OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical manifestations and genetic characteristics of creatine deficiency syndrome (CDS) caused by GAMT gene mutations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and genetic data of two children diagnosed with GAMT deficiency-type CDS at the Children's Medical Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from December 2020 to December 2024. RESULTS: The two patients presented with symptoms in infancy, and both had compound heterozygous mutations in the GAMT gene. Case 1 exhibited seizures and intellectual disability, while Case 2 had intellectual disability and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of cranial MRI in both patients indicated reduced creatine peaks. After creatine treatment, seizures in Case 1 were controlled, but both patients continued to experience intellectual disabilities and behavioral issues. As of December 2024, a total of 21 cases have been reported in China (including this study), and 115 cases have been reported abroad. All patients exhibited developmental delay or intellectual disabilities, with 66.9% (91/136) experiencing seizures, 33.8% (46/136) presenting with motor disorders, and 36.8% (50/136) having behavioral problems. Seventy-five percent (102/136) of patients received creatine treatment, leading to significant improvements in seizures and motor disorders, although cognitive improvement was not substantial. CONCLUSIONS GAMT deficiency-type CDS is rare and presents with nonspecific clinical features. Timely diagnosis facilitates targeted treatment, which can partially improve prognosis.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Creatine/deficiency* ; Guanidinoacetate N-Methyltransferase/deficiency* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Mutation ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhabdomyolysis/genetics* ; Language Development Disorders ; Movement Disorders/congenital*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of rutaecarpine (RUT) on monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced murine peritonitis in mice and further explored the underlying mechanism of RUT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced gout model in vitro. METHODS: In MSU-induced mice, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each group, including the control group, model group, RUT low-, medium-, and high-doses groups, and prednisone acetate group. The mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days. The gout inflammation model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MSU to evaluate the anti-gout inflammatory effects of RUT. Then the proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proportions of infiltrating neutrophils cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. In LPS/MSU-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The percentage of pyroptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Respectively, the mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 was observed by laser confocal imaging. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking were applied to validate the binding ability of RUT components to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) targets. RESULTS: RUT reduced the levels of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6, all P<0.01). In vitro, RUT reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, RT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of RUT on the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, RUT markedly reduced protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-kinase α/β, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRPS), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 and cleaved-gasdermin D in macrophages (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecularly, SPR revealed that RUT bound to TNF-α with a calculated equilibrium dissociation constant of 31.7 µmol/L. Molecular docking further confirmed that RUT could interact directly with the TNF-α protein via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and carbon-hydrogen bonding. CONCLUSION RUT alleviated MSU-induced peritonitis and inhibited the TNFR1-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to attenuate gouty inflammation induced by LPS/MSU in THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that RUT could be a potential therapeutic candidate for gout.
Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Male ; Indole Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Inflammation/complications* ; Uric Acid ; Quinazolines/therapeutic use* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Gout/chemically induced* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; THP-1 Cells ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Quinazolinones

OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and potential mechanism of breviscapine on hepatic fibrosis （HF） in rats based on the transforming growth factor-β（1 TGF-β1）/Smad2/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1（ERK1） and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1（Keap1）/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1（HO-1） pathways. METHODS Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into normal control group， model group， breviscapine low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （5.4， 10.8， 21.6 mg/kg）， and colchicine group （positive control， 0.45 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group， half male and half female. Except for the normal control group， HF model of the other groups was induced by carbon tetrachloride. Subsequently， each drug group was given corresponding medicine by gavage once a day for 28 days. The liver appearance of rats in each group was observed and their liver coefficients were calculated. The levels of alanineaminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）in serum， those of ALT， AST， superoxide dismutase （SOD），malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH- Px） in liver tissue were detected. The liver tissue inflammatory and fibrotic changes were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1， Nrf2， Keap1 and HO-in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group， the model group showed large areas of white nodular lesions in the liver， obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition. The body weight， the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly lowered in the model group （P＜0.05）； the liver coefficient， the percentage of Masson staining positive area， ALT and AST levels of serum and liver tissue， MDA level of liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1 and Keap1 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the liver lesions of rats in each drug group were improved， and the above quantitative indexes were generally reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Breviscapine has a good intervention effect on HF rats， which may be related to inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad2/ERK1 pathway for anti-fibrosis and regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.

