Background: High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context. Objective: This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Methods: We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT. Conclusion These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.

In recent years, remarkable advances have been made in lung transplantation regarding donor evaluation, perioperative support, and immune regulation, laying a foundation for improving the long-term survival of recipients. The rational application of extended criteria donor lungs and the popularization of ex vivo lung perfusion technology have enhanced the utilization efficiency and safety of marginal donor lungs. Refined assessment of risk factors such as donors’ smoking history and infectious status has reduced the incidence of primary graft dysfunction and postoperative infection. In terms of recipient management, individualized assessment systems have been gradually optimized. The standardized application of intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques have effectively alleviated perioperative injuries. The optimization of postoperative immunosuppressive regimens and advances in rejection monitoring technologies have further improved the long-term survival of grafts. Nevertheless, chronic graft dysfunction and recurrent or refractory infections remain the major bottlenecks restricting long-term prognosis. Future research should focus on expanding donor sources, improving the repair quality of marginal donor lungs, promoting precise immunosuppression and anti-infection strategies, and comprehensively enhancing the long-term survival rate and quality of life of lung transplant recipients.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which aerobic exercise improves hippocampal neuroinflammation and learning and memory ability in brain-aged mice via interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7). MethodsA total of 60 male specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J mice were enrolled in the experiment, including 30 young mice (2 months old) and 30 naturally aging mice (12 months old). Young mice and old mice were respectively randomly assigned to four groups: young control group (group C, n=15), young exercise group (group CE, n=15), and aging control group (group A, n=15), aging exercise group (group AE, n=15). Mice in the exercise groups received an 8-week continuous treadmill aerobic exercise intervention, while control mice were kept under routine feeding without exercise intervention. After the intervention, Barnes maze and Y-maze behavioral tests were performed to comprehensively assess the learning and memory abilities of each group of mice. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural morphological changes of hippocampal synapses. Western blot assay was utilized to detect the protein expression and phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), as well as the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). Immunofluorescence staining was applied to quantify the fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1) in hippocampal tissues. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines including interferon-α (IFN-α), interferon-β (IFN-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression level of IRF7, and DNA methylation assay was further conducted to analyze the methylation level of the IRF7 gene in mouse hippocampus. ResultsAt the molecular level, compared with group C, the protein expression levels of JAK1, STAT1, p‑JAK1, and p‑STAT1 in group A were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas PSD95 expression was decreased (P<0.05). ELISA assays showed that the levels of IFN‑α, IFN‑β, TNF‑α, and IL‑1β were significantly elevated in group A (P<0.001). RT‑PCR analysis revealed that, compared with group C, the mRNA expression of IRF7 in group A was markedly upregulated (P<0.000 1), while the CpG methylation rate of the IRF7 promoter was significantly reduced (P<0.05). In contrast, all the above parameters in the AE group showed improvements relative to those in group A. Immunofluorescence staining indicated positive IBA1 expression in the brain tissues of group A mice. Exercise intervention reversed these abnormal changes. ConclusionIn aged mice, aerobic exercise induces hypermethylation of the IRF7 promoter region, suppresses IRF7 expression and activation of the downstream IFN‑I/JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway, accompanied by alleviated neuroinflammation, improved learning and memory, and ameliorated brain aging-related phenotypes.

Objective To develop a predictive model for postoperative mortality risk in patients with acute aortic dissection(AAD)using the Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost)algorithm combined with Shapley Additive Explanation(SHAP),and to establish a prediction website to serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic support platform for clinicians and patients.Methods A retrospective cohort study design was adopted.Data from 782 AAD patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to December 2023 were collected,including basic information and initial serum biomarker test results.Patients were randomly divided into training and test sets at a 7:3 ratio.An external validation set consisting of 313 AAD patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023 was also established for further model validation.Variables were screened using LASSO regression,and an XGBoost machine learning model was constructed and interpreted using SHAP.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Using the Shiny package,the XGBoost model was deployed to shinyapps.io to create a prediction website for postoperative mortality risk in AAD patients.One patient was selected by simple random sampling from the test set and the external validation set respectively for the prediction example on the Shiny webpage.Results The XGBoost model demonstrated high predictive performance for postoperative mortality in AAD patients,with area under the ROC curve(AUC)values of 0.928(95%CI 0.901-0.956)in the training set,0.919(95%CI 0.891-0.949)in the test set,and 0.941(95%CI 0.915-0.967)in the external validation set.SHAP values indicated the following order of variable importance in the model(from highest to lowest):"lactate dehydrogenase""blood chlorine""multiple organ injury""carbon dioxide combining power""prothrombin time""α-hydroxybutyric acid""creatine kinase isoenzyme""Stanford classification""combined use of bedside blood purification""gender""acute kidney injury""gastrointestinal bleeding""brain injury"and"shock".A risk prediction website for adverse postoperative outcomes in AAD patients was developed using XGBoost-SHAP method(https://dun-dunxiaolu.shinyapps.io/document/)and validated with examples.One randomly selected patient from each of the test and external validation sets was applied:the predicted mortality risk value for patient 1(who died postoperatively)was 0.9539,and that for patient 2(who survived postoperatively)was 0.0206.Conclusions The XGBoost-SHAP model demonstrates high accuracy in predicting postoperative mortality risk for AAD patients.The online prediction tool established based on this model enhances the identification efficiency of high-risk postoperative mortality patients.

Objective To explore the mechanism of action of jolkinolide B in the treatment of gastric cancer by network pharmacology combined with molecular docking technique.Methods The SwissTargetPrediction database was used to obtain the targets of the active compounds.Search Genecards,OMIM,Drugbank,TTD,and PharmGKB databases to obtain targets for gastric cancer.The intersection between the targets of jolkinolide B and those of gastric cancer was identified pinpoint potential targets for jolkinolide B in treating gastric cancer.The String database was utilized construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Bioconductor bioinformatics packages with R software was employed conduct Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis on the shared targets.This process revealed significant regulatory pathways crucial for jolkinolide B's efficacy in treating gastric cancer.Cytoscape 3.7.1 software was utilized create the core network of"Potential Targets of Triptolide B in Gastric Cancer Treatment",and SYBYL-X2.1.1 software was employed conduct molecular docking validation of the selected main active ingredients and critical targets.Results Jolkinolide B may target multiple proteins,including MAPK1,glycogen synthase kinae-3β(GSK-3β),and JUN,impacting the proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of gastric cancer,ultimately inhibiting its growth.Conclusion We predicted the possible molecular mechanism of jolkinolide B in the treatment of gastric cancer to provide guide information for the subsequent experimental research and clinical application.

Objective To explore the mechanism of cinobufagin(CBG)in treating gastric cancer based on network pharmacology combined with bioinformatics and molecular docking technology.Methods Active ingredients and potential targets of CBG in treating gastric cancer were collected from PubChem,TCMSP,and SwissTargetPrediction databases.Transcriptional data of gastric cancer samples were obtained from TGGA database,and gastric cancer-related targets were identified through differential gene analysis.Intersection of targets between CBG and gastric cancer diseases was subjected to Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of common targets was constructed using STRING database,and core targets were selected using Cytoscape software.Molecular docking verification of core targets screened with SYBYL-X 2.1.1 software was conducted with CBG.Results CBG treatment of gastric cancer involved 59 targets,with 19 key targets identified.Key targets such as aurora kinase A(AURKA),cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1),enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2),hepatocyte growth factor receptor(MET),matrix metallopeptidase 3(MMP-3),progesterone receptor(PGR),prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1(PTGS1),and thymidylate synthase(TYMS)which exhibited good binding activity with CBG and were closely associated with gastric cancer prognosis.Conclusion CBG may exert anti-gastric cancer effects through multiple targets and pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To provide preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for a patient with Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) due to IKBKG gene variant but without family samples through construction of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based haplotype by Long-read sequencing (LRS) technology. METHODS: A female IP patient with a heterozygous IKBKG c.1167dup variant but without family genetic data who sought genetic counseling at Women and Children' Hospital of Ningbo University in November 2021 was selected as the study subject. The IKBKG gene has a highly homologous pseudogene IKBKGP1. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the couple, and LRS was used to obtain informative SNP loci flanking the variant locus, enabling the construction of SNP haplotype with a long segment spanning from the non-homologous region of IKBKG to the variant site. Trophoblast cells were biopsied from blastocysts fertilized through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to determine the SNP information of the embryos. Linkage analysis with the parental SNP haplotypes was conducted to detect the carrier status of the embryos and exclude chromosomal aneuploidies. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate the result. A euploid embryo without the pathogenic variant was selected for transfer. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out by amniocentesis at mid-trimester to verify the result of PGT tests, and follow-up was conducted after the baby was born. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2023-094). RESULTS: A total of seven blastocysts were tested, and PGT results indicated that two embryos were euploid and did not carry the pathogenic variant. One euploid embryo was transferred, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 24 weeks of gestation confirmed that the status of fetal IKBKG gene, and its chromosomal status was consistent with the PGT results. A healthy male infant was born at 38+6 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION For IP patients with de novo mutation or without family genetic samples, PGT with LRS can directly construct the SNP-based haplotype while avoiding interference from pseudogenes, providing an effective strategy for PGT.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Haplotypes/genetics* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods* ; I-kappa B Kinase/genetics* ; Incontinentia Pigmenti/diagnosis* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics* ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVE: To apply optical genome mapping (OGM) technique for the analysis of genetic etiology in two rare families with complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) and to provide precise reproductive guidance to them. METHODS: Two Chinese families diagnosed with chromosomal rearrangements by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) between June and December 2023 at the Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University were selected as the study subjects. In both cases, unbalanced chromosomal translocations were suspected. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood from the couple, amniotic fluid sample and aborted fetal tissue was subjected to combined G-banding karyotyping and OGM for comprehensive genetic analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: EC2023-094). RESULTS: In family 1, the fetus was signaled to have abnormal chromosome 7 by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), prompting amniocentesis and CMA detection. In family 2, a pregnancy loss had occurred at 10 weeks' gestation, and trio-WES was carried out. Both fetuses were found to harbor copy number variations (CNVs) suggestive of unbalanced CCRs. Further analysis with OGM has revealed that, in family 1, an unbalanced rearrangement involving chromosomes 7, 8, and 10 was carried by the fetus and the pregnant woman, which has formed der(8) and der(10) derivative chromosomes. In family 2, a maternal CCR was found, which involved chromosomes 2 and 13 with seven breakpoints, resulting in unbalanced fetal CNVs. After genetic counseling, family 1 opted to continue with the pregnancy, considering the woman's normal appearance and inheritance of the rearrangement. For both families remained to have a risk for unbalanced rearrangements in subsequent pregnancies, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) was recommended. CONCLUSION In both families, the OGM has precisely delineated the genetic basis of fetal CNVs and mapped the maternal CCR breakpoints, providing critical insights for genetic counseling and reproductive decision-making.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Chromosome Mapping/methods* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Pedigree ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of Optical genome mapping (OGM) for the verification of chromosomal structural variations among patients undergoing assisting reproduction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on the clinical data of 12 patients presented at the Reproductive Center of Ningbo University Women and Children's Hospital from October 2022 to October 2024. All patients had undergone OGM testing due to suspection of structural variants by chromosomal karyotyping or a suggestive medical history. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: EC2024-148). RESULTS: Among the 12 patients verified by OGM, one (8.3%) was in keeping with the result of chromosomal karyotyping. Revised karyotypes were confirmed in seven cases (58.3%), including four with complex chromosomal rearrangements. Structural variation was excluded in three cases (25.0%). Of note, OGM has identified a previously undetected cryptic balanced translocation, i.e., ogm[GRCh38] t(7;12)(q36.3;q24.23)(157511190_157523142;119205703_119198409). CONCLUSION OGM can serve as an auxiliary diagnostic technique to conventional karyotyping and enable validation of suspected structural variations in those with ambiguous karyotype results or a history of adverse pregnancies. This can provide more precise genetic diagnosis for patients undergoing assisted reproduction and selection of clinical intervention strategies.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Karyotyping ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Chromosome Mapping/methods* ; Chromosome Aberrations

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic characteristics and clinical utility of Optical genome mapping (OGM) in resolving complex genomic rearrangements in families with recurrent pregnancy loss. METHODS: A recurrent miscarriage family which presented at both the People's Hospital of Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and the Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University in September 2024 was selected as the study subject. Relevant clinical information was collected. Peripheral blood samples of the couple were collected for G banding karyotyping analysis, and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and OGM were used for verification. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2024-148). RESULTS: CNV-seq in an external hospital detected a 10.67 Mb deletion in the 16q12.1q21 region, a 142.4 kb deletion in the 5p15.2 region, and a 359.55 kb duplication in the 7p22.2 region. No abnormality was found in the chromosomal karyotype of the male partner, and the initial karyotyping of the female partner suggested 46,XX,?del(16)(q12.1q22). The CNV-seq verification of her indicated only variations in the 5p15.2 and 7p22.2 fragments, and no deletion of 16q was detected. As indicated by precise OGM analysis, multiple intrachromosomal and interchromosomal translocation variations had occurred between chromosomes 10 and 16 in the female partner, with complex balanced rearrangements (including 5 transchromosomal breakpoints). CONCLUSION The complex balanced rearrangements of the female partner's chromosomes had occurred during meiosis, the resultant unbalanced gametes may be the cause of repeated miscarriage in this family. OGM can delineate complex rearrangement breakpoints and directions that are difficult to reveal by conventional karyotyping analysis and provide a basis for accurate reproductive genetic counseling.
Humans ; Abortion, Habitual/etiology* ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Male ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Adult ; Karyotyping ; Pedigree ; Gene Rearrangement ; Chromosome Mapping