OBJECTIVES: To investigate the subcellular localization and biological functions of transmembrane protein 240 (TMEM240). METHODS: NCBI BLAST and TMHMM bioinformatics software were used for protein sequence analysis and prediction of transmembrane domain of TMEM240. Brain tissues from male C57BL/6 mice (18-20 days old) were examined for distribution of TMEM240 using in situ hybridization, and qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect TMEM240 expression in different mouse tissues and in cortical neurons at different time points (n=3). In the in vitro experiment, HepG2 and Neuro-2a cells were transfected with plasmids for overexpression of TMEM240, and subcellular localization of TMEM240 was analyzed using cell imaging. In primary cultures of cortical neurons isolated from C57BL/6 mice, TMEM240 expression and its biological functions were investigated using qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Human and mouse TMEM240 proteins share a 97.69% similarity in the protein sequences, and both are transmembrane proteins with two transmembrane domains. TMEM240 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in mouse brain tissues and cortical neurons. In isolated mouse cortical neurons, TMEM240 expression reached the peak level after primary culture for 9 days and distributed in scattered spots within the cells. In HepG2 cells, TMEM240 was characterized as intracellular membrane structures and showed 80% colocalization with peroxisomes. In Neuro-2a cells, TMEM240 overexpression caused significant enhancement of the expressions of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor β (ARHGDIB) at both the mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS TMEM240 is a novel intracellular subcellular structure specifically expressed in neurons with significant potential for targeted cellular function regulation.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Peroxisomes/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Male ; rho-Specific Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors ; Hep G2 Cells ; Brain/metabolism*

Perimenopausal syndrome （MPS）， a common endocrine system disease， is one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in endocrinology， gynecology， and interdisciplinary fields of both Western and Chinese medicine to discuss the advantages and challenges of diagnosing and treating MPS with Western medicine， TCM， and integrative medicine. Experts at the conference believe that MPS is initiated by estrogen decline and rooted in deficiency， with the pathogenesis being imbalance between Yin and Yang in the kidney. The hormone replacement therapy in Western medicine for menopause can rapidly alleviate related symptoms by quickly restoring the estrogen level and timely detect and delay complications of menopause， whereas such a therapy has certain risks， necessitating close monitoring of adverse reactions. Moreover， the various contraindications and precautions limit the clinical application of the hormone replacement therapy. TCM has advantages in synergistically alleviating symptoms such as hot flashes， sweating， sleep disorders， and emotional abnormalities of MPS without causing obvious adverse reactions. However， its efficacy is slower than the hormone replacement therapy， and the TCM evidence for preventing and treating complications of menopause remains unclear. Three suggestions were proposed for the future development of both Western and TCM for ameliorating MPS. First， an integrated diagnosis and treatment system for MPS with both Western and Chinese medicine should be established. Second， high-quality evidence-based interventions for MPS should be developed with TCM alone or in combination with Western medicine. Third， efforts should be made to promote the new TCM drug development and the interdisciplinary cooperation for treating MPS.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of self-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (SCH) gel on endometrium recovery after artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted across 18 hospitals from December 2021 to February 2023, involving 382 women who underwent artificial abortion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either treatment with SCH gel (SCH group) or no treatment (control group) in a 1∶1 ratio. The primary outcome was endometrium thickness in 14 to 18 days after the first postoperative menstruation. Secondary outcomes included changes in menstrual volume during the first postoperative menstruation, menstruation resumption within 6 postoperative weeks, time to menstruation resumption, duration of the first postoperative menstruation, and incidence of dysmenorrhea.Results:Baseline characteristics of participants were comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05), with 95.3% (182/191) in SCH group and 92.7% (177/191) in the control group completed the study. The postoperative endometrial thickness in SCH group was significantly greater than that in the control group [(9.78±3.15) vs (8.95±2.32) mm; P=0.005]. SCH group also had significantly fewer participants with reduced menstrual volume [23 cases (12.6%, 23/182) vs 31 cases (17.5%, 31/177); P=0.038]. Although SCH group experienced less dysmenorrhea during the first postoperative menstrual period, this difference was not statistically significant [28.5% (51/179) vs 37.1% (65/175); P=0.083]. Outcomes were similar between SCH group and the control group regarding the proportion of participants who resumed menstruation within 6 weeks postoperatively, time to menstruation resumption, and duration of the first postoperative menstruation ( P=0.792, 0.485, and 0.254, respectively). No serious adverse events were observed during the study period, and no adverse events were attributed to SCH gel treatment. Conclusion:The application of SCH gel after artificial abortion is safe and might aid in the recovery of the endometrium.

