Metastasis is the leading cause of death from cutaneous melanoma. Identifying metastasis-related targets and developing corresponding therapeutic strategies are major areas of focus. While functional genomics strategies provide powerful tools for target discovery, investigations at the protein level can directly decode the bioactive epitopes on functional proteins. Aptamers present a promising avenue as they can explore membrane proteomes and have the potential to interfere with cell function. Herein, we developed a target and epitope discovery platform, termed functional aptamer evolution-enabled target identification (FAETI), by integrating affinity aptamer acquisition with phenotype screening and target protein identification. Utilizing the aptamer XH3C, which was screened for its migration-inhibitory function, we identified the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as a potential target involved in melanoma migration. Further evidence demonstrated that XH3C induces cytoskeletal rearrangement by blocking the interaction between the bioactive epitope of CSPG4 and integrin α4. Taken together, our study demonstrates the robustness of aptamer-based molecular tools for target and epitope discovery. Additionally, XH3C is an affinity and functional molecule that selectively binds to a unique epitope on CSPG4, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia(TIO)is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome in which tumor-induced osteochondrosis is a metabolic bone disease caused by increased renal excretion of phosphorus due to excessive secretion of fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23)by tumor tissue.We report here a rare case of TIO in which the tumor was found in the hyoid body and the patient had tertiary hyperparathyroidism.The patient's symptoms did not improve after removal of the tumor from the hyoid body,and the patient's hypophosphatemia was gradually improved after subsequent removal of the left parathyroid gland.TIO derived from the tongue tumor is very rare,and also subsequent tertiary hyperparathyroidism is even rarer.This report helps to improve the understanding of TIO and provides reference in the diagnosis and treatment of TIO.

For wild natural medicine, unanticipated biodiversity as species or varieties with similar morphological characteristics and sympatric distribution may co-exist in a single batch of medical materials, which affects the efficacy and safety of clinical medication. DNA barcoding as an effective species identification tool is limited by its low sample throughput nature. In this study, combining DNA mini-barcode, DNA metabarcoding and species delimitation method, a novel biological sources consistency evaluation strategy was proposed, and high level of interspecific and intraspecific variations were observed and validated among 5376 Amynthas samples from 19 sampling points regarded as "Guang Dilong" and 25 batches of proprietary Chinese medicines. Besides Amynthas aspergillum as the authentic source, 8 other Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) were elucidated. Significantly, even the subgroups within A. aspergillum revealed here differ significantly on chemical compositions and biological activity. Fortunately, this biodiversity could be controlled when the collection was limited to designated areas, as proved by 2796 "decoction pieces" samples. This batch biological identification method should be introduced as a novel concept regarding natural medicine quality control, and to offer guidelines for in-situ conservation and breeding bases construction of wild natural medicine.

Two patients with Gitelman syndrome were admitted to the Department of Endocrinology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The genomic DNA from the patients' peripheral blood was extracted and the whole-exome sequencing was performed to detect the possible mutations. The function of the mutation sites was analyzed by bioinformatics software. Through whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we have found that 2 patients with Gitelman syndrome carried compound heterozygous mutations of SLC12A3 gene, which were c.486_490delTACGGinsA, p.R943W, p.D486N, and p.R928C. Among them, c.486_490delTACGGinsA insertion deletion mutation causes frame shift and protein truncation. The p.R943W, p.D486N, and p.R928C of SLC12A3 gene were predicted to be pathogenic mutations by SIFT, PolyPhen2, and Mutation Taster. These 4 mutations were all reported, but p.R943W was first reported in Chinese population. Gitelman syndrome is rare in clinic and the rate of missed diagnosis is high. Early genetic analysis in patients with Gitelman syndrome is helpful to determine the etiology and guide the treatment.
Genetic Testing ; Gitelman Syndrome/genetics* ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 3/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