Gout is a metabolic disease closely associated with hyperuricemia and urate deposition. Because of the complex pathogenesis， high morbidity， multiple complications， and increasingly young patients， gout has received worldwide attention. Currently， western medicine mainly treats gout by lowering the uric acid level and reducing inflammation， which， however， causes serious adverse reactions and has contraindications. Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex （PCC） is the dried bark of Phellodendron chinense， with the effects of clearing heat， drying dampness， purging fire， detoxifying， and treating sores. Studies have shown that PCC and its active components have anti-inflammatory， pain-relieving， uric acid-lowering， and anti-gout activities， with extensive sources and high safety. PCC and its active components could prevent and treat gout through multi-targets and multi-pathways， whereas the systematic review remains to be carried out. Therefore， this paper summarized the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of PCC and its active components in the treatment of gout. The available studies have shown that PCC and its active components exert the anti-gout effect by lowering the uric acid level， reducing inflammation， alleviating oxidative stress， and regulationg intestinal flora， and protecting the kidneys. Particularly， the active components represented by alkaloids contribute obviously to the therapeutic effect of of PCC. Herein， we analyzed the problems and future development of the research on PCC， aiming to provide theoretical support and a scientific basis for the research and development of new drugs against gout.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Guanyuan Mingmen Sequential Acupuncture on rats with premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)model.Methods Female SD rats were divided into the blank group,the model group,the protein kinase A(PKA)inhibitor(H89)+acupuncture group,and the acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the POI model was prepared by gavage with Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets in the other three groups of rats.After the model was successfully established,the blank group and the model group were bundled once a day;in the acupuncture group,Guanyuan(RN4)point was taken during the intermotility period,and in the pre-motility period,Mingmen(DU4)point was taken;in the H89+acupuncture group,the intervention was performed in accordance with the acupuncture protocol of the acupuncture group,and H89 was injected intraperitoneally for 30 minutes prior to each acupuncture session.Continuous intervention was performed for 20 days.Samples were taken from each group of rats in the first estrus period and in proestrus period after intervention.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and estradiol(E2)during the estrous phase,Western Blot was used to measure the protein expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)and aromatase P450(P450arom)during the estrous phase,and the activity of granulocytes during the estrous phase and the proestrus phase were measured using the cell-counting kit 8(CCK-8)method.The immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the protein expression of pre-motility proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA).Results(1)Compared with the blank group,the serum FSH level of the model group and H89+acupuncture group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the E2 level was significantly decreased(P＜0.001);there was no difference between the FSH level of the H89+acupuncture group and that of the model group(P＞0.05),and the E2 level of the H89+acupuncture group was lower than that of the model group(P＜0.05);the FSH level of the acupuncture group was lower than that of the model group and that of the H89+acupuncture group(P＜0.05),had no difference with the blank group(P＞0.05),E2 level was significantly higher than the model group and H89+ acupuncture group(P＜0.01),still being lower than the blank group(P＜0.05).(2)The protein expressions of FSHR and P450arom in the model group and H89 + acupuncture group was lower than those in the blank group;the protein expression of FSHR in the H89 + acupuncture group was not different from that in the model group(P＞0.05),while the protein expression level of P450arom was lower than that in the model group(P＜0.05);the protein expression levels of FSHR and P450arom in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the model group and H89 + acupuncture group,but still lower than those in the blank group(P＜0.05).(3)Both GCs activity and average optical density value of PCNA in the model group and H89+acupuncture group were lower than the blank group(P＜0.05);both GCs activity and average optical density value of PCNA in the H89+acupuncture group were lower than the model group(P＜0.05);the activity of GCs and average optical density value of PCNA of the acupuncture group were significantly higher than that of the model group and H89+acupuncture group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Guanyuan Mingmen Sequential Acupuncture can regulate sex hormone levels,increase GCs activity and promote GCs cell proliferation by up-regulating protein expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)pathway FSHR,P450arom,thus improving POI.

