Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2) on the malignant phenotype of gliomas and its role in regulating ferroptosis sensitivity. Materials and Methods: The malignant phenotype of glioma was assessed by cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, EdU assay, wound healing, and Transwell experiments. We further validated the impact of reduced SLC3A2 expression on the sensitivity to ferroptosis in glioma cells through Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, flow cytometry, western blotting, and transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was used to explore how SLC3A2 affects glioma sensitivity to ferroptosis through the AKT/NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) axis. By establishing a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in BALB/c-nude mice, we investigated the growth of tumors following the knockout of SLC3A2 in glioma cells. Results: Downregulation of SLC3A2 suppressed the malignant phenotype of glioma by blocking the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes. On the other hand, loss of SLC3A2 not only downregulated SLC7A11 but also prevented the activation of the AKT/NRF2/GPX4 axis. These lead to increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides, ultimately enhancing the susceptibility of glioma to ferroptosis. Conclusion Our findings suggest that SLC3A2 is an oncogene in gliomas, promoting their occurrence and development. It plays a critical role in ferroptosis resistance through the AKT/NRF2/GPX4 axis.

Objective Aimed at investigating the effect and molecular mechanism of artemisinin on hemo-dynamics and vascular remodeling in monocrotaline(MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)rats.Methods 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=10):control group,MCT-induced PAH group(MCT group,60 mg/kg)and artemisinin intervention group(50 mg/kg).At 28 days after modeling,the right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP),mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP),heart rate and right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI)were measured to evaluate the development of PAH.HE staining and α-SMA immuno-histochemistry were used to observe the morphology and assess muscularization of pulmonary arterioles,and the percentage of medial wall thickness(WT%),the percentage of vascular wall area(WA%)and the proportion of muscular vessels were calculated to evaluate the degree of pulmonary vascular remodeling.The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and LDHA were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Pyruvate and lactate concentration in lung tissue was measured using pyruvate and lactateassay kit.Results Compared with the control group,the RVSP,mPAP,heart rate and RVHI were significantly increased in MCT-induced PAH rats(all P<0.05).Histological analysis showed that the increasedmedial wall thickness of small pulmonary arteries and vascular muscularization were observed in MCT-treated rats compared with control rats.WT%,WA%and muscularization degrees of pulmonary arterioles were higher in MCT-treated rats than those in the control group(all P<0.05),suggesting successful construction of PAH model.Compared with the MCT group,the RVSP,mPAP,heart rate and RVHI decreased in the rats treated with artemisinin(all P<0.05),accompanied with lower WT%and WA%(P<0.05),and muscularization of pulmonary arterioles was improved(P<0.05).Further study showed the mRNA and protein levels ofHIF-1α and LDHA in lung tissue of MCT-induced PAH rats were higher than those in the control group,the content of lactate and pyruvate and the ratio of lactate to pyruvate were higher than that in the control group(all P<0.05).However,the mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and LDHA in lung tissue of rats treated with artemisinin were lower than those in the MCT group,the content of lactate and pyruvate and the ratio of lactate to pyruvate were lower than that in the MCT group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Artemisinin improves hemodynamic and pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH rats through inhibiting HIF-1α/LDHA signaling pathway-mediated glycolysis.

Objective:To explore the relapse-related genes and their clinicopathological connections of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:Targeted panel sequencing was conducted on 32 eligible DLBCL samples; the patients were diagnosed, treated, and went into complete remission at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2015 to December 2019, including 14 cases with recurrence (relapsed group) and 18 cases with long-term complete remission of over five years (remission group). Clinical and pathological data were further reviewed. Fisher′s exact test was employed to compare the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and mutation patterns between the two groups.Results:Among the 32 patients, there were 18 males and 14 females, with a male to female ratio of 1.3∶1.0 and a median age of 53 (45.5, 67.0) years. In the relapsed group, PIM1 (11/14), KMT2D (7/14), PRDM1 (6/14), MYD88 (6/14), DTX1 (6/14) emerged as the most frequently mutated genes. In the remission group, while recurrent PIM1, KMT2D and MYD88 mutations were also observed, the TP53 gene exhibited the highest mutation frequency (6/18). Compared to the remission group, relapsed group showed elevated mutation frequencies of PIM1 ( P=0.013) and FAT4 ( P=0.010), alongside a reduced incidence of TP53 mutations. In all 32 patients, DLBCL with CD79B, CCND3, DTX1, KMT2D and PRDM1 mutations demonstrated a propensity towards advanced clinicopathologic stage. Conclusions:Relapsed DLBCL has distinctive clinicopathological and genetic features. PIM1 and FAT4 may be served as potential biomarkers for screening relapsed DLBCL-NOS and as targets for novel therapeutic strategies.

