BACKGROUND: Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is a significant challenge in treating glioblastoma (GBM). Collagen remodeling has been shown to be a critical factor for therapy resistance in other cancers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMZ chemoresistance by GBM cells reprogramming collagens. METHODS: Key extracellular matrix components, including collagens, were examined in paired primary and recurrent GBM samples as well as in TMZ-treated spontaneous and grafted GBM murine models. Human GBM cell lines (U251, TS667) and mouse primary GBM cells were used for in vitro studies. RNA-sequencing analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to explore the mechanisms involved in collagen accumulation. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to assess the role of the collagen regulators prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) and yes-associated protein (YAP) in sensitizing GBM cells to TMZ. RESULTS: This study revealed that TMZ exposure significantly elevated collagen type I (COL I) expression in both GBM patients and murine models. Collagen accumulation sustained GBM cell survival under TMZ-induced stress, contributing to enhanced TMZ resistance. Mechanistically, P4HA1 directly binded to and hydroxylated YAP, preventing ubiquitination-mediated YAP degradation. Stabilized YAP robustly drove collagen type I alpha 1 ( COL1A1) transcription, leading to increased collagen deposition. Disruption of the P4HA1-YAP axis effectively reduced COL I deposition, sensitized GBM cells to TMZ, and significantly improved mouse survival. CONCLUSION P4HA1 maintained YAP-mediated COL1A1 transcription, leading to collagen accumulation and promoting chemoresistance in GBM.
Temozolomide ; Humans ; Glioblastoma/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Hydroxylation ; Dacarbazine/pharmacology* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Collagen/biosynthesis* ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Prolyl Hydroxylases/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use*

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained considerable attention as a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of psoriasis. Unfortunately, the activation of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) by PDT triggers innate and adaptive immune responses, which exacerbate skin inflammation. Herein, we combined glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a natural anti-inflammatory compound and immunomodulator derived from the herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., with PDT actuated by the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) by co-loading them in GA-based lipid nanoparticles coated with a catechol-modified quaternary chitosan salt (GC NPs/QCS-C). GC NPs/QCS-C exhibited high drug loading efficacy, uniform size distribution, an ideal topical adhesive property, enhanced skin retention and penetration in psoriasis-like lesions, and high intracellular uptake in epidermal cells compared with the counterparts. Subsequently, the transdermal administration of GC NPs/QCS-C followed by near-infrared laser radiation in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model significantly ameliorated psoriasis symptoms, promoted the apoptosis of hyperproliferative epidermal cells, and alleviated the inflammatory cascade. The significant therapeutic outcomes of GC NPs/QCS-C were attributed to the synergistic effects of GA and PDT on modulating immune cell recruitment and inhibiting dendritic cell maturation. Our results demonstrated that the topical bio-adhesive nanosystem that combines GA and Ce6 offers a synergistic chemo-phototherapeutic strategy for psoriasis treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Since Omicron will likely persist, this trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of Shufeng Jiedu Granule (SFJDG) for mild Omicron infection, aims at finding new therapies especially for home-treated patients. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center phase III trial involves 844 patients, divided into a treatment group (422) and control group (422). Participants will receive SFJDG or placebo for 7 d (1.2 g/bag, 2 bags, 3 times/d). Hospital evaluations will be done on days 1 and 8, with telephone assessments on days 3 and 5. Follow-up continues on days 10 and 14. Diary cards will track symptom scores and safety data. The primary outcome is the time to sustained clinical recovery from corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. An interim analysis will occur after 70 % of patients complete follow-up, with Type I error correction (α1 = 0.015) at interim analysis based on O'Brien-Fleming-type cumulative error spending function. RESULTS: This phase III trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of SFJDG for mild COVID-19, focusing on real-world applicability for home-managed patients. The study's randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design ensures methodological rigor, while its comprehensive outcome measures address both symptom recovery and treatment safety. By emphasizing symptom resolution and recovery time, the trial aligns with the clinical priorities for managing mild cases of COVID-19. The findings could offer valuable insights into SFJDG's role in improving patient outcomes and addressing gaps left by existing antiviral therapies, particularly in symptom management. CONCLUSION The global risk assessment remains high due to the ongoing virulence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages. This Phase III study adopts a robust methodology to investigate SFJDG as a treatment for mild COVID-19 as well as it's effectiveness and safety. Furthermore, this study aim to provide sufficient scientific evidence for the market registration of SFJDG especially for home-treated patients. If successful, SFJDG could be a meaningful addition to therapeutic options for mild infections, supporting public health strategies in managing the ongoing impact of SARS-CoV-2.

