The doublecortin (DCX) gene encodes DCX, a microtubule-associated protein that plays a crucial role in brain development. DCX variants can disrupt microtubule binding and stabilization, interfere with intracellular transport, and affect post-translational modifications. A correlation exists between variant types and clinical severity. Animal models and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models simulating DCX deficiency revealed the dynamic progression of the disease, which has provided a powerful tool for investigating disease mechanisms and screening therapeutic agents. Currently there is no cure for DCX variants, with treatment primarily relying on anti-epileptic drugs and symptom management. Basic research is now offering new avenues for future therapeutic approaches. This article has summarized the potential pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for the DCX variants, with an aim to provide insights for clinical treatment.
Humans ; Doublecortin Protein ; Doublecortin Domain Proteins ; Animals ; Neuropeptides/metabolism* ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/metabolism* ; Mutation

Based on previous research on the promoting effect of dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOP) on hair growth, this study aimed to regulate the skin keratin penetration and hair follicle targeting ability of DOP through molecular weight and nano-carriers to enhance its therapeutic effect on androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Three molecular weight polysaccharides, namely high (DOP), medium (MDOP), and low (LDOP), were prepared by mannanase hydrolysis, and the corresponding liposomes (DOP-lip/MDOP-lip/LDOP-lip) were constructed. Studies have shown that DOP liposomes can effectively achieve follicular targeted delivery and promote efficient uptake by human dermal papilla cells through caveolin-mediated pathways. In the testosterone-induced AGA mouse model, LDOP-lip demonstrated excellent therapeutic effects, restoring the number and morphology of hair follicles to nearly normal levels. In summary, DOP liposomes show significant potential for promoting hair follicle repair through precise delivery and efficient cellular uptake.

Background Pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs) can cross the placental barrier to cause intrauterine fetal exposure, which may lead to developmental immunotoxicity (DIT). However, the specific effect of maternal PYR exposure during pregnancy on the cellular immune function of 1-year-old children remains unclear. Objective To explore the effect of PYRs exposure throughout the entire pregnancy on peripheral blood lymphocytes in 1-year-old children and potential sensitive window period of PYRs exposure. Methods A birth cohort was established by enrolling pregnant women in their first trimester and following them and their infants until one year of age. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the levels of PYRs metabolites, including 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA), 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4F3PBA), and cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2- dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (cis-DBCA), in the urine of pregnant women during the first trimester (gestational weeks 6-12), the second trimester (gestational weeks 21-24), and the third trimester (gestational weeks 33-36). Peripheral blood leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were measured in children at 12 months of age using the Coulter principle combined with flow cytometry. Exposure levels of PYRs metabolites in each trimester were divided into low, moderate, and high exposure groups based on the 25th (P₂₅) and 75th (P₇₅) percentiles. Meanwhile, participants were classified as having repeated high or low exposure if their metabolite levels were > P₇₅ or <P₂₅ in at least two trimesters, respectively, while all others were categorized as having repeated moderate exposure. