Objective: To investigate the correlation among α2, 6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal-Ⅰ), CD36 desialylation, and caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in phorbol ester (PMA)-induced MEG-01 cell model, as well as their potential mechanism in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Methods: MEG-01 cells were treated with 10 ng/mL PMA for 48 hours (control group: 0.1% DMSO). Flow cytometry was used to detect cell surface markers: desialylation (CD41 RCA ) and α2, 6-sialylation (CD41 SNA ). Western blot was performed to analyze the protein expressions of ST6Gal-Ⅰ, CD36, and Cav-1. Results: Flow cytometry analysis revealed that, compared with the control group (set as 100%), the proportion of CD41 RCA positive cells in the MEG-01 cells after PMA intervention significantly increased to (127.79±2.01)%, while the proportion of CD41 SNA positive cells significantly decreased to (78.09±1.76)% (both P<0.05). Western blot analysis results showed that, compared with the control group, PMA intervention significantly downregulated the expression of ST6Gal-Ⅰ protein (0.602±0.023 vs 0.768±0.068) and Cav-1 protein (1.012±0.028 vs 1.253±0.068) (both P<0.05), while significantly upregulating the expression of CD36 protein (0.936±0.033 vs 0.694±0.070, P<0.05). Conclusion: PMA can significantly inhibit the expression of ST6Gal-Ⅰ, accompanied by increased desialylation (β-galactose exposure), elevated CD36, and downregulated Cav-1. These changes suggest that the increased exposure of CD36 antigen and the disorder of membrane microenvironment may be involved in the pathological process of ITP, providing a new direction for mechanism research.

Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GQD) is a classic prescription for the clinical treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC). This study, based on the differences in efficacy observed in UC mice under different level of bile acids treated with GQD, aims to clarify the impact of bile acids on UC and its therapeutic effects. It further investigates the expression of bile acid receptors in the liver of UC mice, and preliminarily reveals the mechanism through which GQD affects bile acid synthesis in the treatment of UC. A UC mouse model was established using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) induction. The efficacy of GQD was evaluated by assessing the general condition, disease activity index(DAI) score, colon length, and histopathological changes in colon tissue via hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. ELISA and Western blot were used to evaluate the inflammatory response in colon tissue. The total bile acid(TBA) level and liver damage were quantified using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. The expression levels of bile acid receptors and bile acid synthetases in liver tissue were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR. The results showed that compared with the model group, GQD treatment significantly improved the DAI score, colon shortening, and histopathological damage in UC mice. The levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 in the colon were significantly reduced. Serum TBA levels were significantly decreased, while alkaline phosphatase(ALP) levels significantly increased. After administration of cholic acid(CA), UC symptoms in the CA + GQD group were significantly aggravated compared with the GQD group. The DAI score, degree of weight loss, colon injury, serum TBA, and liver injury markers all increased significantly. However, compared with the CA group, the CA + GQD group showed a marked reduction in TBA levels and a significant improvement in UC-related symptoms, indicating that GQD can alleviate UC damage exacerbated by CA. Further investigation into the expression of bile acid receptors and synthetases in the liver showed that under GQD treatment, the expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR) and small heterodimer partner(SHP) significantly increased, while the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 5(TGR5) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(Cyp7A1) significantly decreased. These findings suggest that GQD may affect bile acid receptors and synthetases, inhibiting bile acid synthesis through the FXR/SHP pathway to treat UC.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Bile Acids and Salts/biosynthesis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Male ; Humans ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism* ; Colon/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

This study investigates the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of Compound Ziyin Granules(CZYG) on postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP) induced by bilateral ovariectomy in rats. Six-month-old female SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated(sham) group, ovariectomy(OVX) model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose CZYG groups, and alendronate sodium(AS) group. After 30 days of model establishment, treatment was administered by gavage once daily for 8 weeks, followed by sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of calcium ions, alkaline phosphatase(AKP), estrogen(E_2), osteoprotegerin(OPG), osteocalcin(BGP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP), and type Ⅰ procollagen N-terminal propeptide(PINP). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the femurs of rats, while micro-computed tomography(micro-CT) was used to analyze the microstructure of the distal femur. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the expression levels of bone metabolism-related proteins, including wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2(Wnt2), β-catenin, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5(LRP5), glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β). The mRNA expression levels of Wnt2, β-catenin, LRP5, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β were determined by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR). Thirty days after bilateral ovariectomy, compared to the sham group, the OVX group showed significant increases in body weight and significant decreases in uterine coefficient. After 8 weeks of treatment, compared to the OVX group, CZYG(medium and high doses) and AS reduced body weight, with high-dose CZYG and AS significantly increasing the uterine coefficient. Serum levels of AKP and TRAP were significantly elevated, while levels of calcium, E_2, BGP, and OPG were significantly decreased in the OVX group. Compared to the OVX group, CZYG and AS significantly reduced serum levels of AKP and TRAP, while high-dose CZYG and AS notably increased the levels of E_2, BGP, OPG, and PINP. Micro-CT and HE staining results indicated that CZYG(medium and high doses) and AS significantly increased bone tissue volume, trabecular number, bone mineral density, and improved the microstructure of the femur. Compared to the OVX group, high-dose CZYG and AS significantly upregulated the protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt2, β-catenin, and LRP5, and downregulated the phosphorylation level of p-GSK-3β. These results suggest that CZYG can improve PMOP by promoting estrogen secretion, improving bone metabolism indicators, increasing trabecular number and bone mineral density. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Animals ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/genetics* ; Rats ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/drug effects* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; beta Catenin/genetics* ; Osteoprotegerin/metabolism* ; Ovariectomy ; Calcium/blood* ; Bone Density/drug effects*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genomic characteristics and prognostic factors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with RAS mutations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of JMML children with RAS mutations treated at the Hematology Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2008 to November 2022. RESULTS: A total of 34 children were included, with 17 cases (50%) having isolated NRAS mutations, 9 cases (27%) having isolated KRAS mutations, and 8 cases (24%) having compound mutations. Compared to children with isolated NRAS mutations, those with NRAS compound mutations showed statistically significant differences in age at onset, platelet count, and fetal hemoglobin proportion (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and hepatomegaly (≥2 cm below the costal margin) were factors affecting the survival rate of JMML children with RAS mutations (P<0.05); hepatomegaly was a factor affecting survival in the non-HSCT group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with NRAS compound mutations have a later onset age compared to those with isolated NRAS mutations. At initial diagnosis, children with NRAS compound mutations have poorer peripheral platelet and fetal hemoglobin levels than those with isolated NRAS mutations. Liver size at initial diagnosis is related to the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations. HSCT can improve the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy* ; Mutation ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Infant ; GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics* ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and safety of decitabine-based myeloablative preconditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: The clinical characteristics and efficacy of 115 AML patients who underwent allo-HSCT at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from August 2018 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 37 patients treated with decitabine conditioning regimen (decitabine group) and 78 patients without decitabine conditioning regimen (non-decitabine group). The cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), overall survival (OS), leukemia-free survival (LFS), non-relapse mortality (NRM) and graft versus host disease (GVHD) were analyzed. RESULTS: For the patients in first complete remission (CR1) state before allo-HSCT, the 1-year relapse rates of decitabine group(22 cases) and non-decitabine group(69 cases) were 9.1% and 29.6%, respectively, the difference was statistically significant(P =0.042). The 1-year cumulative incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in decitabine group and non-decitabine group was 62.2% and 70.5%, respectively, and the 1-year cumulative incidence of chronic inhibitor-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was 18.9% and 14.1%, respectively, there were no significant differences in the incidence of aGVHD and cGVHD between the two groups (P >0.05). Of the 115 patients, there were no significantly differences in the 1-year CIR(21.7% vs 28.8%, P =0.866), NRM(10.9% vs 3.9%, P =0.203), OS(75.2% vs 83.8%, P =0.131) and LFS(74.6% vs 69.1%, P =0.912) between the decitabine group(37 cases) and the non-decitabine group(78 cases). CONCLUSION Decitabine-based conditioning regimen could reduce the relapse rate of AML CR1 patients with good safety.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods* ; Decitabine/therapeutic use* ; Transplantation Conditioning/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of dyskeratosis congenita (DC) in children, and to provide clinical experience for the diagnosis and treatment of DC. METHODS: The clinical data of children with dyskeratosis congenital admitted to Children's Hospital of Soochow University from May 2016 to May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed, the patients were followed up and the related literature was reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 4 patients were enrolled. There were 1 male and 3 females. Two patients had spontaneous TINF2 mutation, one had TERT mutation, and one had DKC1 mutation. All of them had bone marrow hypoplasia. Two patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and both had good engraftment. Anti-rejection drugs were stopped, and they survived more than 5 years of follow-up. One patient was followed up in outpatient department, and another patient was scheduled to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. CONCLUSION The onset of dyskeratosis congenita in children is insidious, so genetic diagnosis is particularly important. c.853_861delGTCATGCTG (p.285-287del) was a new mutation site of TINF2, which expanded the gene mutation spectrum of DC. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment for bone marrow failure, and the treatment of other organ complications depends on further genetic exploration.