Although the functions of metabolic enzymes and nuclear receptors in controlling physiological homeostasis have been established, their crosstalk in modulating metabolic disease has not been explored. Genetic ablation of the xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2E1 in mice markedly induced adipose browning and increased energy expenditure to improve obesity. CYP2E1 deficiency activated the expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) target genes, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21, that upon release from the liver, enhanced adipose browning and energy expenditure to decrease obesity. Nineteen metabolites were increased in Cyp2e1-null mice as revealed by global untargeted metabolomics, among which four compounds, lysophosphatidylcholine and three polyunsaturated fatty acids were found to be directly metabolized by CYP2E1 and to serve as PPARα agonists, thus explaining how CYP2E1 deficiency causes hepatic PPARα activation through increasing cellular levels of endogenous PPARα agonists. Translationally, a CYP2E1 inhibitor was found to activate the PPARα-FGF21-beige adipose axis and decrease obesity in wild-type mice, but not in liver-specific Ppara-null mice. The present results establish a metabolic crosstalk between PPARα and CYP2E1 that supports the potential for a novel anti-obesity strategy of activating adipose tissue browning by targeting the CYP2E1 to modulate endogenous metabolites beyond its canonical role in xenobiotic-metabolism.

Objective:Kallmann syndrome(KS) is a complex genetic disease characterized by congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia. More than 20 genes have been reported to be associated with KS. Herein, we explore potential genetic aberration in 3 KS patients using the whole-exome sequencing. The potentially pathogenic variants filtered were validated by Sanger sequencing.Methods:Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 3 patients with KS and their family members. Sanger sequencing and pedigree verification were performed on the pathogenic variants identified using whole-exome sequencing. The function of the mutation sites were analyzed with bioinformatics software.Results:The proband 1 was a 25 years old male, characterized by lower gonadotropin gonad hypofunction, early grey hair and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. A heterozygous mutation c. 475C>T(p.R159W) of SOX10 gene was detected in the proband 1. His mother, sister and cousin who had KS phenotype were also found carrying this mutation, showing an autosomal dominant inheritance. The proband 2 was a 15-year-old male with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and unilateral renal agenesis. The proband was hemizygous for c. 844delC(p.R282Vfs*28) of ANOS1 gene, his mother was heterozygous for the mutation, which was consistent with the X-linked recessive inheritance. The proband 3 was a 21 years old female, characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia. A heterozygous missense mutation c. 149G>A(p.R50Q) was detected in FGF17 gene. The mutation p. R50Q was predicted to be pathogenic by the SIFT and PolyPhen2 programs, and has not been reported in HGDM database yet, which considered to be a novel mutation.Conclusion:KS is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease. In this study, ANOS1 c. 844delC, SOX10 c. 475C>T and FGF17 c. 149G>A mutations were found in 3 patients with KS by whole exome sequencing, which would expand the genotypic and phenotype spectrum of KS.

Objective: To explore the clinical phenotypes and the genetic causes for a 5 years old boy with unexplained growth retardation, developmental delay, special face, and hypothyroidism. Methods: Routine G-banding was performed to analyze the karyotype of the patient and his parents. In addition, whole exome sequencing and low-coverage massively parallel CNV sequencing (CNV-seq) were used to determine the potentially pathogenic variants as well as the copy number variations (CNVs). Results: The child′s karyotype was 46, XY, and his parents′ karyotypes were normal.However, CNV-seq identified a heterozygous deletion of 1.56 Mb on chromosome region 7q11.23 in the patient, including 24 protein-coding genes, which were associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome. His parents′ results of CNV-seq were normal, indicating a de novo CNVs. Conclusion A Williams-Beuren syndrome child presenting with hypothyroidism was diagnosed by CNV-seq, which would contribute to further understanding the clinical phenotypes and pathogenesis of this disease.