Objective:To explore the relapse-related genes and their clinicopathological connections of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:Targeted panel sequencing was conducted on 32 eligible DLBCL samples; the patients were diagnosed, treated, and went into complete remission at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2015 to December 2019, including 14 cases with recurrence (relapsed group) and 18 cases with long-term complete remission of over five years (remission group). Clinical and pathological data were further reviewed. Fisher′s exact test was employed to compare the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and mutation patterns between the two groups.Results:Among the 32 patients, there were 18 males and 14 females, with a male to female ratio of 1.3∶1.0 and a median age of 53 (45.5, 67.0) years. In the relapsed group, PIM1 (11/14), KMT2D (7/14), PRDM1 (6/14), MYD88 (6/14), DTX1 (6/14) emerged as the most frequently mutated genes. In the remission group, while recurrent PIM1, KMT2D and MYD88 mutations were also observed, the TP53 gene exhibited the highest mutation frequency (6/18). Compared to the remission group, relapsed group showed elevated mutation frequencies of PIM1 ( P=0.013) and FAT4 ( P=0.010), alongside a reduced incidence of TP53 mutations. In all 32 patients, DLBCL with CD79B, CCND3, DTX1, KMT2D and PRDM1 mutations demonstrated a propensity towards advanced clinicopathologic stage. Conclusions:Relapsed DLBCL has distinctive clinicopathological and genetic features. PIM1 and FAT4 may be served as potential biomarkers for screening relapsed DLBCL-NOS and as targets for novel therapeutic strategies.

Objective Aimed at investigating the effect and molecular mechanism of artemisinin on hemo-dynamics and vascular remodeling in monocrotaline(MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)rats.Methods 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=10):control group,MCT-induced PAH group(MCT group,60 mg/kg)and artemisinin intervention group(50 mg/kg).At 28 days after modeling,the right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP),mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP),heart rate and right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI)were measured to evaluate the development of PAH.HE staining and α-SMA immuno-histochemistry were used to observe the morphology and assess muscularization of pulmonary arterioles,and the percentage of medial wall thickness(WT%),the percentage of vascular wall area(WA%)and the proportion of muscular vessels were calculated to evaluate the degree of pulmonary vascular remodeling.The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and LDHA were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Pyruvate and lactate concentration in lung tissue was measured using pyruvate and lactateassay kit.Results Compared with the control group,the RVSP,mPAP,heart rate and RVHI were significantly increased in MCT-induced PAH rats(all P<0.05).Histological analysis showed that the increasedmedial wall thickness of small pulmonary arteries and vascular muscularization were observed in MCT-treated rats compared with control rats.WT%,WA%and muscularization degrees of pulmonary arterioles were higher in MCT-treated rats than those in the control group(all P<0.05),suggesting successful construction of PAH model.Compared with the MCT group,the RVSP,mPAP,heart rate and RVHI decreased in the rats treated with artemisinin(all P<0.05),accompanied with lower WT%and WA%(P<0.05),and muscularization of pulmonary arterioles was improved(P<0.05).Further study showed the mRNA and protein levels ofHIF-1α and LDHA in lung tissue of MCT-induced PAH rats were higher than those in the control group,the content of lactate and pyruvate and the ratio of lactate to pyruvate were higher than that in the control group(all P<0.05).However,the mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and LDHA in lung tissue of rats treated with artemisinin were lower than those in the MCT group,the content of lactate and pyruvate and the ratio of lactate to pyruvate were lower than that in the MCT group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Artemisinin improves hemodynamic and pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH rats through inhibiting HIF-1α/LDHA signaling pathway-mediated glycolysis.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of Crohn′s disease (CD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 52 CD patients who underwent surgical resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2014 and June 2023. Clinical presentations and histopathological features were assessed. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 17 of the samples, followed by sequencing and pathway enrichment analyses. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of frequently mutated genes.Results:Among the 52 patients, 34 were males and 18 were females, male-to-female ratio was 1.9∶1.0, with a median age of 45 years at surgery and 35 years at diagnosis. According to the Montreal classification, A3 (51.9%,27/52), B2 (61.5%, 32/52), and L3 (50.0%,26/52) subtypes were the most predominant. Abdominal pain and diarrhea were the common symptoms. Histopathological features seen in all 52 patients included transmural inflammation, disruption of cryptal architecture, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, varying degrees of submucosal fibrosis and thickening, increased enteric nerve fibers and neuronal proliferation. Mucosal defects, fissure ulcers, abscesses, pseudopolyps, and adenomatous proliferation were also observed in 51 (98.1%), 38 (73.1%), 28 (53.8%), 45 (86.5%), and 28 (53.8%) cases, respectively. Thirty-one (59.6%) cases had non-caseating granulomas, and 3 (5.8%) cases had intestinal mucosal glandular epithelial dysplasia. Molecular analysis showed that 12/17 CD patients exhibited mutations in at least one mucin family gene (MUC2, MUC3A, MUC4, MUC6, MUC12, MUC17), and MUC4 was the most frequently mutated in 7/17 of cases. Immunohistochemical stains showed reduced MUC4 expression in epithelial cells, with increased MUC4 expression in the epithelial surface, particularly around areas of inflammatory cell aggregation; and minimal expression in the lower half of the epithelium.Conclusions:CD exhibits diverse clinical and pathological features, necessitating a comprehensive multidimensional analysis for diagnosis. Mutations and expression alterations in mucin family genes, particularly MUC4, may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of CD.

