm obstructing lung decoction on patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)and its influence on laboratory indexes.Methods A total of 191 patients with AECOPD who were hospitalized in the First People's Hospital of Changde from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected.Patients were divided into observation group(96 cases)and control group(95 cases)according to their treatment intention.The control group received conventional treatment of western medicine,and the observation group received oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine turbid phlegm obstructing lung decoction for one week.TCM symptom scores,COPD assessment test(CAT),lung function,laboratory indicators and efficacy were compared between two groups.Results The total effective rate of observation group was significantly higher than that of control group(χ2=4.573,P=0.030).After treatment,TCM symptom score,CAT score,hypersensitive C-reaction protein(hsCRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6)of patients in both groups were significantly lower than before treatment,percentage of forced vital capacity to predicted value(FVC%)and percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second to predicted value(FEV1%)were significantly higher than before treatment(P<0.05),arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2)of observation group was lower than before treatment,and arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)was higher than before treatment(P<0.05).The TCM symptom score,CAT score,hsCRP and IL-6 of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group,while FVC%,FEV1%and PaO2 were significantly higher than those of control group(P<0.05).Conclusion On the basis of western medicine treatment,traditional Chinese medicine turbid phlegm obstructing lung decoction can more effectively improve clinical symptoms of AECOPD patients,relieve the inflammation in the body,contribute to the recovery of lung function and improve the quality of life of patients.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,molecular genetics and prognosis of high grade B cell lymphoma with concurrent MYC rearrangement and 11q aberra-tions(HGBCL-MYC-11q).MethodsThree cases of HGBCL-MYC-11q were reviewed and analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining,immunohistochemistry,EBER in situ hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization.Clinical data were collected with follow-up.Results All three patients were male,age was 10,61,and 74 years,respectively.All patients had Ann Arbor stage Ⅳ disease.All three cases were biopsies occurring in the nasopharynx,upper pharynx and ileocecus,respectively.Three cases were morphologically similar to diffuse infiltrative growth of tumor cells,moderate or moderately large cells,round to slightly irregular nuclei and easily visible mitotic figures.Focal necrosis was noted in one case.One case exhibited the distinct"starry sky"pattern.All cases expressed CD20,BCL6 and MUM1 and high Ki67 index,two cases expressed CD10 and two cases ex-pressed BCL2.CD3,CD30 and TDT were all negative.EBER in situ hybridization was all negative.FISH analyses using C-MYC break-apart probes were all positive and all cases had 11q aberrations.One case only had the 11q23.3 amplification;and one case only had the 11q24.3 loss.After a follow-up for 1-18 months,one patient died and two patients survived with disease.ConclusionHGBCL-MYC-11q is rare,morphologically similar to BL/HGBCL,with MYC rearrangement and 11q abnormali-ties.We should enhance awareness of the disease and improve more accurate diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the disease.

Objective:To investigate the surgical situations and perioperative outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy in Jiangsu Province and the influencing factors for postoperative 90-day mortality.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 2 886 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in 21 large tertiary hospitals of Jiangsu Quality Control Center for Pancreatic Diseases, including The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from March 2021 to December 2022 were collected. There were 1 732 males and 1 154 females, aged 65(57,71)years. Under the framework of the Jiangsu Provincial Pancreatic Disease Quality Control Project, the Jiangsu Quality Control Center for Pancreatic Diseases adopted a multi-center registration research method to establish a provincial electronic database for pancrea-ticoduodenectomy. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics; (2) intraoperative and post-operative conditions; (3) influencing factors for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(IQR), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or constituent ratio, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test, continuity correction chi-square test and Fisher exact probability. Maximal Youden index method was used to determine the cutoff value of continuous variables. Univariate analysis was performed using the corresponding statistical methods based on data types. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Logistic multiple regression model. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics. Of the 2 886 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, there were 1 175 and 1 711 cases in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Of the 21 hospitals, 8 hospitals had an average annual surgical volume of <36 cases for pancreaticoduodenectomy, 10 hospitals had an average annual surgical volume of 36-119 cases, and 3 hospitals had an average annual surgical volume of ≥120 cases. There were 2 584 cases performed pancreaticoduodenectomy in thirteen hospitals with an average annual surgical volume of ≥36 cases, accounting for 89.536%(2 584/2 886)of the total cases. There were 1 357 cases performed pancrea-ticoduodenectomy in three hospitals with an average annual surgical volume of ≥120 cases, accounting for 47.020%(1 357/2 886) of the total cases. (2) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions. Of the 2 886 patients, the surgical approach was open surgery in 2 397 cases, minimally invasive surgery in 488 cases, and it is unknown in 1 case. The pylorus was preserved in 871 cases, not preserved in 1 952 cases, and it is unknown in 63 cases. Combined organ resection was performed in 305 cases (including vascular resection in 209 cases), not combined organ resection in 2 579 cases, and it is unknown in 2 cases. The operation time of 2 885 patients was 290(115)minutes, the volume of intra-operative blood loss of 2 882 patients was 240(250)mL, and the intraoperative blood transfusion rate of 2 880 patients was 27.153%(782/2 880). Of the 2 886 patients, the invasive treatment rate was 11.342%(327/2 883), the unplanned Intensive Care Unit (ICU) treatment rate was 3.087%(89/2 883), the reoperation rate was 1.590%(45/2 830), the duration of postoperative hospital stay was 17(11)days, the hospitalization mortality rate was 0.798%(23/2 882), and the failure rate of rescue data in 2 083 cases with severe complications was 6.529%(19/291). There were 2 477 patients receiving postoperative 90-day follow-up, with the 90-day mortality of 2.705%(67/2477). The total incidence rate of complication in 2 886 patients was 58.997%(1 423/2 412). The incidence rate of severe complication was 13.970%(291/2 083). The comprehensive complication index was 8.7(22.6) in 2 078 patients. (3) Influencing factors for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Results of multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 70 years, postoperative invasive treatment, and unplanned ICU treatment were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy ( odds ratio=2.403, 2.609, 16.141, 95% confidence interval as 1.281-4.510, 1.298-5.244, 7.119-36.596, P<0.05). Average annual surgical volume ≥36 cases in the hospital was an independent protective factor for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy ( odds ratio=0.368, 95% confidence interval as 0.168-0.808, P<0.05). Conclusions:Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Jiangsu Province is highly con-centrated in some hospitals, with a high incidence of postoperative complications, and the risk of postoperative 90-day mortality is significant higher than that of hospitallization mortality. Age ≥ 70 years, postoperative invasive treatment, and unplanned ICU treatment are independent risk factors for 90-day motality after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and average annual surgical volume ≥36 cases in the hospital is an independent protective factor.

Cadmium (Cd) is a common heavy metal in the environment. Cd²⁺ may penetrate the blood-brain barrier and produce neurotoxicity, thus inducing various neurodegenerative diseases. Celastrol is an effective component of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F., which has many pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. Here we explored the effect of celastrol on the corresponding neurotoxicity induced by Cd²⁺. Cell proliferation test, cell membrane integrity test, and cell morphology were observed to analyze the effect of Cd²⁺ on the viability of HMC3. The neurotoxicity of Cd²⁺ and the effect of celastrol on the corresponding neurotoxicity induced by Cd²⁺ were analyzed by nitric oxide (NO) test, lipid peroxidation (MDA) test, and Western blotting. When the concentration of Cd²⁺ reached 40 μmol/L, the inhibition rate of HMC3 cell proliferation was (57.17±8.23)% (P < 0.01, n=5), compared with the control group. The cell activity continued to reduce when the Cd²⁺ concentration further increased. When the concentration of Cd²⁺ was higher than 40 μmol/L, the cell membrane of HMC3 was significantly damaged, and the damage was dose-dependent. Upon increasing the Cd²⁺ concentration, the cell morphology began to change and the adhesion also became worse. Cd²⁺ significantly increased the amount of NO released by HMC3 cells, while celastrol effectively inhibited the NO release of HMC3 cells induced by Cd²⁺. Cd²⁺ greatly increased the release of MDA in HMC3 cells, and the level of MDA decreased rapidly upon the addition of 10^-7 mol/L celastrol. Cd²⁺ increased the expression of p-PI3K protein, and the levels of p-PI3K protein and p-AKT protein were inhibited by the addition of celastrol (10^‒7 mol/L, 10^‒6 mol/L), thus preventing cell apoptosis. In conclusion, celastrol inhibits Cd²⁺ induced microglial cytotoxicity and plays a neuroprotective role.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis ; Cadmium/toxicity* ; Nitric Oxide/pharmacology* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology*

