HDAC7, a member of class IIa HDACs, plays a pivotal regulatory role in tumor, immune, fibrosis, and angiogenesis, rendering it a potential therapeutic target. Nevertheless, due to the high similarity in the enzyme active sites of class IIa HDACs, inhibitors encounter challenges in discerning differences among them. Furthermore, the substitution of key residue in the active pocket of class IIa HDACs renders them pseudo-enzymes, leading to a limited impact of enzymatic inhibitors on their function. In this study, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology was employed to develop HDAC7 drugs. We developed an exceedingly selective HDAC7 PROTAC degrader B14 which showcased superior inhibitory effects on cell proliferation compared to TMP269 in various diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Subsequent investigations unveiled that B14 disrupts BCL6 forming a transcriptional inhibition complex by degrading HDAC7, thereby exerting proliferative inhibition in DLBCL. Our study broadened the understanding of the non-enzymatic functions of HDAC7 and underscored the importance of HDAC7 in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, particularly in DLBCL and AML.

Objective To investigate the improvement effect of Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) on mouse models with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) -associated myocarditis (ICIAM) and potential mechanism. Methods Ten male BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected to construct the ICIAM models. The echocardiography and serum myocardial injury markers were used to assess cardiac function of mice. The levels of inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate myocardial inflammation, and Masson staining was used to evaluate myocardial fibrosis. The expressions of myocardial necroptosis proteins including receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1), RIP3, mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) and their phosphorylated forms were detected by Western blotting. The spleen lymphocytes were extracted and co-cultured with HL-1 cell line. Cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were observed. RIP1, RIP3, MLKL and their phosphorylated forms were determined. The levels of markers of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were measured. Results Nec-1 significantly improved the cardiac function injury of mice induced by ICI, and inhibited the release of TNF-α and IL-1β in plasma of ICIAM mice (P＜0.001); inhibited expressions of phosphorylated RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL (P＜0.05); decreased MDA activity, and increased SOD and GSH-Px activity (P＜0.001). In HL-1 cells, Nec-1 intervention inhibited the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL pathway (P＜0.05), improved decrease of the cell viability induced by lymphocytes (P＜0.001), decreased ROS release, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited MDA activity, and increased SOD and GSH-Px activities (P＜0.001). Conclusions Necroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of ICIAM，but Nec-1 could alleviate the progression of ICIAM by inhibiting necroptosis induced by oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes; RIP1 maybe a new target in treatment of ICIAM.

Objective: To establish a progressive research strategy for “colonic components analysis - efficacy verification and mechanism exploration - gut microbiota”, screen pharmacodynamic substances, and investigate their mechanism via gut microbiota. Methods: The pharmacodynamics of Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) were assessed using a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer was used to identify the prototype and metabolic components of GQD in the colon during UC. To analyze the structure and function of characteristic genera of GQD and its active components, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed. Results: We identified 67 prototypic and 14 metabolic components of GQD in the UC colon. The primary prototype components are flavonoids and alkaloids, including puerarin (PUE), baicalin (BAI), and berberine (BER). The metabolism was predominantly sulfonation. Efficacy verification showed that the main active components, puerarin, baicalin, and berberine, had good therapeutic effects on UC. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that GQD improved UC by regulating the structure and function of the gut microbiota. The abundance of gut microbiota involved in the metabolism of the prototype components was influenced by the corresponding components. The function prediction results showed that PUE was the most comparable to GQD, with 24 consistent pathways. BAI and BER showed comparable gut microbiota regulation pathways. Characteristic pathways of BER include glucometabolic processes. Conclusion This study focused on the key issues in the gut microbiota pathway and developed a progressive research strategy to understand the transformation mechanisms of colonic components. This research systematically analyzed the active components and metabolic transformation of GQD in the colon during the pathological state of UC, as well as changes in the structure and function of the gut microbiota, clarified the mechanism of GQD and its active components in improving UC via the gut microbiota pathway.

Objective:To explore the prevalence, clinical features, genetic characteristics and prognosis of Citrin deficiency in Henan province of China.Methods:A total of 986 565 neonates screened by tandem mass spectrometry at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Analysis of SLC25A13 gene variants and parental verification were carried out for neonates suspected for Citrin deficiency by next-generation sequencing. The clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of Citrin deficiency patients were integrated to guide the diet treatment and follow up the growth and development. Paired- t test was used to compare the amino acid levels in the peripheral blood samples before and after the treatment. Results:Nine cases of Citrin deficiency were diagnosed among the 986 565 neonates. Specific elevation of citrulline was observed in all of the 9 cases. Six variants were detected by genetic sequencing, among which c. 852_855delTATG, c. 615+ 5G>A, c. 550C>T and IVS16ins3kb were known pathogenic variants, whilst c. 1111_1112delAT and c. 837T>A were unreported previously. The detection rate for c. 852_855delTATG was the highest (61.6%, 11/18), followed by IVS16ins3kb (16.7%, 3/18). The clinical symptoms of all patients were relieved after the treatment, and the blood amino acid profile and biochemical parameters were significantly improved by gradually falling within the normal range. By June 2022, all patients had shown a good prognosis.Conclusion:The prevalence of Citrin deficiency among neonates from Henan Province by tandem mass spectrometry is 1/109 618, and the carrier rate for the pathogenic variants of the SLC25A13 gene was 1/166. The c. 852_855delTATG may be a hot spot variant among the patients. Discovery of the novel variants has enriched the mutational spectrum of the SLC25A13 gene. Above results have provided a basis for the early diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and genetic counseling for the affected families.