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the associations between trimester-specific and repeated PYRs metabolite exposure levels and the peripheral blood white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts in children aged 1 year. Results A total of 336 mother-child pairs were included in this study. For the pregnant women, the total detection rates of maternal urinary 3PBA, 4F3PBA, and cis-DBCA across the three trimesters of pregnancy were 80.5%, 100.0%, and 81.3%, respectively; and median creatinine-corrected concentrations were 0.24, 0.36, and 0.42 μg·g⁻¹, respectively. In children aged 1 year, the mean WBC and lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood were (8.9±2.0)×10⁹·L⁻¹ and (5.7±1.6)×10⁹·L⁻¹, respectively. The results of the generalized linear model analysis indicated that compared to the low exposure group, the high cis-DBCA exposure group during the third trimester of pregnancy had significantly lower peripheral blood WBC count (β=−0.87, 95%CI: −1.51, −0.23) and lymphocyte count (β=−0.64, 95%CI: −1.15, −0.13); and the repeated high-exposure group of cis-DBCA had significantly lower peripheral blood WBC count (β=−1.34, 95%CI: −2.34, −0.34) and lymphocyte count (β=−0.80, 95%CI: −1.60, −0.01) than the repeated low exposure group. Similarly, the repeated moderate-exposure group of cis-DBCA had a significantly lower peripheral blood WBC count (β=−0.83, 95%CI: −1.59, −0.07) than the repeated low exposure group. Conclusion High maternal exposure to PYRs with cis-DBCA as the major metabolite exposure is associated with decreased peripheral leukocyte and lymphocyte counts in children aged 1 year, and repeated high-level exposure throughout gestation appears to exacerbate DIT in offspring. The third trimester of pregnancy maybe a sensitive window for children's DIT induced by exposure to PYRs during pregnancy.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential of different orders of magnitude single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus combinations for predicting distant kinship relationships. A high-density SNP locus set was constructed, and a comprehensive assessment of its inference capability was conducted. MethodsFirstly, we selected three commercial chip panels, CGA (Chinese genotyping array, Illumina), GSA (Global screening array, Illumina), Affy (23MF_V2 high-density SNP array, Affymetrix) and merged them after quality control, forming a high-density SNP locus panel(1 180 k). Secondly, we selected 161 samples and collected their peripheral blood samples by using whole-genome sequencing technology. Within this sample population, the levels of kinship relationships fully covered the range from level 1 to level 9, and the number of kinship pairs at each level was consistently maintained at over 50 pairs. From 161 samples data of whole-genome sequencing, the 1 180 k locus set was extracted, which is referred to as the high-density SNP locus set in the following text. The kinship inference was conducted using the identity-by-descent (IBD) algorithm with the selected optimal parameters. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of the high-density SNP locus set in kinship inference, we compared it with the three commercial chip panels, the intersection of these three chip loci, and the control sets constructed by randomly reducing the number of the high-density SNP locus set. Based on the changes in the IBD lengths, as well as the dynamic trends in prediction accuracy, we conducted a scientific assessment of the kinship inference capability of the high-density SNP locus set. ResultsAfter screening, a set of 1 184 334 autosomal SNPs was obtained. During the process of screening the optimal IBD length threshold, the result revealed that 0 cM, 1 cM, and 2 cM all demonstrated good applicability. However, to avoid the issue of a large amount of redundant information caused by setting a too low IBD length threshold, this study ultimately selected 2 cM as the optimal threshold. Compared with the average results of three chip panels, the high-density SNP locus set increased the total IBD length and the average IBD length across levels 1-9; the accuracy of the confidence interval for level 8 was 70.97%, which represented a 3.50% improvement; the average confidence interval accuracy for levels 1-8 was 91.39%, representing a 1.00% increase; and the false negative rates at levels 8 and 9 were reduced by 2.42% and 6.76%, respectively. The system efficacy of the high-density SNP locus set for kinship inference of first to eighth degree relationships reached 98.91%. Through random reduction of the high-density SNP locus set results, it is found that increasing the number of SNPs with the panel, the detection efficiency of IBD length showed a significant upward trend. At the same time, the overall trend in the accuracy of kinship relationship prediction as well as the confidence interval accuracy also indicated that both metrics steadily increased with the addition of more loci. ConclusionThe results show that the high-density SNPs panel significantly enhances the efficacy of distant kinship inference, accurately covering kinship degrees, with the average confidence interval accuracy for first to eighth degree relationships stably above 90%. The study finds that increasing the number of SNPs panel can improve the ability to predict distant kinship.