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological significance of BRAF V600E and CTNNB1 gene mutations in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACP) and papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCP). Methods: The retrospective study included a total of 67 craniopharyngiomas diagnosed from October 2009 to August 2018 at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. The immunohistochemical staining for β-catenin and BRAF V600E expression, Sanger sequencing of exon 3 of CTNNB1, BRAF mutation analysis by scorpions amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) fluorescence quantitative PCR were performed. Univariate survival analysis was used to correlate with tumor recurrence. Results: Of the 67 patients, 53 were ACPs and 14 were PCPs. Four patients underwent multiple operations and one of them presented with malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma. Histologically, ACPs were characterized by whorl-like cell clusters, peripheral palisaded layer, stellate reticulum, finger-shaped protrusions, ghost cells and wet keratinous substances. While PCPs usually consisted of mature squamous epithelium associated with fibrovascular stroma resulting in papillary appearance. The nuclear immunopositivity for β-catenin was observed in 73.6% (39/53) of ACPs, and it was absent in PCPs (0/14). The nuclear translocation of β-catenin usually presented at whorl-like structures or around ghost cells. Of all the cases, mutations analysis in exon 3 of β-catenin gene CTNNB1 were successful in 46 cases and 42.1% (16/38) of ACP showed CTNNB1 gene mutation, while none of the PCPs harbored CTNNB1 gene mutation (0/8). The cytoplasmic immunopositivity for BRAF V600E mutant protein was found in all PCPs (14/14) and negative in all ACPs (0/53). ARMS-PCR results showed that BRAF V600E mutations were observed in 13/14 of PCPs but not seen in ACPs (0/53). Follow-up data were available in 35 patients with duration of 2 to 120 months. Ten patients experienced recurrences after the first surgery. Upon univariate survival analysis, only subtotal excision was found to be associated with increased recurrence (P=0.032), while pathological type, postoperative radiotherapy and CTNNB1 gene mutation were not (P>0.05). Conclusions There is significant difference in the expression of BRAF V600E and CTNNB1 genes between ACP and PCP, and their immunohistochemical and molecular detection therefore can be used in the diagnosis and differential diagnoses of craniopharyngiomas.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological significance of BRAF V600E and CTNNB1 gene mutations in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACP) and papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCP). Methods The retrospective study included a total of 67 craniopharyngiomas diagnosed from October 2009 to August 2018 at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. The immunohistochemical staining for β?catenin and BRAF V600E expression, Sanger sequencing of exon 3 of CTNNB1, BRAF mutation analysis by scorpions amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) fluorescence quantitative PCR were performed. Univariate survival analysis was used to correlate with tumor recurrence. Results Of the 67 patients, 53 were ACPs and 14 were PCPs. Four patients underwent multiple operations and one of them presented with malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma. Histologically, ACPs were characterized by whorl?like cell clusters, peripheral palisaded layer, stellate reticulum, finger?shaped protrusions, ghost cells and wet keratinous substances. While PCPs usually consisted of mature squamous epithelium associated with fibrovascular stroma resulting in papillary appearance. The nuclear immunopositivity for β?catenin was observed in 73.6% (39/53) of ACPs, and it was absent in PCPs (0/14). The nuclear translocation of β?catenin usually presented at whorl?like structures or around ghost cells. Of all the cases, mutations analysis in exon 3 of β?catenin gene CTNNB1 were successful in 46 cases and 42.1% (16/38) of ACP showed CTNNB1 gene mutation, while none of the PCPs harbored CTNNB1 gene mutation (0/8). The cytoplasmic immunopositivity for BRAF V600E mutant protein was found in all PCPs (14/14) and negative in all ACPs (0/53). ARMS?PCR results showed that BRAF V600E mutations were observed in 13/14 of PCPs but not seen in ACPs (0/53). Follow?up data were available in 35 patients with duration of 2 to 120 months. Ten patients experienced recurrences after the first surgery. Upon univariate survival analysis, only subtotal excision was found to be associated with increased recurrence (P=0.032), while pathological type, postoperative radiotherapy and CTNNB1 gene mutation were not (P>0.05). Conclusions There is significant difference in the expression of BRAF V600E and CTNNB1 genes between ACP and PCP, and their immunohistochemical and molecular detection therefore can be used in the diagnosis and differential diagnoses of craniopharyngiomas.