Objective:To investigate the application of (4R)-4-(3-[ 18F]fluoranyl-5-fluorophenyl)-1-((3-methylpyridin-4-yl)methyl)pyrrolidin-2-one( 18F-SynVesT-1), a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) radioactive tracer, in patients with Alzheimer′s disease (AD). Methods:A total of 20 AD patients (2 males, 18 females, age (66.4±8.1) years) with positive β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and 20 normal controls (NC; 9 males, 11 females, age (62.6±8.6) years ) without Aβ deposition were retrospectively recruited from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between December 2021 and December 2022. All of them underwent 18F-SynVesT-1 PET/MR and 18F-Florbetapir (AV45) PET/CT scans. Preprocessing of brain 18F-SynVesT-1 PET images was carried out using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). The differences of the uptke of 18F-SynVesT-1 (synaptic density) between two groups based on ROI were compared by using either the independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between synaptic density and cognitive performance. For voxelwise analysis, a general linear model was constructed to analyze differences in synaptic density between the two groups using the independent-sample t test. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model was developed to explore the relationship between synaptic density and cognitive performance. Results:Compared to the NC group, the AD group exhibited significant widespread reduction in synaptic density across the cortical regions ( P<0.05, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected), particularly in the medial temporal lobe (0.84±0.09 vs 1.04±0.09; t=-6.95, P<0.001), lateral temporal lobe (1.15±0.13 vs 1.31±0.08; t=-4.56, P<0.001), and lateral parietal lobe (1.24(1.04, 1.26) vs 1.32(1.23, 1.39); z=-3.25, P=0.001). Moreover, synaptic density in extensive cortical regions showed a positive correlation with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment-basic (MoCA-B) scores ( P<0.05, FDR-corrected). Notably, significant associations were observed between MMSE and MoCA-B scores and synaptic density in the lateral temporal lobe ( rs values: 0.71, 0.74, both P<0.001) and medial temporal lobe ( rs values: 0.71, 0.74, both P<0.001). Conclusions:18F-SynVesT-1 PET imaging is a valuable tool for evaluating synaptic density, specifically in the context of AD. The observed widespread reduction in synaptic density across cortical regions of patients with AD are closely related to cognitive decline.

Objective:To compare the localization accuracy of interictal 18F-FDG and 18F-flumazenil (FMZ) PET/CT imaging for focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 22 patients (12 males, 10 females; age 8-36 years) with pathologically confirmed FCD who underwent surgical resection at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from July 2021 to June 2023. All patients underwent 18F-FDG and 18F-FMZ PET/CT scans before surgery. Surgical pathological diagnosis was used as the gold standard. Visual scoring was used to analyze the images. The accuracy of the two imaging methods in the localization of FCD was compared, and subgroup analysis (FCD Ⅱa, FCD Ⅱb) of different pathological type was further performed. Paired- t test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test was used to analyze the data. Results:The visual score of 18F-FMZ PET/CT was higher than that of 18F-FDG (3.00±0.82 vs 2.27±0.92; t=4.17, P=0.020). The accuracy of interictal 18F-FMZ PET/CT was 77.27%(17/22), which was higher than that of 18F-FDG PET/CT (36.36%, 8/22; χ2=7.50, P=0.006). Subgroup analysis showed that within the cohort of patients diagnosed with FCD Ⅱa ( n=18), 18F-FMZ PET/CT outperformed 18F-FDG in terms of accuracy for localization (15/18 vs 6/18; P=0.006). Conclusion:Compared to 18F-FDG, 18F-FMZ PET/CT demonstrates clearer and more accurate identification of lesion borders, and exhibits higher precision, which provides valuable guidance for preoperative localization.

