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

BACKGROUND:The occurrence and development of various ophthalmic diseases are closely related to excessive oxidative stress,and the inhibition of oxidative stress response may produce preventive and therapeutic effects. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of Pax6 gene expression on hydrogen peroxide-induced aging of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BM-MSCs). METHODS:Resuscitated BM-MSCs,Pax6/BM-MSCs,and shPax6/BM-MSCs were treated with hydrogen peroxide for 24 hours,and then β-galactosidase staining was performed.The proliferation index Ki67 expression and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.The expression of senescence-associated molecules(Wnt7a,p21,and p53)was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After hydrogen peroxide treatment,the cells of the three groups showed senescence phenotype and β-galactosidase staining was positive.Compared with BM-MSCs group,the expression of positive cells in Pax6/BM-MSCs group was less and that in the shPax6/BM-MSCs group was more,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)The results of flow cytometry showed that compared with BM-MSCs group,the positive expression of Ki67 in the Pax6/BM-MSCs group increased and the level of apoptosis decreased,while the positive expression of Ki67 decreased and the level of apoptosis increased in the shPax6/BM-MSCs group;the difference was significantly different(P<0.05).(3)RT-PCR showed that compared with the BM-MSCs group,the expression of Wnt7a,p53,and p21 decreased in the Pax6/BM-MSCs group,while the expression of Wnt7a,p53,and p21 increased in the shPax6/BM-MSCs group;the difference was significantly different(P<0.05).(4)These findings indicate that overexpression of Pax6 can antagonize the aging progression of BM-MSCs induced by hydrogen peroxide,which may be related to Wnt signaling pathway.

Objective To describe the distribution characteristics of knee and ankle joint range of motion and muscle atrophy related indexes in patients with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD)in Shaanxi Province so as to explore the correlation of knee and ankle joint range of motion(ROM)with muscle atrophy indexes and provide reference for clinical characteristics analysis of KBD patients.Methods To investigate the registered KBD patients from KBD areas in Shaanxi Province,we measured the general demographic data of the patients were collected and the ROM of the knee joint(flexion and extension),the ankle joint(dorsiflexion and plantar flexion),and the muscle atrophy related indexes such as the upper arm circumference,thigh circumference,calf circumference and grip strength.According to the population characteristics,i.e.,gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and KBD grade,the median and quartile of joint ROM and muscle atrophy of KBD patients were reported,and then the differences in each index among different groups were analyzed.Partial correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between indicators after controlling for variables such as gender,age and BMI.Results A total of 480 patients with KBD were investigated in this study,who consisted of 249(51.9％)males and 231(48.1％)females,with an average age of(63.10±7.32)years and an average BMI of(23.49±8.90)kg/m2.The knee flexion ROM,knee extension ROM,ankle dorsiflexion ROM and ankle plantar flexion ROM were[105.0(95.0,120.0)]°,[0.0(-15.0,0.0)]°,[5.0(0.0,15.0)]° and[20.0(15.0,30.0)]°,respectively,in KBD patients in Shaanxi Province.The left thigh circumference,right thigh circumference,left calf circumference,right calf circumference,and upper arm circumference were[43.0(40.0,47.0)]cm,[43.0(39.0,47.0)]cm,[29.0(27.0,32.0)]cm,[29.5(27.0,32.0)]cm,[27.0(25.0,30.0)]cm,respectively.The left hand grip strength and right hand grip strength were[13.4(9.5,18.4)]kg and[13.9(9.8,18.2)]kg,respectively.With the increase of age,the extension range of the left and right knee joints of KBD patients showed a decreasing trend(H=31.499,31.847;all P＜0.001).The range of motion of bilateral knee flexion was higher in the normal BMI group than in the overweight or obese group,with statistically significant differences(H=7.753,12.333;P=0.021,0.002).The knee flexion,thigh circumference,and calf circumference of the left and right sides showed a decreasing trend under different KBD grades(H=14.345,17.256,8.000,8.462,8.558,9.633;all P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed that knee flexion ROM was positively correlated with thigh circumference,calf circumference,and grip strength in patients with KBD(all P＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between knee extension ROM and thigh circumference in patients with KBD(P＜0.01).Conclusion The impaired joint ROM and muscle atrophy are serious in KBD patients in Shaanxi Province,and there is a correlation between joint motion and muscle atrophy.