Objective To investigate the effects of type 2 diabetes on learning and memory of APP/PS1/Tau triple transgenic (3 × Tg) mice of Alzheimer’s disease, and the protective mechanism of liraglutide (LIR) thereof. Methods One month old C57BL/6 mice were set to be control group (WT). One month old 3×Tg mice were divided into control group (Tg), liraglutide group (Tg+LIR), type 2 diabetes group (Tg+T2DM) and liraglutide treatment group (Tg+T2DM+LIR). The model of T2DM was established by feeding the high fat and sugar fodder, and then injecting streptozotocin (STZ) in mice, making sure the fasting blood glucose was more than 7 mmol/L. Then the subcutaneous injection of LIR was administered for 2 months. The values of body weight and fasting blood glucose were detected at age of 5-month. Morris water maze was applied to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability. Western blotting assay was used to measure the levels of phosphorylated Tau, neurofilament (NFs) and insulin receptor substrates. ELISA was used to detect the human Aβ42 to evaluate the effect of LIR on-amyloid. Results LIR can reduce body weight and blood glucose, can alleviate spatial learning and memory damaging caused by T2DM, and also can improve phosphorylated Tau levels, NFs and insulin receptor substrates caused by T2DM, and finally can reduce the deposition ofβ-amyloid of 3 × Tg mice. Conclusion T2DM can aggravate symptoms of AD in 3×Tg mice, and LIR has a protective effect on it.

A Co2+ ion-mediated formaldehyde imprinted polymer ( MIP) was prepared by coordination polymerization method in present work and its surface structure characterized by using IR spectrum and scanning electron microscope ( SEM). Inversed phase gas chromatography ( IGC) technique using this formaldehyde imprinted polymer as stationary phase was utilized to investigate on the retention selectivity, isotherm adsorption and adsorption thermodynamics for this imprint material toward the template and its structural analogue. Also, the ability of this polymer in the removal of formaldehyde from room atmosphere was explored. Results indicated that the capacity of the template on the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) column was much higher than that of aldehyde and the lower column temperature and flow rate of carrier gas was beneficial for the selective retention of imprint material toward the template molecule, possessing a higher capacity factor of 61. 1 for the template and a higher separation factor of 10. 66 for this imprint polymer toward formaldehyde and aldehyde under the optimized chromatographic conditions ( column temperature: 363 K;flow rate of carrier gase: 7. 0 mL/ min; injection volume: 3. 0 μL). An approximate linear adsorption isotherm for the template and a BET Ⅲ one for the analogue on the MIPs was observed. In addition, this molecularly imprinted polymer was shown with higher capability in the removal of formaldehyde from room atmosphere.

Objective To study the value of three-dimensional (3D) visualization and virtual surgery system in piggyback liver transplantation. Methods Two patients who suffered from choledocholithiasis were scanned by 64-slice spiral CT and the data were collected. The segmentation of the hepatic CT images was carried out. The 3D model of the liver and the intrahepatic vessels was reconstructed, and was imported to the FreeForm Modeling System in STL format for smoothing and modifying. Piggyback liver transplantation was simulated with the force-feedback equipment (PHANToM). Results The reconstructed 3D model of the liver was vivid, and the process of the virtual piggyback liver transplantation was verisimilar. Conclusions The 3D model of the liver enables the simulation of piggyback liver transplantation. It can reduce the risk and complications of the surgery, and enhance the communication between doctor and patient through designing surgical plan and demonstrating visualized operation before surgery. Virtual liver transplantation is also helpful during the training of medical workers.