Objective:To observe the effect of point application-invigorate the spleen and kidney, circulation of blood formula (PA) combined with five-animal exercise (FAE) on improving the nutritional status for asthenia of patients with dialysis, and provide evidence for the rehabilitation treatment of dialysis patients.Methods:According to the random number table method, a total of 80 patients treated with regular dialysis at Department of Nephrology, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from April 2020 to December 2021 were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 40 cases in each group. Participants in the control group received regular dialysis, basic treatment and diet nursing (RBD). Participants in the experimental group received RBD plus PA+FAE. Labaratory test results, Subjective Global Assessment scale score and Traditional Chinese medicine symptom score were measured at baseline and 12-weeks after the intervention. The Fried Frailty scale score was measured at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention.Results:The control group aged (54.08 ± 11.34) years old, 23 males, 17 females; the experimental group aged (57.38±9.89) years old, 19 males, 21 females. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of intervention, the Fried Frailty Scale scores of the experimental group at different time points were 2 (2, 2), 1 (1, 2) and 1 (0, 1), respectively, lower than 3 (2, 4), 2 (2, 3) and 2 (2, 3) of the control group, and the differences in time effect, inter-group effect and interaction effect were statistically significant ( F=105.76, 18.38, 46.67, all P<0.01). Further pairwise comparisons within groups indicated significant differences of Fried Frailty scale scores at different time points ( Z=-2.78, -4.01, -6.08, all P<0.01). After 12-week of intervention, the results of hemoglobin, serum albumin and serum prealbumin were (107.88 ± 15.58) g/L, (39.10 ± 4.92) g/L, and (289.36 ± 72.05) mg/L in the experimental group, respectively, higher than (100.15 ± 17.62) g/L, (36.93 ± 4.72) g/L, (255.63 ± 75.35) mg/L in the control group ( t=-2.08, -2.01, -2.05, all P<0.05). Subjective Overall Assessment scale was found a significant difference between the 2 groups ( χ2=10.91, P<0.01): the number of grade A (good nutrition) and B (mild to moderate malnutrition) were 36 and 4 in the experimental group and 23 and 17 in the control group. Traditional Chinese medicine symptom score was (4.68 ± 2.50) in the experimental group, lower than (9.58 ± 4.40) in the control group ( t=6.13, P<0.01). Conclusions:Point application-invigorate the spleen and kidney and circulation of blood formula combined with five-animal exercise can effectively improve the nutritional status of dialysis patients and reduce the weakness of patients

An elderly female melanoma patient who experienced severe liver injury after treatment with pembrolizumab and axitinib,which improved with glucocorticoid therapy.Through medication analysis and adverse reaction scale evaluated,it was considered that severe liver injury was more closely related to the immune checkpoint inhibitor,pembrolizumab.After a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between liver injury and immunotherapy,as well as the benefits and risks of immunotherapy for patients,immunotherapy was rechallenged 40 days after discontinuation of pembrolizumab.Restarting treatment with pembrolizumab after immune-mediated hepatitis poses a risk of recurrence of hepatotoxicity.After reviewing related literature,it had been found that the incidence of severe hepatotoxicity caused by rechallenging treatment was low,and the overall safety was controllable.Pembrolizumab had brought therapeutic benefits to patients,with no further immune-mediated liver injury of 5 cycles medication.This case can provide a reference for rechallenging immunotherapy after immune-mediated hepatitis.