Humans ; Dyskeratosis Congenita/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Male ; Mutation ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Telomerase/genetics* ; Telomere-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Child ; Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics* ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Child, Preschool ; Prognosis ; Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and adverse reactions of CAG regimen combined with venetoclax, chidamide, and azacitidine in the treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: 15 elderly AML patients aged≥60 years old who were admitted to the Hematology Department of our hospital from May 2022 to October 2023 were treated with the CAG regimen combined with venetoclax, chidamide and azacitidine, and the efficacy, treatment-related adverse events, overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were analyzed. RESULTS: After one course of treatment, 11 out of 15 patients achieved complete response (CR), 3 patients achieved CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), and 1 patient died due to prior infection before efficacy evaluation, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 93.3% (14/15). The median follow-up time was 131 (19-275) days, with median OS and EFS both remaining unreached. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis showed that among the 15 patients, 13 were detected with gene mutations, and there were 7 genes with mutation frequencies of more than 10%, including ASXL1 (4 cases), RUNX1 (4 cases), BCOR (3 cases), DNMT3A (3 cases), STAG2 (2 cases), IDH1/2 (2 cases), and TET (2 cases). Among the 13 patients with detectable mutations, 12 patients achieved composite response (CR+CRi). The average recovery time of white blood cell count was 14.6 days after chemotherapy, and the average recovery time of platelets was 7.7 days after chemotherapy. The main adverse event was myelosuppression, with 10 patients accompanied by infection. Except for 1 patient who died due to septic shock during chemotherapy, no patients experienced serious complications such as heart, liver, or kidney damage during the treatment process. CONCLUSION The CACAG+V regimen, which combines the CAG regimen with venetoclax, chidamide, and azacitidine, can be applied in the treatment of elderly AML patients, demonstrating good safety and induction remission rate.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use* ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Aminopyridines/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Azacitidine/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Benzamides/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Cytarabine ; Aclarubicin ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible associations between physical function assessment scales, such as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), with all-cause mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients. METHODS: A total of 108 ADHF patients were analyzed from October 2020 to October 2022, and followed up to May 2023. The association between baseline clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality was analyzed by univariate Cox regression analysis, while for SPPB and BBS, univariate Cox regression analysis was followed by receiver operating characteristic curves, in which the area under the curve represented their predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality. Incremental predictive values for both physical function assessments were measured by calculating net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement scores. Optimal cut-off value for BBS was then identified using restricted cubic spline plots, and survival differences below and above that cut-off were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. The clinical utility of BBS was measured using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: For baseline characteristics, age, female, blood urea nitrogen, as well as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, were predictive for all-cause mortality for ADHF patients. With respect to SPPB and BBS, higher scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality rates for both assessments; similar area under the curves were measured for both (0.774 for SPPB and 0.776 for BBS). Furthermore, BBS ≤ 36.5 was associated with significantly higher mortality, which was still applicable even adjusting for confounding factors; BBS was also found to have great clinical utility under decision curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS BBS or SPPB could be used as tools to assess physical function in ageing ADHF patients, as well as prognosticate on all-cause mortality. Moreover, prioritizing the improvement of balance capabilities of ADHF patients in cardiac rehabilitation regimens could aid in lowering mortality risk.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying molecular mechanism of Modified Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan (MHW) in alleviating renal lesions in mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into model group and MHW group according to a random number table, while db/m mice were settled as the control group (n=8 per group). The control and model groups were gavaged daily with distilled water [10 mL/(kg·d)], and the MHW group was treated with MHW [17.8 g/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks. After MHW administration for 6 weeks, indicators associated with glucolipid metabolism and urinary albumin were tested. Podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Kidney transcriptomics was performed after confirming therapeutic effects of MHW on DKD mice. The relevant target of MHW' effect in DKD was further determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, MHW improved glucose and lipid metabolism (P<0.05), and reduced lipid deposition in the kidney. Meanwhile, MHW reduced the excretion of urinary albumin (P<0.05) and ameliorated renal damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the inflammation response, particularly the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, may be responsible for the effect of MHW on DKD. Furtherly, our results found that MHW inhibited IL-17A and alleviated early fibrosis in the diabetic kidney. CONCLUSION MHW ameliorated renal damage in DKD via inhibiting IL-17A, suggesting a potential strategy for DKD therapy.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/genetics* ; Interleukin-17/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Kidney/ultrastructure* ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Albuminuria ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of colon dialysis with Yishen Decoction (YS) in improving the autophagy disorder of intestinal epithelial cells in chronic renal failure (CRF) in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, CRF, and colonic dialysis with YS groups by a random number table method (n=10). The CRF model was established by orally gavage of adenine 200 mg/(kg•d) for 4 weeks. CRF rats in the YS group were treated with colonic dialysis using YS 20 g/(kg•d) for 14 consecutive days. The serum creatinine (SCr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of kidney and colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Autophagosome changes in colonic epithelial cells was observed with electron microscopy. In vitro experiments, human colon cancer epithelial cells (T84) were cultured and divided into normal, urea model (74U), YS colon dialysis, autophagy activator rapamycin (Ra), autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and SIRT1 activator resveratrol (Re) groups. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), LC3, and Beclin-1 both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Colonic dialysis with YS decreased SCr and BUN levels in CRF rats (P<0.05), and alleviated the pathological changes of renal and colon tissues. Expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, Claudin-1, Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the YS group compared with the CRF group in vivo (P<0.05). In in vitro study, compared with normal group, the expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were decreased, and expressions of Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the 74U group (P<0.05). Compared with the 74U group, expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were increased, whereas Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were decreased in the YS group (P<0.05). The treatment of 3-MA and rapamycin regulated autophagy and the expression of SIRT1. SIRT1 activator intervention up-regulated autophagy as well as the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 compared with the 74U group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Colonic dialysis with YS could improve autophagy disorder and repair CRF intestinal mucosal barrier injury by regulating SIRT1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells.
Animals ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Male ; Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Colon/drug effects* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Renal Dialysis ; Rats ; Kidney/drug effects*