Objective: Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type Ⅰ(APS-Ⅰ) is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) gene. In this study, phenotype and AIRE gene analysis were performed in two patients with APS-Ⅰ. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from two patients with APS-Ⅰ and their families. All exons of the AIRE gene and adjacent exon-intron sequences were amplified by PCR and subsequently sequenced. The silico analysis was performed to predict the possible impact of the mutations on the function of the AIRE protein. At the same time, 100 healthy controls were selected to confirm the mutation. Results: Case 1 was a 31-year-old female who exhibited chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, Addison′s disease, Hashimoto′s thyroiditis, and premature ovarian failure. A homozygous c. 483_484insC mutation in exon 4 of AIRE gene was identified in this patient. Her parents, siblings and son were heterozygous for this mutation, which is consistent with the autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Case 2 was a 34-year-old male who had mucocutaneous candidiasis, Addison′s disease, primary hypoparathyroidism, and Hashimoto′s thyroiditis. A compound heterozygous AIRE mutation (c.179A>G/C.463+ 2T>C) were identified in this patient. His father was heterozygous for c. 179A>G mutation, and his mother was heterozygous for C. 463+ 2T>C, which is consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance mode. The c. 483_484insC and c. 463+ 2T>C have been reported to be pathogenic. The c. 179A>G mutation was predicted pathogenic by SIFT and PolyPhen2 software, which was not detected in 100 healthy controls. It has not been reported in the HGDM database and is a novel mutation. Conclusion We identified a novel AIRE gene mutation (c.179A>G), which contributed to further understanding of the pathogenesis of APS-Ⅰ. The clinical variation and rarity of APS-Ⅰ makes the syndrome hard to recognize. Early recognition of symptoms and screening for AIRE mutation in patients with APS-Ⅰ has important clinical implications for the diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To explore the correlation of PAI-1 and TNF-α and the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and coronary heart disease,and explore the role of metformin in the MS.Methods Sixty cases of old patients with the MS were chosen.These patients were divided into two groups at random.One group interfered with living style and metformin,the other group only interfered with living style.The activity of PAI-1 was detected by chromogenic substrate method,and the level of TNF-α was detected by ELISA assay.Results (1) The levels of PAI-1 and TNF-α in the MS patients [(0.95 ± 0.05) AU/ml,(24.81 ± 3.87)ng/ml] were significantly higher than in normal old people[(0.66 ± 0.10)AU/ml,(10.76 ±2.00) ng/ml] (P ＜0.001) ;(2)The levels of PAI-1 and TNF-α in the MS patients with CHD [(0.96 ± 0.05) AU/ml,(26.12 ± 2.83) ng/ml] were significantly higher than those in the patients without CHD [(0.94 ± 0.03) AU/ml,(23.71 ± 4.27) ng/ml] (P ＜ 0.05) ;(3)The activity of PAI-1 and the level of TNF-α in the metformin group was decreased significantly [△ was (0.20 ± 0.17)AU/ml,(4.42 ± 0.85ng/ml),P ＜0.01],and metformin can improve the components of the MS.Conclusions The old patients with MS is prone to develop cardiac vascular disease.PAI-1 and TNF-α participate in pathophysiology of the MS and its complication.Metformin can inhibit the expression of PAI-1 and TNF-α to suppress the components of the MS,and block the complication of the MS.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture combined with edaravone on the conduction velocity of sciatic nerve and oxidative stress in rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods 60 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were included. 10 of them were selected as normal group. The other rats were modeled as diabetic peripheral neuropathy with streptozotocin. 48 of them were randomly selected and divided into electroacupuncture group (n=12), edaravone group (n=12), electroacupuncture + edaravone group (n=12), and model group (n=12). The threshold temperature for wave tail was tested, the levels of superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were determined, and the conduction velocity of sciatic nerve were measured, before, and 4 and 8 weeks after modeling. Results 8 weeks after modeling, the conduction velocity and SOD increased in the electroacupuncture group, edaravone group and electroacupuncture+edaravone group compared with the model group (P<0.01), with the MDA decrease (P<0.01), while it was improved more in the electroacupuncture+edaravone group than in the electroacupuncture group or the edaravone group (P<0.01). Conclusion Both electroacupuncture and edaravone can inhibit oxidative stress and improve nerve conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve in rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and it is more effective of combination.