Objective:To investigate the prenatal ultrasound detection and prognosis of fetuses with cysts of filum terminale.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 68 fetuses with cysts of filum terminale that underwent level Ⅲ systematic ultrasound examination and were successfully followed up at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to June 2023. The analysis included the initial detection time, cyst size, accompanying abnormalities, whether the cysts disappeared in utero, outcomes, and postnatal follow-up. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.Results:The earliest ultrasound detection of filum terminale cysts was at 21 weeks and 4 days of gestation, with a median length of 4.3 mm (range 2.0-19.5 mm). Among the 68 cases, 69% (47/68) were isolated filum terminale cysts, and 31% (21/68) were non-isolated filum terminale cysts. Structural abnormalities associated with non-isolated filum terminale cysts were most commonly cardiovascular (7/21, 33%), urogenital (6/21, 29%), and neurological (6/21, 29%) systems. Prenatal ultrasound follow-up was performed in 41 cases, with an intrauterine disappearance rate of 63% (26/41). The disappearance rates for isolated and non-isolated filum terminale cysts were 67% (22/33) and 4/8, respectively. The earliest disappearance was at 25 weeks of gestation, with the shortest duration being 12 days. Prenatal genetic testing was conducted in 10 cases, with no definite pathogenic variants detected. There were 10 cases of induced labor, including two cases of isolated filum terminale cysts and eight cases of non-isolated filum terminale cysts. The remaining 58 cases resulted in live births, with postnatal follow-up ranging from 3 months to 3 years, showing no abnormal findings.Conclusion:Most fetal cysts of filum terminale are isolated and can spontaneously disappear in utero, with a generally good prognosis.

Preeclampsia is one of the most important types among hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, characterized by a high incidence, multi-organ involvement, and severe threats to maternal and fetal health. This paper reviews the historical understanding of eclampsia, explores the development of the concept of "preeclampsia" alongside advancements in blood pressure measurement and urinalysis technologies, and examines the historical explanations of the etiology of eclampsia and preeclampsia. From abnormal fetal positioning to placental dysfunction and endothelial cell dysfunction, although the exact pathogenesis of eclampsia-preeclampsia remains unclear, reviewing this historical progression provides a deeper understanding of the evolution of this field and its essence. This, in turn, helps to grasp the cognitive foundations of current practices and the potential limitations.

Objective To study the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate extracts of the strips of Semiliquidambar cathayensis.Methods The strips of S.cathayensis were extracted by 80%ethanol and the extracts were evaporated.Fourteen compounds in ethyl acetate extracts were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques,such as silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 column and pre-HPLC,etc.Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis.Antioxidant activity test was used to evaluate total extraction,each extraction part and the isolates.Results Fourteen compounds were isolated from the strips of S.cathayensis and identified by NMR as tetradecanoic acid(1),stearic acid(2),sesamin(3),9-octadecenoic acid(4),linoleic acid(5),dibutylphthalate(6),stigmasterol(7),β-sitosterol(8),lupeol(9),oleanolic acid(10),lup-20(29)-ene-3-[3-keto-hexadecanoate](11),peujaponisin(12),C-veratroylglycol(13),and 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(14).Conclusion Compounds 1,3,4,5,6,7,9,11,12,13 and 14 were isolated from this plant for the first time.The EA part,compounds 13(C-veratroylglycol)and 14(2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone)showed significant antioxidative effects.