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic

Naringenin (4,5,7-trihydroxyflavonoid) is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found in citrus fruits, which plays an important role in metabolic syndrome, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the pharmacological mechanism and biological function of naringenin on anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor immunity have not yet been elucidated. Our study firstly demonstrates that naringenin inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells both in vivo and in vitro. Naringenin diminishes the ability of HCC cells to induce tube formation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and suppresses neovascularization in chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Meanwhile, in vivo results demonstrate that naringenin can significantly upregulate level of CD8⁺ T cells, subsequently increasing the level of immune-related cytokines in the tumor immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, we found that naringenin facilitate the K48-linked ubiquitination and subsequent protein degradation of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met), which reduces the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Importantly, combination therapy naringenin with PD-L1 antibody or bevacizumab provided better therapeutic effects in liver cancer. Our study reveals that naringenin can effectively inhibit angiogenesis and anti-tumor immunity in liver cancer by degradation of VEGFA and c-Met in a K48-linked ubiquitination manner. This work enlightens the potential effect of naringenin as a promising therapeutic strategy against anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor immunity in HCC.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and access safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in series with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) access for critically ill patients using propensity score matching analysis, and to explore the potential influencing factors of infection. METHODS: A total of 200 critically ill patients who received both ECMO and CRRT treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Huai'an Second People's Hospital from December 2020 to December 2024 were retrospectively selected as the research subjects. They were divided into the independent operation group (72 cases) and the series system group (128 cases) according to the access connection mode of ECMO and CRRT. Propensity score matching analysis was used to perform 1 : 1 matching for patients of the two groups. The general data [age, gender, body mass index (BMI), clinical diagnosis, underlying disease, intubation method, intubation position, disease severity, ECMO support duration, catheter indwelling duration, oxygenation index (PaO₂/FiO₂) at 48 hours after ECMO initiation, serum creatinine (SCr), procalcitonin (PCT), hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT)], treatment status [ECMO initiation duration, ECMO operation duration, ECMO flow, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), CRRT initiation duration, CRRT catheter indwelling duration, inflow and outflow volume of replacement fluid], clinical outcome indicators (28-day survival rate, length of ICU stay, renal function recovery, fluid balance compliance rate), and access safety indicators (incidence of ECMO access thrombosis, incidence of infection, and incidence of bleeding events) of all the patients were collected. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the occurrence of infection, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the potential risk factors for infection in critically ill patients receiving both ECMO and CRRT treatment. RESULTS: Finally, a total of 120 patients were successfully matched, with 60 patients in both the independent operation group and the series system group. No statistically significant differences were observed in the general data between the two groups, indicating comparability. Compared with the independent operation group, the ECMO flow at 48 hours after ECMO initiation, SCr, and alanine transaminase (ALT) of the patients in the series system group were significantly decreased, while the LVEF at 48 hours after ECMO initiation was significantly increased, additionally, the CRRT initiation duration, CRRT catheter indwelling duration, and the length of ICU stay were significantly shortened, and the inflow and outflow volume of replacement fluid were significantly increased. The incidence of infection and bleeding events in the series system group was significantly lower than that in the independent operation group [infection incidence: 11.67% (7/60) vs. 36.67% (22/60), bleeding event incidence: 8.33% (5/60) vs. 48.33% (29/60), both P < 0.05]. No significant difference was found in the other general data, treatment status, clinical outcome indicators, or access safety indicators between the two groups. Among the 120 patients, 29 cases developed infection (accounting for 24.17%), and 91 cases had no infection (accounting for 75.83%). Compared with the non-infection group, the catheter indwelling duration was significantly prolonged and PCT was significantly increased in the infection group, while the PLT and the proportion of patients with ECMO and CRRT access connected via the series system were significantly decreased. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that catheter indwelling duration [odds ratio (OR) = 1.277, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.001-1.629, P = 0.049], PCT (OR = 1.529, 95%CI was 1.222-1.914, P < 0.001], PLT (OR = 0.953, 95%CI was 0.926-0.981, P = 0.001), and access connection mode (OR = 0.289, 95%CI was 0.090-0.930, P = 0.037) were potential risk factors for infection in critically ill patients. CONCLUSIONS The ECMO-in-series CRRT access can accelerate the initiation of CRRT, avoid local bleeding, stabilize patients' cardiac, hepatic and renal functions, reduce potential infection risks, and improve the prognosis of patients.
Humans ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/adverse effects* ; Critical Illness/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Intensive Care Units ; Propensity Score ; Middle Aged ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Risk Factors