Objective To evaluate myocardial microvascular lesions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)by 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography(2D-STE)and myocardial contrast echocar-diography(MCE).Methods A total of 45 T2DM patients admitted to the Endocrine Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from August to November 2022 were enrolled in this study.All the patients were divided into two groups:simple T2DM group(n=22)and T2DM with microvascular complication group(MIC,n=23).In addition,24 healthy subjects were included as normal control(NC)group.2D-STE obtained the global longitudinal strain(GLS)and global circumferential strain(GCS);MCE obtained the average acoustic intensity(A),perfusion slope(b)of left ventricular segment,then myocardial blood flow(Aβ)was calculated and compared between groups.Results Compared with NC group,GLS,GCS,β and Aβ were lower in T2DM and MIC group(P＜0.05).Among the parameters of 2D-STE and MCE,GLS and Aβ have high diagnostic performance(P＜0.05)and GCS and β have medium diagnostic performance(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the early warning values of myocardial microcirculation disorders were-17.63%(GLS),-21.55%(GCS),0.845 s-1(β),7.045 dB/s(Aβ)in patients with T2DM.Conclusion The mechanical strain and perfusion of myocar-dium in T2DM patients have already decreased even no lesion was shown in the peripheral micro-vessels.2D-STE combined with MCE can assess the changes of myocardial elasticity and microcirculation in T2DM in real time,which is helpful for early clinical diagnosis of diabetes cardiomyopathy and intervention guidance.

Objective Infertility affects approximately one-sixth of the people of childbearing age worldwide,causing not only economic burdens of treatment for families with fertility problems but also psychological stress for patients and presenting challenges to societal and economic development.Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)refers to the loss of ovarian function in women before the age of 40 due to the depletion of follicles or decreased quality of remaining follicles,constituting a significant cause of female infertility.In recent years,with the help of the rapid development in genetic sequencing technology,it has been demonstrated that genetic factors play a crucial role in the onset of POI.Among the population suffering from POI,genetic studies have revealed that genes involved in processes such as meiosis,DNA damage repair,and mitosis account for approximately 37.4% of all pathogenic and potentially pathogenic genes identified.FA complementation group M(FANCM)is a group of genes involved in the damage repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks(ICLs),including FANCA-FANCW.Abnormalities in the FANCM genes are associated with female infertility and FANCM gene knockout mice also exhibit phenotypes similar to those of POI.During the genetic screening of POI patients,this study identified a suspicious variant in FANCM.This study aims to explore the pathogenic mechanisms of the FANCM genes of the FA pathway and their variants in the development of POI.We hope to help shed light on potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the affected individuals.Methods One POI patient was included in the study.The inclusion criteria for POI patients were as follows:women under 40 years old exhibiting two or more instances of basal serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels>25 IU/L(with a minimum interval of 4 weeks inbetween tests),alongside clinical symptoms of menstrual disorders,normal chromosomal karyotype analysis results,and exclusion of other known diseases that can lead to ovarian dysfunction.We conducted whole-exome sequencing for the POI patient and identified pathogenic genes by classifying variants according to the standards and guidelines established by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG).Subsequently,the identified variants were validated through Sanger sequencing and subjected to bioinformatics analysis.Plasmids containing wild-type and mutant FANCM genes were constructed and introduced into 293T cells.The 293T cells transfected with wild-type and mutant human FANCM plasmids and pEGFP-C1 empty vector plasmids were designated as the EGFP FANCM-WT group,the EGFP FANCM-MUT group,and the EGFP group,respectively.To validate the production of truncated proteins,cell proteins were extracted 48 hours post-transfection from the three groups and confirmed using GFP antibody.In order to investigate the impact on DNA damage repair,immunofluorescence experiments were conducted 48 hours post-transfection in the EGFP FANCM-WT group and the EGFP FANCM-MUT group to examine whether the variant affected FANCM's ability to localize on chromatin.Mitomycin C was used to induce ICLs damage in vitro in both the EGFP FANCM-WT group and the EGFP FANCM-MUT group,which was followed by verification of its effect on ICLs damage repair using γ-H2AX antibody.Results In a POI patient from a consanguineous family,we identified a homozygous variant in the FANCM gene,c.1152-1155del:p.Leu386Valfs*10.The patient presented with primary infertility,experiencing irregular menstruation since menarche at the age of 16.Hormonal evaluation revealed an FSH level of 26.79 IU/L and an anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)level of 0.07 ng/mL.Vaginal ultrasound indicated unsatisfactory visualization of the ovaries on both sides and uterine dysplasia.The patient's parents were a consanguineous couple,with the mother having regular menstrual cycles.The patient had two sisters,one of whom passed away due to osteosarcoma,while the other exhibited irregular menstruation,had been diagnosed with ovarian insufficiency,and remained childless.Bioinformatics analysis revealed a deletion of four nucleotides(c.1152-1155del)in the exon 6 of the patient's FANCM gene.This variant resulted in a frameshift at codon 386,introducing a premature stop codon at codon 396,which ultimately led to the production of a truncated protein consisting of 395 amino acids.In vitro experiments demonstrated that this variant led to the production of a truncated FANCM protein of approximately 43 kDa and caused a defect in its nuclear localization,with the protein being present only in the cytoplasm.Following treatment with mitomycin C,there was a significant increase in γ-H2AX levels in 293T cells transfected with the mutant plasmid(P<0.01),indicating a statistically significant impairment of DNA damage repair capability caused by this variant.Conclusions The homozygous variant in the FANCM gene,c.1152-1155del:p.Leu386Valfs*10,results in the production of a truncated FANCM protein.This truncation leads to the loss of its interaction site with the MHF1-MHF2 complex,preventing its entry into the nucleus and the subsequent recognition of DNA damage.Consequently,the localization of the FA core complex on chromatin is disrupted,impeding the normal activation of the FA pathway and reducing the cell's ability to repair damaged ICLs.By disrupting the rapid proliferation and meiotic division processes of primordial germ cells,the reserve of oocytes is depleted,thereby triggering premature ovarian insufficiency in females.