Objective: To evaluate the role of tuberculin skin test prified protein derivative (PPD) in defining the screening scope of close contacts of tuberculosis cases in disposal of tuberculosis outbreak in schools. Methods: In a senior middle school in August 2019, 1 553 students of the grade two were tested by PPD because of a school tuberculosis outbreak. PPD results were compared to grade one students without any association with this tuberculosis epidemic, who were also tested by PPD when beginning school. Potential association between PPD distribution characteristics and tuberculosis case distribution were analyzed. Results: Twenty nine grade two students were diagnozed as tuberculosis infection, seven of which were PPD positive, and with the same MIRU-VNTR genotype. In grade one, 0.1 % (1/796) student showed strong PPD positive, 34.3% (273/796) student showed positive. For grade two students, significant higher rate of strong PPD positive [5.9% (45/757)], and PPD positive [52.0% (394/757)] were observed ( χ 2=45.71, 49.90, P <0.01). Proportion of strong PPD positive in the first floor of the teaching building ( 19.4 %), where tuberculosis cases clustered, was significantly higher than that in other floors ( χ 2=89.81, P <0.01); Number of strong PPD positive students increased with TB cases in each floor of the teaching building ( r =0.99, P <0.01). Proportion of strong PPD positive and PPD positive in floors of the dormitory, where TB cases lived, was significantly higher than in other floors ( χ 2=49.4, 64.9 , P <0.01). Number of strong PPD positive and PPD positive students increased with TB cases in each floor of the teaching building ( r =0.84, 0.56, P <0.01). Conclusion Strong PPD positive rate well reflects tuberculosis infection of close contacts, and is recommended for defining the scope of screening.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) for patients with advanced ovarian cancer as the first-line surgical treatment.Methods:The ovarian cancer patients with completed clinical data diagnosed as stage Ⅲ C-Ⅳ according to Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) who underwent CRS+HIPEC as the first-line treatment from December 2007 to November 2019 in Beijing Shijitan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Survival status was analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were analyzed by using Cox multivariate regression model. The primary endpoints were median overall survival (mOS) time and median progress-free survival (mPFS) time, and the secondary endpoint was safety in perioperative period. Results:Of 100 patients with advanced ovarian cancer, the median follow-up time was 18.4 months, and 75 (75.0%) patients were alive and 25 (25.0%) patients died, of which the mOS time was 87.6 months (95% CI 72.1-103.1 months), and 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year survival rate was 94.1%, 77.2%, 68.2%,64.2% and 64.2%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the patients with age≤58 years old ( P = 0.023), Karnofsky≥80 scores ( P = 0.026), ascites ≤1 000 ml ( P = 0.041), peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score <19 ( P = 0.044) and completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score 0-1 ( P = 0.001) had better prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that CC score 0-1 was independent prognostic factor, the mortality risk of resectable patients with CC score 2-3 was 3.2 times higher than that in patients with CC score 0-1 ( HR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.6, P = 0.008), and mPFS time was 23.3 months (95% CI 0-50.7 months) for patients with CC score 0-1. Grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ adverse event rate during perioperative period and mortality rate was 4.0% (4/100) and 2.0% (2/100), respectively. Conclusion:CRS+HIPEC could improve the survival of advanced ovarian cancer patients with good safety.

Objective To assess effectiveness of ketogenic diet on improving polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients accompanying with overweight and obesity. Methods A total of 72 PCOS patients planned to recruit in our study from December 29, 2018 to June 2019 were selected, and were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The control group was given routine treatment and suggestions of life style, while the experimental group carried out ketogenic diet intervention alone for three months. All patients were followed up every day and rechecked monthly. The safety and effectiveness indexes of the two groups were observed. Results A total of fifty patients had been recruited until March 30, 2019, but one patient was lost in the follow-up. As a result, there were totally twenty-five patients in the experimental group with one patient lost in follow-up. In the remaining twenty-four patients, 75％ of these patients had recovered spontaneous menstruation in good condition. Ten patients who have been intervened over one month accepted the first re-examination. The results showed that the patient's weight, the body fat rate and the level of androgen detected in venous blood were all reduced after ketogenic diet after the intervention (P ＜ 0. 01), which revealed that the effect of ketogenic diet's intervention for PCOS was significant in the short term. Conclusion Ketogenic diet intervene in PCOS effectively restore spontaneous menstruation in patients for one month, the state of hyperandrogenism is significantly improved. Other hormones show improvement trends, but no significant difference compared with baseline. The mid-term and final reports of KIDs-001 are worthy of the wait.

Objective To assess effectiveness of ketogenic diet on improving polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients accompanying with overweight and obesity. Methods A total of 72 PCOS patients planned to recruit in our study from December 29, 2018 to June 2019 were selected, and were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The control group was given routine treatment and suggestions of life style, while the experimental group carried out ketogenic diet intervention alone for three months. All patients were followed up every day and rechecked monthly. The safety and effectiveness indexes of the two groups were observed. Results A total of fifty patients had been recruited until March 30, 2019, but one patient was lost in the follow-up. As a result, there were totally twenty-five patients in the experimental group with one patient lost in follow-up. In the remaining twenty-four patients, 75％ of these patients had recovered spontaneous menstruation in good condition. Ten patients who have been intervened over one month accepted the first re-examination. The results showed that the patient's weight, the body fat rate and the level of androgen detected in venous blood were all reduced after ketogenic diet after the intervention (P ＜ 0. 01), which revealed that the effect of ketogenic diet's intervention for PCOS was significant in the short term. Conclusion Ketogenic diet intervene in PCOS effectively restore spontaneous menstruation in patients for one month, the state of hyperandrogenism is significantly improved. Other hormones show improvement trends, but no significant difference compared with baseline. The mid-term and final reports of KIDs-001 are worthy of the wait.