Objective To establish the finite element model of spinal canal reconstruction and internal fixation,analysis influence of spinal canal reconstruction and internal fixation on spinal stability,and verify the effectiveness and reliability of spinal canal reconstruction and internal fixation in spinal canal surgery.Methods A 30-year-old male healthy volunteer with a height of 172 cm and weight of 75 kg was selected and his lumbar CT data were collected to establish a finite element model of normal lumbar Lo3-L,and the results were compared with in vitro solid results and published finite element analysis results to verify the validity of the model.They were divided into normal group,laminectomy group and spinal canal reconstruction group according to different treatment methods.Under the same boundary fixation and physiological load conditions,six kinds of ac-tivities were performed,including forward bending,backward extension,left bending,right bending,left rotation and right rota-tion,and the changes of range of motion(ROM)of L3-L4,L4-L5 segments and overall maximum ROM of L3-L5 were analyzed under the six conditions.Results The ROM displacement range of each segment of the constructed L3-L5 finite element model was consistent with the in vitro solid results and previous literature data,which confirms the validity of the model.In L3-L4,ROM of spinal canal reconstruction group was slightly increased than that of normal group during posterior extension(＞5％dif-ference),and ROM of other conditions was similar to that of normal group(＜5％difference).ROM in laminectomy group was significantly increase than that in normal group and spinal canal reconstruction group under the condition of flexion,extension,left and right rotation.In L4-L5,ROM in spinal canal reconstruction group was similar to that in normal group(＜5％differ-ence),while ROM in laminectomy group was significantly higher than that in normal group and spinal canal reconstruction group(＞5％difference).In the overall maximum ROM of L3-L5,spinal canal reconstruction group was only slightly higher than normal group under the condition of posterior extension(＞5％difference),while laminectomy was significantly higher than normal group and spinal canal reconstruction group under the condition of anterior flexion,posterior extension,left and right rotation(＞5％difference).The changes of each segment ROM and overall ROM of L3-L5 showed laminectomy group＞spinal canal reconstruction group＞normal group.Conclusion Laminectomy could seriously affect biomechanical stability of the spine,but application of spinal canal reconstruction and internal fixation could effectively reduce ROM displacement of the responsi-ble segment of spine and maintain its biomechanical stability.

The major histocompatibility complex(MHC)is closely related to immune regulation.MHC shows distinct genetic polymorphism,and there are also species differences in MHC restriction.The human MHC is called human leukocyte antigen(HLA),and the mouse MHC is called H-2.The construction of humanized MHC transgenic mouse models is an important strategy to overcome the differences in MHC among species and simulate the characteristics of a human immune response.MHC transgenic mice are mainly divided into MHC Ⅰ or MHC Ⅱ single-transgenic mouse models and MHC Ⅰ and MHC Ⅱ double-transgenic mouse models.The development of HLA Ⅰ transgenic mouse model went through three stages,at present,the strategy of knocking out H-2Kb and H-2Db or murine β2m is adopted to eliminate the competitive inhibition of HLA Ⅰ molecules by endogenous H-2 class Ⅰ molecules.In the construction of an HLA Ⅱtransgenic mouse model,the β strand of murine origin is knocked out and HLA Ⅱ class genes are inserted.With the optimization of construction strategies,MHC transgenic mouse models have been applied to epitope vaccine development,tumor treatment,and genetic disease-association studies,becoming a powerful tool for preclinical trials.In this paper,we summarize the relevant data on MHC transgenic mouse models,as well as the construction strategies used for MHC transgenic mouse models and their application in vaccine development and disease treatment.

Objective To investigate the associations of reproductive health indicators with lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)among women aged 40 years and above.Methods From Jul to Sep,2021,female subjects aged 40 years and above were randomly selected from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank for COPD screening.A questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic characteristics and reproductive health indicators.Linear regression was used to analyze the effects of reproductive health indicators on forced vital capacity(FVC)and forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1).Logistic regression was also used to analyze the effects of reproductive health factors on FVC as a percentage of the predicted value(FVC%Pred)and FEV1%Pred as well as on COPD.Results A total of 1876 women aged 40 years and above were enrolled with mean age of(62.1±8.2)years old,among them,78.1%were menopausal,and 40.9%had been pregnant≥3 times.Multivariate analysis showed that FVC and FEV1 decreased in postmenopausal women,but menopause was not associated with a decrease in their percentage of predicted values.Pregnancies≥3 times was a risk factor for COPD(for 3 times,OR=4.92,95%CI:1.48-19.95,P<0.05;for≥4 times,OR=9.06,95%CI:2.32-41.57,P<0.01),while pregnancies of 2 times did not increase the risk of COPD.Conclusion In women aged 40 years and above,menopause is associated with poorer FVC and FEV1,and excessive pregnancy(≥3 times)is a risk factor for COPD.