Objective:To observe the effects of histone deacetylase 3(HDAC3)-nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signaling pathway on the adipogenesis of condylar chondrocytes in rats with temporomandibular joint(TMJ)osteoarthritis(OA).Meth-ods:60 6-week-old female SD rats were randomly divided into 10 groups(n=6):control,unilateral anterior crossbite(UAC)stimula-tion,UAC with HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966 injection(UAC+RGFP966)and UAC with Nrf2 agonist Bardoxolone injection(UAC+Bard-oxolone)groups.The animals were sacrificed at 4,8 and 12 weeks after set up of the experiment,and TMJ condylar cartilage was taken for immunohistochemical(IHC)staining of HDAC3,Nrf2 and Adiponection.Results:Compared with the control group,the de-generation of TMJ condylar cartilage in the UAC group was obvious,the positive cell rates of HDAC3 and Adiponectin were increased(P＜0.05),while the positive cell rate of Nrf2 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with UAC group,after injection of RGFP966 and Bardox-olone,the positive cell rates of HDAC3 and Adiponectin in TMJ condylar cartilage of rats were decreased(P＜0.05),the positive cell rate of Nrf2 increased(P＜0.05),and the degree of cartilage degeneration was reduced.Conclusion:UAC promotes the adipogenesis of TMJ OA condylar chondrocytes through HDAC3-Nrf2 signaling pathway.Local drug injection intervention of HDAC3-Nrf2 signaling can inhibit the adipogenesis and cartilage degeneration of TMJ OA condylar chondrocytes.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial potential of Ly-sZHSHW,a phage lysin against Acinetobacter baumannii infections,and to study its characteris-tics.The pET28a-Lys recombinant plasmid containing LysZHSHW coding gene was constructed by PCR,enzyme digestion and ligation using the expression plasmid pET28a as the backbone and ex-pressed in E.coli BL21(DE3).After confirming the expression of the LysZHSHW through West-ern blot analysis,its characterization and potential applications were assessed both in vitro and in vivo.The results showed that the pET28a-Lys recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed and the LysZHSHW protein was expressed correctly.The mass concentration of the purified en-zyme was 4 086 mg/L,which could be used for subsequent experiments.The enzymatic activity of LysZHSHW was determined to be 630 U/μg,with maximum activity observed at 25 ℃ and pH9.0.In vitro experiments demonstrated that 1 000 or 750 mg/L of LysZHSHW,in the presence of EDTA,resulted in a four-log reduction in bacterial counts without any cytotoxicity.In vivo,2.5 μg of LysZHSHW combined with EDTA could increase the survival rate of Galleria mellonel-la larvae infection model to 92.86％after 24 hours,and 0.15 mg of LysZHSHW reduced the bacte-rial load in the thighs of mice by 2.8 logs and alleviated the inflammatory response in muscle fi-bers.In conclusion,LysZHSHW derived from Acinetobacter baumannii bacteriophage exhibited characteristics such as stability at room temperature,alkaline pH,and safety,making it a promis-ing candidate as a novel antimicrobial agent.

Light adaptation enables the vertebrate visual system to operate over a wide range of ambient illumination. Regulation of phototransduction in photoreceptors is considered a major mechanism underlying light adaptation. However, various types of neurons and glial cells exist in the retina, and whether and how all retinal cells interact to adapt to light/dark conditions at the cellular and molecular levels requires systematic investigation. Therefore, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect retinal cell-type-specific transcriptomes during light/dark adaptation in mice. The results demonstrated that, in addition to photoreceptors, other retinal cell types also showed dynamic molecular changes and specifically enriched signaling pathways under light/dark adaptation. Importantly, Müller glial cells (MGs) were identified as hub cells for intercellular interactions, displaying complex cell‒cell communication with other retinal cells. Furthermore, light increased the transcription of the deiodinase Dio2 in MGs, which converted thyroxine (T4) to active triiodothyronine (T3). Subsequently, light increased T3 levels and regulated mitochondrial respiration in retinal cells in response to light conditions. As cones specifically express the thyroid hormone receptor Thrb, they responded to the increase in T3 by adjusting light responsiveness. Loss of the expression of Dio2 specifically in MGs decreased the light responsive ability of cones. These results suggest that retinal cells display global transcriptional changes under light/dark adaptation and that MGs coordinate intercellular communication during light/dark adaptation via thyroid hormone signaling.
Animals ; Mice ; Dark Adaptation ; Light ; Retina ; Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells/metabolism* ; Adaptation, Ocular ; Neuroglia/physiology* ; Cell Communication ; Thyroid Hormones

The number of investigator initiated research (IIR) is increasing. But the recognition and management of IIR in China is still in its infancy, and there is a lack of specific and operable guidance for the implementation process. Based on our practical experiences, previous literature reports, and current policy regulations, the authors took prospective IIR as an example to summarize the implementation process of IIR into 14 steps, which are as the following: study initiation, ethical review, study registration, study filing, case report form design, database establishment, standard operating procedure making, investigator training, informed consent, data collection, data entry, data verification, data locking and data archiving.