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of Xuebijing injection （XBJ） on severe acute pancreatitis induced acute lung injury （SAP-ALI） by regulating formyl peptide receptors （FPRs）/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 （NLRP3） inflammatory pathway. MethodsSixty rats were randomly divided into a sham group， a SAP-ALI model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose XBJ groups （4， 8， and 12 mL·kg^-1）， and a positive drug （BOC2， 0.2 mg·kg^-1） group. For the sham group， the pancreas of rats was only gently flipped after laparotomy， and then the abdomen was closed， while for the remaining five groups， SAP-ALI rat models were established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate （Na-Tc） via the biliopancreatic duct. XBJ and BOC2 were administered via intraperitoneal injection once daily for 3 d prior to modeling and 0.5 h after modeling. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta 6 h after the completion of modeling， and the expression of interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The amount of ascites was measured， and the dry-wet weight ratios of pancreatic and lung tissue were determined. Pancreatic and lung tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining to observe pathological changes and then scored. The protein expression levels of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue were detected by the immunohistochemical method. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the SAP-ALI model group showed significantly decreased dry-wet weight ratio of lung tissue （P<0.01）， serious pathological changes of lung tissue， a significantly increased pathological score （P<0.01）， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue （P<0.01）. After BOC2 intervention， the above detection indicators were significantly reversed （P<0.01）. After treatment with XBJ， the groups of different XBJ doses achieved results consistent with BOC2 intervention. ConclusionXBJ can effectively improve the inflammatory response of the lungs in SAP-ALI rats and reduce damage. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of FPRs and NLRP3 in lung tissue， which thereby reduces IL-1β and simultaneously antagonize the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Wenyang Huazhuo Formula （温阳化浊方， WHF） in improving reproductive aging from the perspective of the ovarian mechanical microenvironment. MethodsThe experiment included five groups， 3-month group （20 female mice at 3 months of age）， 6-month group （20 female mice at 6 months of age）， 6-month + WHF group （20 female mice at 5 months of age treated with WHF）， 9-month group （20 female mice at 9 months of age）， and 9-month + WHF group （20 female mice at 8 months of age treated with WHF）. The 6-month + WHF group and 9-month + WHF group were orally administered WHF 41.2 g/（kg·d） once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The other three groups received no intervention. Reproductive hormone levels were measured by ELISA. HE staining was used to count the numbers of various stages of follicles. Ovarian hyaluronic acid （HA） content and collagen fiber content were measured to evaluate the ovarian mechanical microenvironment. Superovulation was performed to observe the number of eggs obtained， as well as the number of offspring and birth weight to assess fertility. The in vitro fertilization and blastocyst culture of oocytes from female offspring in each group were observed to evaluate the effect of WHF on offspring reproductive potential. ResultsCompared with the 3-month group， the 6-month group and 9-month group showed significantly decreased serum levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， and luteinizing hormone （LH）， decreased ovarian collagen content， and reduced numbers of primordial and secondary follicles. In contrast， the numbers of primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles increased. The levels of anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， ovarian HA content， and the fertilization rate， cleavage rate， and blastocyst formation rate of oocytes from offspring were significantly lower （P＜0.05）. Compared with the 6-month group， the 6-month + WHF group showed significantly reduced serum levels of GnRH， FSH， and LH， with a significant decrease in primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles as well as increase of AMH levels， ovarian HA content， number of primordial and secondary follicle， egg count， and offspring birth weight （P＜0.05）. Compared with the 9-month group， the 9-month + WHF group exhibited reduced GnRH， FSH， and collagen fiber content， as well as reduced number of primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles. However， AMH levels， ovarian HA content， number of primordial and secondary follicle， egg count， offspring numbers， birth weight， fertilization rate， cleavage rate， and blastocyst formation rate of oocytes from offspring all significantly increased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWHF can significantly improve the ovarian reserve， fertility， and reproductive potential in offspring during reproductive mid-life and late-life stages. Its effect may be related to the remodeling of the mechanical microenvironment of aging ovaries. Moreover， the effect on the mechanical microenvironment remodeling of late-stage ovaries and the improvement of the offspring reproductive potential is more significant.