Glycolytic metabolism enzymes have been implicated in the immunometabolism field through changes in metabolic status. PGK1 is a catalytic enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. Here, we set up a high-throughput screen platform to identify PGK1 inhibitors. DC-PGKI is an ATP-competitive inhibitor of PGK1 with an affinity of K _d = 99.08 nmol/L. DC-PGKI stabilizes PGK1 in vitro and in vivo, and suppresses both glycolytic activity and the kinase function of PGK1. In addition, DC-PGKI unveils that PGK1 regulates production of IL-1β and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Mechanistically, inhibition of PGK1 with DC-PGKI results in NRF2 (nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2, NFE2L2) accumulation, then NRF2 translocates to the nucleus and binds to the proximity region of Il-1β and Il-6 genes, and inhibits LPS-induced expression of these genes. DC-PGKI ameliorates colitis in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. These data support PGK1 as a regulator of macrophages and suggest potential utility of PGK1 inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of artificial intelligence ultrasound to diagnose of biliary atresia (BA) based on deep learning.Methods:A total of 531 gallbladder ultrasound images in 177 cases of BA patients (BA group) and 585 gallbladder ultrasound images in 195 cases of Non-BA patients (Non-BA group) were collected in Hunan Children′s Hospital from September 2018 to October 2020. For the BA and Non-BA groups, all images were divided into training set and test set according to the ratio of 2∶1. The Mask R-CNN model was trained by training samples, and then the model was tested, according to patient and image as a unit respectively, to evaluate the gallbladder organ detection rate and the diagnostic accuracy of BA. In addition, the images of the test set were randomly numbered.Four sonographers were invited to interpret the images to calculate the diagnostic accuracy individually. Last, the diagnostic accuracy of the Mask R-CNN model was compared with that of sonographers.Results:In terms of the automatic detection of gallbladder organs, the detection rate in both BA and Non-BA group reached 100%, but there were 17 false alarms in 372 test images, with a false alarm rate of 4.57%. In terms of the diagnostic rate of gallbladders, when taking patient as a unit, the total diagnostic accuracy of the model in the test set was 95.97%, which was higher than that of the sonographers in other hospitals and the sonographer with intermediate professional title in our hospital, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.005). It was slightly higher than that of sonographer with senior professional title in our hospital (91.94%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.183). When taking picture as a unit, the total diagnostic accuracy of the model was 97.04%, which was higher than that of the sonographers in other hospitals and the sonographer with intermediate professional title in our hospital, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). It was slightly higher than that of sonographer with senior professional title in our hospital (94.09%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.05). Conclusions:The artificial intelligence technology based on Mask R-CNN can automatically and accurately detect gallbladder organs and diagnose BA, which is worthy of further study.