To examine the global research trends and emerging focal points in the field ofgeriatric interdisciplinary team (GIT) from 2000 to 2023, so as to offer insights and reference for related research in China.

Objective:To explore the genetic etiology of two children with Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1), and prevent the recurrence of birth defects.Methods:Two unrelated families who had visited the Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Center of Drum Tower Hospital from August to November 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Copy number of SMN1 gene exon 7 for the probands and their parents was detected by multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). and whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen the variants in the probands. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the variants within the families. Pathogenecity of the variants were predicted by bioinformatic analysis. Based on the results, prenatal diagnosis was performed for the fetuses. Results:Both probands were found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the IGHMBP2 gene, which were inherited from their parents. Among these, c. 1144C>T, c. 866delG and c. 1666C>G were previously unreported and respectively classified as pathogenic variant (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3+ PP4), likely pathogenic variant (PM1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM4+ PP3+ PP4) and likely pathogenic variant (PM1+ PM2_Supporting+ PP2+ PP3+ PP4) based on the ACMG guidelines. Through preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic (PGT-M) and interventional prenatal diagnosis, transmission of the variants within the families was successfully blocked. Conclusion:The SMARD1 in both children may be attributed to the compound heterozygous variants of the IGHMBP2 gene, which has facilitated the genetic diagnosis and counselling, and provided reference for delineating the molecular pathogenesis of this disease.

Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations of two fetuses harboring heterozygous deletions of the SHOX gene. Methods:Two pregnant women who had presented at the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital respectively on June 24, 2022 and July 27, 2022 were selected as the study subjects. In case 1, prenatal ultrasonography had shown short femur and intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus. Case 2 had a history of spontaneous abortions due to structural chromosomal aberrations. Fetus 1 had undergone a test for the FGFR3 gene, and both fetuses were subjected to single nucleotide polymorphism-based microarray (SNP array) analysis. Results:Affter excluding the influence of FGFR3 gene Fetus 1 was found to harbor a heterozygous 883 kb deletion at Xpter or Ypter, whilst fetus 2 was found to harbor a 5.75 Mb deletion in the Xpter region. Both deletions have encompassed the SHOX gene. The origin of the deletion in fetus 1 was unknown, whilst that in fetus 2 was inherited from its mother. Fetus 1 has been delivered at term with a normal phenotype, and fetus 2 was not born yet. Conclusion:The intrauterine and postnatal phenotypes of fetuses may be predicted by combining the ultrasound finding, parental phenotype and results of CMA, variant, and the results can facilitate genetic counseling and decision making over the pregnancy.

Objective:To explore the genetic characteristics of three fetuses with regions of homozygosity (ROH).Methods:Three fetuses with ROH diagnosed at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital on December 2, 2020, March 19, 2021, and May 27, 2022, respectively were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the fetuses were collected. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was used to detect the ROH, and tandem repeat sequences (STR)-based multiplex PCR assay was used to identify the mosaicism status in fetus 1.Results:Partial maternal isodisomy (iUPD) (16) was found in fetus 1, for which trisomy rescue may be accountable. Meanwhile, the fetus also has confined placental mosaicism (CPM) but not true mosaicism. The formation mechanism of ROH for fetus 2 was identity by descent. Partial maternal iUPD (7) was found in fetus 3, which may be due to gametic recombination.Conclusion:The ROH of the three fetuses were inherited from both parents or the mother. Above findings suggested that it is justified to detect ROH on imprinting disorder-related chromosomes when potential uniparental disomy is suspected.