The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages(Mφ)is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis,and the degradation function of Mφ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes.In our preliminary experiments,we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2(NOX2)reduced the ability of Mφ to degrade engulfed tumour cells.Above this,we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch,which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours,to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells.We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mφ phagosomes,causing Mφ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS),thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation.Conversely,inhibiting NOX2 in Mφ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion,therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis,and subse-quently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens.We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox,blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox,thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2.This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mφ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis,and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of age on the genetic variant spectrum and prognosis of patients with previously untreated Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and follow-up information of 254 previously untreated DLBCL patients from 14 hospitals in the Jiangsu Cooperative Lymphoma Group (JCLG) enrolled from July 2018 and July 2023. Following extraction of DNA from tumor tissue samples, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique was employed to analyze the genetic variant spectrum of the DLBCL patients, with an evaluation of the relationship between age and genetic variants as well as prognosis. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University (Ethics No.: 2023-K048-01). RESULTS: The median age of the 254 DLBCL patients was 62 years old, with 55% of patients aged 60 years or above. Clinical evaluation showed that younger (< 60 years) patients had higher complete response (CR) (70% vs. 59%), and objective response rate (ORR) (88% vs. 79%) than older patients, though the difference between the two groups was not statistically. Survival analysis indicated that both the five-year overall survival (OS) (82.7% vs. 71.7%, P = 0.006) and progression-free survival (PFS) (70.6% vs. 50.2%, P < 0.05) rates were significantly higher in younger patients. NGS showed that 99.6% of the patients harbored genetic variants, with PIM1, KMT2D, TP53, MYD88, and CD79B being the most common genes. Age significantly affected the variant frequency of certain genes, with MYC variants serving an adverse prognostic factor for OS in younger patients (P = 0.002), while TP53 (P = 0.024) and BCL2 (P = 0.002) variants significantly impacted OS in older patients. Prognostic analysis identified age ≥ 60 years (HR = 3.439, 95%CI: 1.318~9.874), presence of B symptoms (HR = 2.871, 95%CI = 1.133~7.307), and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (HR = 3.528, 95%CI = 1.231~10.66) as independent adverse prognostic factors. CONCLUSION Age, genetic variants, and clinical factors may significantly affect the prognosis of the DLBCL patients. Younger patients have better survival compared to older patients. Variants of the MYC, BCL2, and TP53 genes are closely associated with poor prognosis.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Prognosis ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Genetic Variation

Objective To design an 8-channel gene analyzer to take the place of the widely used gene analyzer with problems in inconvenient consumable replacement and short storage time of electrophoresis polymer.Methods The 8-channel gene analyzer had its mechanical components composed of an automatic sample loading table,a polymer injection module,a high-voltage temperature control module,an optical module and an integrated U box,its electrical control system made up of a host computer(an embedded computer)and three slave computers(a sampling control board,a polymer injection control board and a high-voltage temperature control board).The automatic sample loading table involved in four motors and transmission systems for x,y,z directions and optical alignment,the transmission systems adopted mainly belt drive mode and the optical alignment motor had its threads with an anti-backlash structure;the polymer injuection module was manipulated by the polymer injection control board,and the polymer block was made of highly transparent acrylic material;the high-voltage temperature control module realized the regulation of electrophoresis voltage and the detection of electrophoresis current by the low-ripple precision high-voltage power supply,and controlled the temperature of the heating furnace by the proportional-integral-differential(PID)algorithm;the optical module consisted of an excitation module and a light-receiving module,which had the base of the reflector made of low expansion coefficient alloy material;the integrated U box had the electrophoresis polymer,capillary array,polymer block and anode buffer in a plastic housing;the host computer had the data acquisition software programmed with C# and C++,and the slave computers were controlled by STM32 SCM.Results The 8-channel gene analyzer had no significant differences with the widely used ABI3500 gene analyzer in resolution,precision accuracy and clinical results.Conclusion The 8-channel gene analyzer gains advantages in consumable replacement and storage time of electrophoresis polymer,and can meet the requirements for gene sequencing.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):24-30]

Objective To study the need for blood compatibility evaluation of medical devices that come into indirect contact with blood in order to accurately evaluate the risk of their interaction with blood.Methods Seven medical devices with indirect contact with blood were selected as samples including extension tubes of central venous catheters,port bodies of implantable drug delivery devices,infusion sets,receiving lines of dialysis equipment,auxiliary lines of left ventricular assist devices,blood monitors and catheter holders,with high-density polyethylene as the negative control,glass beads as the positive control and blank whole blood or plasma for the blank control.Partial thromboplastin time(PTT)test,platelet count test and hematology test(white blood cell and red blood cell count)were performed by direct contact method and indirect contact method,respectively.In the direct contact method,whole blood or plasma was in direct contact with the sample;while in the indirect contact method,whole blood or plasma was not in direct contact with the extraction solution,with no direct contact with the sample.Results With the indirect contact method the ratios(expressed as a percentage)of the PTT,platelate,WBC and RBC counts of the samples,positive and negative controls to those of the blank control were all higher than those with the direct contact method,and the indirect contact method had the sensitivity lower than that of the direct contact method.Conclusion Medical devices indirectly contacting blood have low risks for causing coagulation and platelet and hematologic adverse reactions,which are suggested to be evaluated for hemolysis testing only in case of the history of safe clinical use.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):44-49]