Objective:To investigate the tau deposition pattern in Alzheimer′s disease (AD) and its correlation with cognition by 18F-MK6240 PET imaging. Methods:From August 2021 to February 2022, 46 elderly people over 55 years old (16 males, 30 females; age (68.9±7.7) years) were included from outpatient and community in Shanghai. Structural brain MRI, β-amyloid (Aβ) PET imaging, tau-PET imaging and comprehensive neuropsychological tests batteries were conducted. The subjects were divided into AD group ( n=16) and normal cognition (NC) group ( n=30) according to the 2018 National Institute on aging and Alzheimer′s Association (NIA-AA) diagnostic criteria. Quantitative analysis was conducted to investigate the tau deposition pattern in AD after preprocessing 18F-MK6240 PET images with MRI images. SUV ratio (SUVR) of brain regions such as entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, insular lobe, frontal lobe, precuneus, occipital lobe, thalamus and putamen were analyzed, with cerebellum as reference region. The differences of tau deposition in brain regions between AD and NC groups were analyzed by independent-sample t test. The associations between SUVR and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) score were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results:AD displayed a significant tau deposition in frontal lobes, temporal lobes and parietal lobes compared with NC. SUVR of brain regions in AD group were higher than those in NC group ( t values: 3.37-9.61, all P<0.05). SUVR in brain regions were negatively correlated with MMSE score ( r values: from -0.735 to -0.350, all P<0.05) and MoCA-B score ( r values: from -0.723 to -0.367, all P<0.05). Conclusion:18F-MK6240 PET can demonstrate the tau deposition in the brain of AD patients, and the tau deposition is related to cognitive function.

Objective: To observe the safety of the Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation in treating patients with prediabetes and its effects on blood glucose and lipid metabolism.Methods: One hundred and two patients with prediabetes were divided into a manipulation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 51 cases in each group. All patients received the general behavioral intervention for prediabetes, with additional Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation in the manipulation group and oral metformin hydrochloride tablets in the control group. Both groups received the intervention for six months. Results: Fourteen patients dropped out during the treatment, and a total of 88 patients completed the trial, including 45 cases in the manipulation group and 43 cases in the control group. After the treatment, the prediabetes control rate was 93.3％ in the manipulation group and 74.4％ in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05); no patient in the manipulation group progressed to diabetes, while the rate of conversion to diabetes in the control group was 6.9％, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postload plasma glucose (2hPG) level during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment-2 of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) decreased in both groups versus baseline, with significant differences within the groups; the levels of all indicators were lower in the manipulation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the differences between the two groups were more prominent at the sixth month (P<0.01). At the sixth month, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the manipulation group was increased, while there was no significant change in the control group. In the control group, three patients reported mild gastrointestinal reactions at the initial dosing, which improved after medication adjustment. No other adverse events were observed in either group. Conclusion: Both metformin hydrochloride tablets and the Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation can improve blood glucose and lipid metabolism and reduce insulin resistance and clinical discomfort in patients with prediabetes, but the Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation has higher efficacy and safety.

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer. Combination of systemic chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade is effective but of limited benefit due to insufficient intratumoral infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells. Herein, we designed a lenvatinib- and vadimezan-loaded synthetic high-density lipoprotein (LV-sHDL) for combinational immunochemotherapy of metastatic TNBC. The LV-sHDL targeted scavenger receptor class B type 1-overexpressing 4T1 cells in the tumor after intravenous injection. The multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) lenvatinib induced immunogenic cell death of the cancer cells, and the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist vadimezan triggered local inflammation to facilitate dendritic cell maturation and antitumor macrophage differentiation, which synergistically improved the intratumoral infiltration of total and active CTLs by 33- and 13-fold, respectively. LV-sHDL inhibited the growth of orthotopic 4T1 tumors, reduced pulmonary metastasis, and prolonged the survival of animals. The efficacy could be further improved when LV-sHDL was used in combination with antibody against programmed cell death ligand 1. This study highlights the combination use of multitargeted TKI and STING agonist a promising treatment for metastatic TNBC.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and molecular alterations of malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (MGNET).Methods:Four cases of MGNET were collected at Fujian Provincial Hospital, from July 2013 to January 2019. H&E and immunohistochemical staining were retrospectively evaluated, together with genetic mutation analysis of EWSR1. The relevant literature was systematically reviewed.Results:There were two male and two female patients, with an age range of 34-81 (median 57) years. Tumor sizes ranged from 5-9 (median 6.8) cm. Microscopy showed diffuse and flaky growth of tumor cells, some of which were small and round. The tumor cells were arranged in solid, flaky, nested or pseudoadenoid patterns. The tumor cells were epithelioid, oval, short spindled, or small, with round or oval nuclei. The cytoplasm was eosinophilic or clear. Osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells were scattered focally. Mitosis was about (2-10)/10 HPF. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein (4/4), SOX10 (4/4), Syn (2/4), INI1 (4/4), H3K27Me3 (4/4) and vimentin (4/4). Ki-67 index was 15%-90%. Gene mutation detection confirmed EWSR1 mutation in all four cases, and C-KIT/PDGFRα genes were not mutated in two cases.Conclusions:MGNET is a rare high grade malignant soft tissue tumor. The diagnosis is based on clinicopathological, immunophenotypic, and molecular pathology features. The primary treatment for MGNET is complete surgical excision and chemotherapy; the prognosis is poor.