Objective To understand the situation of college students' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of innovation and entrepreneurship activities and analyze their influencing factors, in order to provide a scientific basis for further promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship activities. Methods A self-administered questionnaire survey using cluster sampling method was conducted among 850 undergraduates in a medical university in May, 2018. The demographic characteristics and questions pertaining to the KAP of innovation and entrepreneurship activities were collected, The weighted scores of KAP were calculated using the Delphi method. Chi-square test, multivariate logistic regression and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results A total of 850 questionnaires were sent out and 800 valid questionnaires were collected. The average scores and pass rates for the knowledge, attitude and practice of the 800 college students were (0.54 ±0.14), 38.1％; (0.56 ±0.23), 51.5％; and (0.37 ±0.19), 12.6％, respectively. Knowledge: the pass rate for the concepts related to innovation and entrepreneurship was 70.5％, and the pass rate for the policies related to innovation and entrepreneurship was 17.2％. The pass rate of senior students and excellent students were higher than those of junior students and students of lower academic competence (P=0.000, P=0.004). Attitudes: the pass rate for attitude towards the relationship between innovation and entrepreneurship and personal development was 63.6％, the pass rate for attitudes towards participation in innovation and entrepreneurship was 49.8％, and the pass rate for attitudes towards the school continuing to carry out innovation and entrepreneurship related activities was 23.8％. Practice:the pass rates for participation in scientific research and academic activities and social practice , voluntary cultivation of innovation ability and self-employment were 8.5％, 62.9％, 11.9％and 27.3％, respectively. The pass rate of senior grades was higher than that of junior grades (P=0.001). Scores for knowledge and those of attitude are positively correlated. Scores for practice and those of knowledge and attitude are positively correlated. Conclusion The higher pass rates for medical college students' attitude toward innovation and entrepreneurship activities as compared to those for knowledge and practice indicates high eagerness toward participation in innovation and entrepreneurship activities; a high rate knowledge is conducive to the cultivation of attitudes and the improvement of participation in activities . Therefore , it is necessary to strengthen the efforts in carrying out innovation and entrepreneurship activities , improve publicity and education, and promote the awareness-raising of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Objective To apply the BestSeqTM new generation pathogenic gene detection technology to perform the genetic detec‐tion in the patients with progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD) validating its sensitivity and specificity .Methods The BestSeqTM new generation pathogenic gene detection technology was used to perform the gene sequencing in 2 cases of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy(LGMD) and 6 cases of Dunchenne′s muscular dystrophy(DMD) ,and the found point mutations were confirmed by the Sanger sequencing method .Results This study completed the genetic detection in above 8 cases ,2 cases of large fragment deletion and 10 cases of micromutations were detected ,in which 8 micromutations were the new mutation discovered ffor the first time and verified by the Sanger sequencing .Conclusion The BestSeqTM new generation pathogenic gene detection technology greatly increa‐ses the detection efficiency by using the high density imbricate type probe and multiple tag technology ,and has the better clinical ap‐plication prospects .

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human bone morphogenetic protein (hBMPs) 2/3/6 and 12 on osteosarcoma cell UMR106. METHODS: Adenovirus-BMP2/3/6 and 12 (AdBMP2/3/6 and12) were used to treat the cell line. Their proliferation, apoptosis, and transmigration were detected by Trypan blue exclusion test, TdT-mediated biotinylated-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double fluorescent dye staining, and transwell-room test, respectively. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected to reflect the differentiation of tumors. RESULTS: Compared with the control groups, the cell survival rate of the experimental groups treated with AdBMP2/3/6 and 12 showed a significant time-dependent decrease (P<0.01). The apoptosis indexes were increased significantly (P<0.01) and the results from TUNEL and AO/EB method were consistent. The cell numbers of transmembrane significantly decreased at 24,48, and 72 h (P<0.01). AdBMP2/3/6 and 12 treatment enhanced the activity of ALP activity from day 3 and this effect might still be observed up to day 9 of the treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION hBMPs2/3/6 and 12 can inhibit the proliferation and transmigration, and induce their apoptosis and differentiation in osteosarcoma cell line UMR106.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; pharmacology ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 3 ; pharmacology ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 ; pharmacology ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; pharmacology ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Growth Differentiation Factors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology